Congratulations! You have trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior — this is the beginning of a brand-new life (2 Corinthians 5:17). Here are some key steps to help you grow in your relationship with Him:
In everything you say and do, let others see Christ in you and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to explain about your new attitude and how you have changed and the hope you have, but answer them with gentleness and respect, just as Christ would do. (Adapted from 1 Peter 3:16)
Let the standard for your thoughts, attitudes and actions… what you say, how you say it and/or what you do, be only: Is it Christlike? Does it please God and bring Him glory? If not, turn from it. Do a 180. It they aren’t (Christlike) or they don’t (please God and bring him glory) and you say them and do them anyway, you must understand His wrath. Make on-going repentance a part of you everyday life. Repent on the spot if you need to. Stay “turned to God” and away from sin with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Here’s some other great Next Steps:
1. Walk Daily with God
- With all the things you do every single day and many habitual activities etched in stone, make the time to get into God’s word and meditate upon it every day, without fail. Make it a part of your daily routine just like so many other things that you do every day, without fail. There are 24 hours, 1440 minutes and 86,400 seconds in every day, for all of us. You have time, make time to be transformed by the renewing of your mind in God’s Word.
- Read the Bible every day to know God’s truth — start with the Gospel of John. You can find some good Bible reading plans.
- Take God’s Word with you wherever you go by downloading the FREE YouVersion Bible App on your mobile phone. Listen to audio Bibles, create prayers, study with friends, and much more—all for free. Choose from multiple versions and languages on your computer, phone, or tablet. Click on the book, the chapter, the version and scroll to the verse. Highlight as you read. Get a daily Bible verse by push notification. Your Bible is always with you when you want it, but especially when you need it.
- Pray continually — talk to God about everything, with gratitude and honesty (Philippians 4:6–7). Pray for His will to be done in your life.
2. Be Led by the Holy Spirit
- The Holy Spirit now lives in you (Ephesians 1:13–14).
- The Holy Spirit is fully God just as the Father and the Son are fully God. He is your Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, Strengthener and Standby.
- It is His work to make you understand and live out God’s “Truth” and His will for your life.
- He teaches, convicts, comforts, and empowers you to live for Christ.
- Ask Him daily to guide your thoughts, attitudes and actions (Galatians 5:16).
- Do not quench (ignor) or grieve (cause sorrow or distress to) the Holy Spirit.
3. Understand Your New Identity in Christ
- You are forgiven (1 John 1:9), a child of God (John 1:12), and a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
- God’s acceptance is based on Christ’s righteousness, not your performance.
4. Expect Growth, Not Perfection
- You are on a journey of sanctification — growing to be more like Jesus.
- You will stumble at times, but God is faithful to complete His work in you (Philippians 1:6).
5. Connect with God’s People
- Join a gospel preaching Bible teaching church where God’s Word is faithfully taught.
- This is sometimes a little tougher than it seems. There are many so-called “Christian churches” that don’t do either. Do not be deceived. You may have to shop around. Remember, “the church” is not the buildings or the programs, but the people, the body of Christ. Christians should fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Christ and build one another up. Also know who they say Jesus is and how they explain salvation.
- Build friendships with other believers for encouragement and accountability (Hebrews 10:24–25).
6. Follow Christ in Baptism
- Declare your faith publicly through baptism (Acts 2:38).
- It’s a step of obedience and a testimony of your new life in Christ.
7. Develop a Habit of Thankfulness
- Gratitude shifts your focus to God’s goodness (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
- Take note during each day of the things you are grateful for and say out loud “thank you Lord Jesus!” and “praise God!” as they happen. Say those two things a lot.
8. Learn to Hear God’s Voice
- God speaks through His inspired Word, but also through the Holy Spirit, godly counsel, and peace.
- Test every thought and action against scripture.
9. Share Your Faith in Christ With Others
- Share it in a variety of ways… let others hear and see it through your actions… what you say and how you say it and what you do and how you do it. Show it to them and tell them about it. Do not be ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior].
- Let your life reflect Christ’s love, humility, and truth.
- Share your testimony and the gospel with others (Matthew 28:19–20).
10. Guard Your Heart
- The enemy will try to discourage or deceive you — resist him with God’s Word (James 4:7).
- Stay in prayer and scripture to remain strong.
11. Get Involved in Serving
- Use your God-given gifts to bless others (1 Peter 4:10).
- Volunteer at church, help a neighbor, or join an outreach ministry.
12. Commit to Lifelong Discipleship
- Following Jesus is a daily choice (Luke 9:23).
- Keep growing, keep seeking Him, and never stop learning His ways.
13. Renew Your Commitment to Christ Each Day
- Keep your commitment to Christ fresh and new every day, just like God’s mercies are (Lamentations 3:22–23).
- Never take it for granted and never forget whose you are and what He did for you.
- Live for Jesus every moment of every day and let Him be reflected in everything you think, say, and do.
- You will not be perfect — perfection is not attainable in this earthly life, but that doesn’t give you license to sin intentionally. Let the Holy Spirit help you with this. Repentance must be ongoing—a daily turning to God—because while believers are in the world, they are not of it. Jesus calls believers to a lifetime of repentance until the day He returns.
- Just strive to become more Christlike each day. Nobody is perfect but God.
- One day, as a born-again believer, in your new glorified body, you will be perfect — forever and ever. That alone is one of God’s greatest miracles.
14. Share the Gospel Truth App
- Other than your salvation, the most important function of The Gospel Truth App is to share it with others.
- Use the app as a gospel sharing hub where the Good News of Jesus Christ can be shared peer-to-peer in a variety of ways: text, email, URL, QR code, and nearly every form of social media — with just one click.
- Share with people you know, who know you — and also have the ability to “stealth” the Truth to those who desperately need to hear the gospel.
- The goal is for the app to become an exponential digital Gospel planter — as long as people keep sharing, the sharing never ends.
- Don’t underestimate your role in this. You are part of God’s plan to reach others with His truth.
- Jesus commanded us: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20).
- Tell the absolute, unchanging, and indisputable truth of the Good News of Jesus Christ — and let the Holy Spirit do what only He can do.
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