Topic: How to grow as a new born follower of Jesus
By H.U Wenger
After you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, it is crucial that you begin to read the scriptures. Helpful is the Gospel of John to discover the healing character of Christ Jesus. The epistle to the Ephesians gives a very helpful outline of what happens when you became a follower of Christ.
In the chapters 1 to 3 the Apostle Paul shows very impressively all the blessings that are poured out over an individual who turns away from the dominion of Satan and follows the invitation of Jesus to come under his dominion. In the chapters 4 – to 6 the Apostle gives then very helpful and detailed advice on how to live now in the new life with Jesus.
I recommend that you carefully read the epistle to the Ephesians. Furthermore look out for a community of followers of Christ, who are adhering to the word of God. Should you have trouble to find such a church, contact the blog address and somebody will give you some help. In the following highlights I have outlined some passages out of the Epistle to the Ephesians that could be helpful, but it cannot replace the careful study of the Epistle.
Growth is something that happens naturally for us, if only we have the right nourishment and the love of God, which is the main catalyst for growth. Consult John 15 to understand growth. The branches of the vine grow naturally as long as they are firmly connected to the vine and out of the same connection results fruit. We do not need to concentrate on results, we only have to concentrate on staying in agreement with Jesus and the results will follow.
The power of Satan has been defeated in the cross and resurrection of Jesus. The devil is still furious and tries to devour the followers of Jesus, but the one who is now in our hearts, Jesus Christ, is much stronger than the devil and all his demons. In the last part of the Epistle to the Ephesians, Paul teaches us how to fight the dark powers who are just trying to deceive and to derail us. You will be encouraged and empowered by your personal study of the scriptures.
Highlights: As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no-one can boast. (Ephesians 2:1-9)
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed to and fro by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I do thank you that you have accepted me and have taken me out of the dull life without you and have given me citizenship in heaven. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit and for life eternal. Help me to stay focused on you and an eternity with you, while I am still living in this fallen world with you and for you. Help me to make your wonderful character known with my little life. Let this little life of mine shine for your glory. Thank you for your promise: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
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