Dear New Christian,
Welcome to the family! You’ve made the best and most important choice of your life and you’ve made the correct one.
As someone who is coming up on the two year anniversary of being born again at the time of writing this, I’d like to share with you what I feel is incredibly important advice based on what I have learned and experienced.
Ask to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. This is something that largely isn't taught in church or in Christian circles, but there is biblical basis for it. Jesus referenced it in Luke 11:13.
Don't avoid water baptism. It's a public declaration of faith in Jesus. I'm personally of the opinion that since Jesus was baptized, we should be too. It's a truly beautiful experience.
Read your bible every day. God’s word is water that washes you, and it is a love letter from God Himself, telling you how He expects you to live.
Pray multiple times a day. Make it a routine. I highly recommend praying as soon as possible after you wake up because it starts your day off on the right foot. Thank Him for everything you can think of, and confess everything you can think of that you ever did wrong. Ask Him to give you His interpretation of His word, and ask Him to fill and baptize you with His Holy Spirit to help you stay on the right path.
Find a bible believing church. And if that church teaches anything that is contrary to what scripture says, then promptly leave it.
Give up on the idea that you have any sort of control. That is an illusion. The only one who is in control is God. And He decides your path. Ask Him to lead you down the path He has created for you and to make your path straight.
Don't be afraid of trials and struggles. They can be painful, yes, but God has allowed them in your life for a reason. They are blessings in disguise. Through them you learn about others, you learn about yourself, and you learn about God. Through them you also learn to trust in Him and to rely on Him. They help to build and strengthen your faith.
Be prepared for people to judge you, to put you down, to attack you for your faith. I strongly believe we’re in the last days before the start of the tribulation and we should therefore expect that the entire world will hate us and want to kill us, because Jesus told us it would happen.
Get rid of old habits, hobbies, activities and past times that consist of things that you are learning that God does not approve of. For me it was television, movies, anime, video games, books, and music. Also get rid of relationships where people will tempt you back into these types of things, and won’t respect your new way of life and value system. It is a big adjustment, and the people around you often won’t understand.
Be careful of who you listen to. There are so many false teachers, people proclaiming falsely to be prophets, charlatans, wolves, liars, and vipers who appear to be Godly but are actually of satan. Honestly, all you really need is the bible and the Holy Spirit to help lead you to all truth.
Beware of all online Christian forums. You will find some people who are genuine, but you will find more people who are not. And those who are not will cause you so much grief, and headaches, and tears. They will slander you publicly and privately. Christianity is the only organized army that attacks its own. It’s disgusting, pitiful, and sad. You can join them, but I highly recommend you wait until you’re rooted in your faith and sure of your belief.
Abide in Jesus always. Trust Him above all. He is your best friend and your greatest comfort. Do not be afraid because He loves you and He will work out all things for your good. Be careful because there are wolves everywhere.
May God bless you abundantly and keep you.
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