How to Begin the Christian Life: First Steps for New Believers - Softcover

G. Sweeting

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0802436269 ISBN 13: 9780802436269

Publisher: Moody Press,U.S., 1976

Synopsis

Beginnings-they're crucial! Houses need strong foundations. Races are won by strong starts just as much as fast finishes. The beginning of your Christian life is no different. A strong start to your Christian life is not only pleasing to our Lord but will help equip you for what lies ahead. The future will be exciting-but challenging. Will you be ready? How to Begin the Christian Life is a modern classic. With more than 400,000 copies in print it has already helped tens of thousands begin their Christian lives. Now let it help you or someone you know. Are you unsure if you're a Christian? Do you want to know how to pray, study the Bible, or handle trouble? Are you interested in God's principles for giving financially to the church? This little handbook will give you reliable scriptural guidance in these and other areas of Christian living.

About this title

About the Author

DR. GEORGE SWEETING is the former president and chancellor of the Moody Bible Institute (1971-1999) and is currently Chancellor Emeritus. As a world-renowned evangelist, pastor, teacher, and writer, few are better equipped to explain how to grow in your salvation. How to Begin the Christian Life is a modern classic with more than a million copies in print in English and other languages.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

As a newborn baby is cared for in the physical world, you need to be helped spiritually. Let me list four helpful suggestions that I will enlarge upon in later chapters.

1. Read the Bible systematically. What food is to the body, the Bible is your new spiritual life. At a prescribed time, in a quiet place, each day should start with the Bible. This is a must if you are to grow in the things of God. The gospel of John is a good place for you to begin. Remember, at least a chapter a day! D.L. Moody said, "The Bible will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from Bible." A chapter a day will certainly help to keep sin away.

2. Learn to pray. Prayer is the communion of the believer with God; we speak to God, but He also speaks to us. Prayer is not merely asking favors of God but, rather, waiting in quietness before Him. Pray for personal cleansing and victory over evil: pray for yourself and pray for others.

3. Use every opportunity to confess Christ before the world. In a winsome way, immediately tell someone of your spiritual decision. Activity strengthens. When believers share with others, they develop an appetite for Bible study. The result of their speaking to others of their new life will provide daily, up-to-date subjects for prayer. When a new Christian begins working, everything comes into proper focus. R. A. Torrey said, "The more you make of Jesus Christ, the more he will make of you. It will save you from many temptations if the fact is clearly known that you are one who acknowledges Christ as Lord of all things."

4. Become part of a local church. If a mother permits her children to grow up in idleness, the result will be unprepared children. Since the Christian's responsibilities toward other believers is clear, waiting only forms bad habits. The Bible says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some" (Hebrew 10:25). Your faithful church attendance will help you in spiritual growth. Find a fellowship that gives full allegiance to Jesus Christ and the Word of God, and become part of it.If you follow these four Bible steps, Christian growth is promised. You will be sure to meet temptations, but you need not yield or fall to them, for God has promised, "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). If you do fall, ask for immediate forgiveness. "If we confess our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). if you fall, do not remain defeated, but get up and go on. Perhaps right now you are facing a battle with some attitude or habit; remember that Christ is ready to help you, and He has all power in heaven and earth. Another secret of successful Christian living is to keep your eyes on Christ. The best of Christians will fail you, but never forget - "Jesus never fails." Congratulations on your decision to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior. Now strive to follow these first steps. Starting right is a key tp spiritual growth.

Edition details

• Publisher: Moody Press,U.S.
• Publication date: 1976
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0802436269
• ISBN 13: 9780802436269
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 159