Contending for the faith | Making Disciples | Equipping the Saints for Ministry

Now what, since I’m saved?

Welcome!

You are about to embark on a new, challenging but rewarding adventure. First of all, you have not joined some kind of club, but rather, you are now part of an unseen kingdom known as the kingdom of God.

You have not become a member of a social group of do- gooders, but you have become a member of a new family because you are now a child of God.

You have not become a part of some religious group, but rather you are now part of a new covenant that allows you privileges that will last for eternity (Matthew 5:3; John 1:12; Hebrews 12:24).

Your salvation is not the latest fad embracing the world around you, but a new beginning. It does not promote a religion, but a relationship with God Almighty. It is not a creed that consists of do’s and don’ts but rather it is a life that embodies power, purpose and glory (John 14:6; Romans 1:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6).

It is important to understand your salvation. First of all you have been saved from harsh taskmasters that were bent on your destruction. These taskmasters include sin, spiritual death (separation from God who is life), spiritual ruin which comes from the world (lust of flesh, pride of life, lust of eyes) and destruction from the enemy of your soul, Satan (Romans 5:21; 6:23; 1 John 3:8).

It is also vital to recognize that salvation does not just mean deliverance from that which oppresses and destroys but it also means you have been saved unto something. Scripture tells us that a person is saved unto good works, but what does that mean (2 Timothy 3:17; Titus 3:8; James 2:18)?

What Am I Being Saved Unto?When you ask Jesus to come into your life to save you, you had to confess that He is Lord (Romans 10:9 & 10). The term “Lord” means Jesus is now your owner, for you have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Since Jesus is your owner, He is now your master. This was a necessary exchange so your former taskmasters would have to concede their claims on you. You now only have to please one Lord and His name is Jesus. He is gentle, meek, humble and trustworthy (Matthew 11:28-30).

The Word of God gives all believers insight into what it means for their lives to actually belong to Jesus. For example Colossians 1:27 tells us Christ is in us and 1 Corinthians 1:30 tells us God has placed us in Christ who serves as everything we need in order to grow in our spiritual lives. All believers start out being placed positionally in Christ and He in them but it must become a reality of the heart, soul and mind instead of just an initial concept accepted by faith.

In fact, the key to understanding and maintaining the joy of our salvation hinges on our position in Christ becoming a reality. The only way that this joy can become real is that Jesus becomes the One who calls the shots, directs all of our steps and becomes our constant adviser and companion. As Jesus graduates from being Someone who simply saves us to becoming our personal Lord and God, we then can enter into a true friendship with Him. He said it best:
“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” (John 15:15).
As Jesus takes His rightful place as Lord, we will fall more in love with Him and will want to please Him by obeying Him. It is in obedience to Him out of love that produces a life of good works.

It is the good works that verifies a believer’s salvation, makes him or her the salt of the earth, the light of the world and brings glory to God (Matthew 5:13-16; Ephesians 2:8-10).

What Have I Got Myself Into?The question you might be asking right now is what have I got myself into? You might be thinking all I was told to do was say a prayer and I would be saved, but according to this information there is more. Let me ask you, why did you get saved?

Most people get saved because they want more out of life. Granted, many want to avoid eternal destruction but often people are tired of the life they are presently living and realize the path they are on is a dead end. In fact, their life has no meaning or purpose beyond today with all of its demands. You heard and considered the message that God had provided a way in which your life would not only be secure for eternity but also would change and take on new meaning. Can you honestly expect your life to change if your way of thinking, the direction you are going and the lifestyle you have embraced remains as before?

It is also important at this point to realize that you can’t bring about the change I am talking about in your own power, but Jesus can as your Lord. You see the beauty of having Jesus as our Lord is that the only requirement on our part is to submit to His Lordship out of love and obedience and He will work out all the details.

You might be saying that this sounds simple enough but what does it mean to submit to Jesus? First of all Jesus has provided all the tools you need to submit to Him.

He has given you the Holy Spirit who empowers you to submit to His will and leads you into all truth about what it means to know and please Him.

He has provided you with His Word that not only shows you what pleases Him but also allows you to know Him in greater ways as you see into His heart.

He has provided an access to the throne room of God where He can be constantly consulted about everything through prayer.

He has made you a new creation or, in other words, given you a heart that is towards Him. All you have to do is be true to your new heart, obey what you know is right, study His Word to get to know His will and way for your life and ask the Holy Spirit to make Him more real to you each day. This is how you submit and give way to the Lordship of Jesus (John 14:26,15:26-27; 16:7-14; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:14-16; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

There is also another valuable tool that must not be neglected to ensure proper spiritual growth. This tool is fellowship.

You must be in fellowship with godly people who can speak into your life concerning those things which are damaging or harmful, guide you through the steps of growth and challenge you to keep on the narrow path of truth as the world entices you to fall back into old or even new traps. Ask the Lord to bring the right people to you or lead you to a right church where you will be exposed to proper fellowship and instruction.

After all, not all churches possess the truth and not all Christians will have your best in mind. Trust your new Lord and Savior to work out the details as you make a commitment to grow in the knowledge of Him. He will not fail to do right by you (Proverbs 15:22; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Hebrews 10:25; 13:5).