Congratulations on your decision to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Leader of your life. This is the most important decision you will ever make in your life. As a new Christian you do not know all things. You do not know all things in the Bible. You do not understand all things about your relationship with Jesus. You must now start to grow into the ways of your new relationship with God. When you accepted Christ, you were assured of everlasting life with Him. You may still sin, but God does not forsake you.

When You Sin After Becoming a Christian

When you sin, you do not need to go through the process of becoming a Christian again. However, you do need to admit to God that you are sorry for sinning. God will forgive you and you can again renew your relationship with Him. Many times when you have sinned, you will feel bad until you ask Him to forgive you. This bad feeling is called conviction or feeling guilty. When you sin and feel conviction, this shows you that you are still in relationship with Him but you just need to be forgiven. Admit to God that you have sinned and that you are willing to stop doing them. Learn to quickly change your ways and do right as God leads you.

Be Baptized

Baptism is having your whole body immersed under water. It shows others that you are in relationship with God and that you want to live by Christian principles. Baptism shows that you believe in the DEATH (being lowered into the water), BURIAL (under the water) and RESURRECTION (raised out of the water) of Jesus Christ. Then, as you walk from the water you are showing you now want to live life in a different and changed way.

Get Involved With Other Christians

Living life as a Christian in relationship with God is not an experience you should do alone. You will want the companionship of others living the same kind of life. You may find other Christians at a local church or a local Bible Study group. You may find them meeting as a support group in a home or at some other place. You can learn a lot from others living the same kind of life as you. Their experiences in life will help you grow and your experiences may help someone else grow. Learn to love others who are on the same path as you. Being a part of a group of Christians also trains you in telling others who do not have a relationship with God what He has done in your life.

Read Your Bible and Pray

Start reading your Bible and praying every day. As you read your Bible, God can communicate with you. As you pray, you can communicate with God. Listen to Him! The Bible gives you strength to live each day. It would also be good to study the Bible with other literature, lessons or courses. Pray when you are tempted to sin and for other needs in life. Pray also when you are thankful and just want to praise God for what He is doing in your life. Listen and look for how God is answering your prayers.

Give Your Time, Skills and Money to Help Others

Give your time, skills and money to help others know God. As you give, you will learn that God gives to you too. Volunteer and be God’s helper by serving in a church or through organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. Or involve yourself visiting people in a hospital or nursing home. Be available to listen over the phone to someone who is having problems. Your skills and your money may be needed by churches or by individuals who need help with things such as setting up a budget or setting up their computer. People will come into your life that will need your help. God wants you to use every skill and ability you have to help Him relate to others. Remember, it is a blessing to give as God has given to you.

Develop Friendships

Start your new relationship with God by making new friends who are Christians and at the same time nurture relationships with those who do not know God. Some of these people may be your old friends who need help in meeting God and developing a relationship with Him. Talk to them about how God has changed your life and how He continues to help you change your life each day. Your old friends, your family and others around you will begin to see how you have changed and are modeling what it is like to have a relationship with God. If you live a changed life before them, God will help you tell them what that can mean for their lives.

Keep Going

There will be times of discouragement and disappointment in life, but do not give up. Keep going! God has plans for your life and His ways are always good for you even though you may not be able to see the results immediately. Talk with God about your problems and then find a mentor or partner to help you get through the rough times. Remember, God is always with you! He will never leave you!