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I’m Saved! Now what?
By Carla Cunningham
September 25, 2005
What happens after a person becomes saved?! He or she has accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior. They have confessed with their mouths that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again.(Romans 10) Now what? Yes they will go to church every Sunday. Perhaps Sunday School and Bible Study as well.
Now what? There are so many theories/philosophies like giving up all our worldly possessions to become a monk or nun; the prosperity movement and the faith movement. Which denomination/church should we belong to: Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Apostolic, non-denominational?
(Romans 12:1-2)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
We shared from Romans 12:1-2 about what comes next:
- Present our bodies a living sacrifice
- Do not conform to this world
- Be transformed by the renewing of our minds
We discussed how a living sacrifice occurs daily, in other words it is ongoing. This sacrifice involves denying the desires of the flesh in order to live in accordance with God’s Word- living based on God’s Kingdom
Hence Paul tells us not to conform to the world system. The Bible tells us in Romans 8
Romans 8:6-8
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
A carnal mind conforms to the world system and seeks to desire the lust of the flesh. As a result, a carnal mind has no desire to please God. The carnal mind is against God and will not submit to God.
All too often, Americans are more influenced by the media and the world system than by the teachings and principles of God. Our attitudes towards sex, marriage, family and morals in general are shaped by secular humanism. Although the Bible tells us not to conform, the church has indeed conformed to the world. Pastors appease their congregations by preaching what the people want to hear like prosperity and materialism. Holiness is no longer preached. Jesus is mentioned at the end of a prayer or on Easter Sunday. The worst part is that our youth are growing up not knowing the difference between moral and immoral behavior.
James 4:3-4
You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and[b] adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
This is why Paul went on to say that we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Our minds are renewed by the word of God. As we learn the word of God, our spirit grows stronger, conquering the flesh. As you can see this growth is not of our own doing but God’s. Renewing the mind to conform to God’s ways is critical if we are to please God.
Ephesians 4 gives us more insight into what we should do now that we are saved.
Ephesians 4:17-24
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of[d] the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Again, Paul goes back to non-conformance. Gentiles refer to those that do not know God. We are not to walk as they do. In other words, do not conform. The reason for the Gentile’s unholy life is the “futility (empty, without purpose) of their mind”. We are still left with the question, what do I do now? Paul goes on in Ephesians 4 to state how we should walk.
Ephesians 4:25-32
25 Therefore, putting away lying, “ Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,”[e] for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”:[f] do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
In other words, stop lying; be cool; don’t hold a grudge; clean out your mouth; Speak words of exhortation; learn to lift up one another; stand up for righteousness- do not let unholiness abound around you. What does this mean? If you are the head of a household for example, then no one in your house should be permitted to live an unholy life in your house. Consider the priest Eli in Samuel. He allowed his sons who served as priest to live unholy in the temple. He did not take a stand for God. In the end, God not only punished the sons, but the father as well. (I Samuel 2:22-25, 3:11-14)
Final thoughts:
Study the word of God so that it may feed your spirit. The Holy Spirit will teach you so that you will have understanding. As you walk in life, the Holy Spirit will bring back to your memory what you have learned so that you may apply it to your life. Your flesh will become subject to the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said “If you love me keep my commandments.” (John 15) So learn of God.
Challenge:
Commit this verse to your memory and meditate on it. Get into the habit of consulting God before making decisions.
Joshua 1:8 (New King James Version)
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Prayer:
Father, teach us your word so that we may not sin against you but rather grow in faith as we learn of you. Help our unbelief during out trials and tribulations that we may learn to trust you more and that our lives will be a testimony to your greatness, grace, love and compassion. We give you glory, honor and praise. In Jesus name, amen.