The wind is moving but I am standing still
A life of pages waiting to be filled
A heart that’s hopeful a head that’s full of dreams
But this becoming is harder than it seems
Feels like I’m
Looking for a reason
Roamin’ through the night to find
My place in this world My place in this world
Not a lot to lean on
I need your light to help me find
My place in this world My place in this world
If there are millions down on their knees
Among the many can you still hear me
Hear me asking where do I belong?
Is there a vision that I can call my own?
Show me, I’m
Looking for a reason
Roamin’ through the night to find
My place in this world My place in this world
Not a lot to lean on
I need your light to help me find
My place in this world My place in this world
“Place In This World” By Michael W. Smith
BECOMING A CHRISTIAN
IS A DECISION YOU MAKE
BUT WHERE DO I START,
YOU ASK?
Start with Confession: Confession is good for the soul. How many times have you done something wrong, or against someone else and you just feel lousy. Well, when you come clean doesn’t it do your heart good to confess and say your sorry…what a weight is lifted off your shoulders. 1 John 1:8-9, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”, Romans 3:23. You know your sins, You know what you’ve done that isn’t right…Just ask Jesus to forgive you of those wrong doings….and don’t do them ever again…you will be forgiven and then take it from there.
Next know that Jesus died for you: When you understand what Jesus did for you and me and everybody, when he died on the cross and suffered copious amounts of pain for all the sins we’ve committed, the suffering that you and I should be getting; when you understand that kind of love that someone should lay down his life so that you can live, John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”, well there is just nothing greater! You know, “God did not send His Son (Jesus) into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him (Jesus) might be saved.” John 3:17. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” John 10:10-11.
Next, you Change. When you change you become a different person…You don’t do the same old things you used to. It’s like being born again…not from your mother’s womb, but by the Holy Spirit. It’s an inward transformation that is seen on the outside. 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” This doesn’t mean that a person’s lusts, temptations, and carnal thoughts dissolve. Those struggles still rage on…but the difference is that in Christ, with Christ, the practice of those habits become less and less until they are gone and you just don’t let them enter your mind, because you let Christ be your centre focus and you keep you heart, body and mind on Him.
So after you’ve changed…you know what you have as part of your arsenal, you have Compassion. Because of God’s love for you, you begin to have love for others. You see more clearly other’s struggles and circumstances and you have concern for them. 1 Peter 3:8-9, “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” Remember Satan just hates that, because he wants us to hurt, harm and even kill each other. The surest way of receiving a blessing is be a blessing to others. God doesn’t want His people just to think the right way He wants us to live the right way when we interact with one another.
Ok, having said all that, as a Christian you will have Conflict. Some people will think you came from the other side of the tracks. Some will think you’ve failed the team. Some will think you’ve gone nuts. But little by little you will win the battles. In today’s society three hot topics for conflict might be abortion, gay lifestyles and religious differences. People will despise you because you no longer support their way of thinking. Psalm 37:14, “The wicked have drawn the sword and bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to slay those who are of upright conduct.” People will try to deceive you on many levels, but you don’t give in and give up. No matter what the conflict, God calls us to love others as they are and to pray that He will do a work in their lives as He has done in yours. No matter how the conflict turns out, you can walk away with a clear conscience before God, knowing that his appraisal is, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21. When your roots are deep in Christ, there is no need to worry how strong the winds are. God’s grace is infinite, endless and amazing. It’s the same grace that keeps us from losing our souls to hell and also keeps us from losing our temper in the office. It’s more than enough for the problems you’ll face today.
Lastly, when becoming a Christian your Conduct is key. How are you perceived by others around you. Do you make a difference, because now you are different. Does Christ shine through how you live your life, because now you are happier. You don’t sin, You cannot sin, because you are now born of God. You cannot rebel against God and do what you want, because deep down Christ is in you and Christ had no sin. I’m not saying that you won’t have failures because as humans we do and will, but Christ is right there to pick you up again. Hebrews 13:5-6 says, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said “I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” This is a strong promise from Jesus to all who trust in Him. Keep praying asking for forgiveness for your set-backs but keep going, all the way to heaven. When others see the difference in you, they will want to know why…now you can tell them.
Being a Christian is no walk in the park. The road you walk will be narrow, but it will be the right road. The only Christ most people will ever see is the Christ they see in us. Pray the Prayer of Salvation on the front page of this site. Get started walking with Christ, read God’s word and He will teach you to be glorious!