Growing in Your Relationship (#2)

After you accept the free gift of salvation, you should commit to following Christ and begin a journey of knowledge.  Read about why in Growing Your Relationship – Part 1.

Growing in Your Relationship – Part 2

Here are a few more simple steps to help you on that journey.

Give.  In the Old Testament the Israelites were required to tithe.  Under the new covenant, believers today are no longer required to, but we are commanded to give.  Jesus tells us that freely we were given, so freely we should give.   If the Israelites gave ten percent then you, who has been blessed with redemption in Jesus Christ, should give much more.  If you give to others when they need it, God will ensure that others give to you when you are in need.  Jesus promises that if you give, it will be given back to you “a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap”.  I recommend you give to the church, but don’t stop there.  Give to the hungry, poor and needy.  Give to those serving in the ministry.  Give your time and talents by volunteering.  I promise that you will discover how much greater it is to give than to receive.

Love.  God loves you.  His love is deep, passionate, and intense.  He loves you so much that He willingly sent His son to die for you.  He commands you to love others in that same way.  Jesus says we are to “love each other as I have loved you”.  It is not always easy to show love, especially in the world we live in today, but remember that God showed His love for you while you were still a sinner.  The Apostle Paul explains that we are to treat others with humility, gentleness, and patience.  I recommend that you daily ask God to show you how much He loves His children so that you can see others through His eyes.  Start praying for those that persecute you and try to always put someone else’s needs above your own.  If you do this God will abide in you and His love will be perfected.

Next Steps.  As you are now growing in your relationship with Christ, there are a few more steps that you should consider taking.  The first is being baptized.  This serves as a public act of obedience to Jesus and an outward declaration of your faith.  You should then seek to discover your spiritual gift.  A spiritual gift is a supernatural ability given to you at salvation through the Holy Spirit.  This could be something such as faith, teaching, serving, or exhortation and is meant to both benefit you on a spiritual level and glorify God.  Lastly, we need to tell others about our Savior.  Jesus commanded that each one of us is to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”.  When you truly understand how amazing your Father in Heaven really is, you won’t be able to stay quiet about Him!

This journey that you have begun is so exciting!  There may be moments of fear or doubt but remember that God gives us His Word so that you can be “thoroughly equipped for every good work”.  If you mess up, it doesn’t matter.  God is full of mercy, forgiveness, and compassion.  He loves you and now you get to spend the rest of your days learning how to return that love.