I’m Saved! Now What? - Part III

By Carla Cunningham
October 2, 2005

As we discussed in the past weeks, someone has accepted Christ in accordance with Romans 10.  They have confessed with their mouth that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again.  Perhaps they have joined a church.  But, now what? 

We discussed how many philosophies and doctrines abound.  On one hand you have the giving up all worldly possessions to become a monk view whereon the other hand there is the prosperity and faith movements.  Additionally, there is a plethora of denominations to choose from. No wonder so many Christians get so confused.

We turned to the book of Romans for answers: specifically Romans chapter 12.

We shared from Romans 12 about what comes next:

1. Present our bodies a living sacrifice
2. Do not conform to this world
3. Be transformed by the renewing of our minds

We talked about living sacrifices being an ongoing sacrifice to the glory of God.  We also discussed how a carnal mind desires to conform to the world in order to please the flesh.  A carnal mind cannot please God.  In order for the living sacrifices to occur and to be delivered from a carnal mind, a transformation must occur: the renewing of our minds.  We shared that this renewing comes from the Word of God.  The goal of this transformation is to make us more like Christ.  Note that this transformation that Paul is referring to is accomplished only by the Word of God. 

The question still remains, I’m saved! Now what?  The Word of God has the answer.  Let’s look at Colossians 3. Note that we are to read and meditate on this word so that will be obedient to God.

Colossians 3:1-17 (NKJV) -- {1}If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. {2}Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. {3}For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. {4}When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. {5}Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. {6}Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, {7}in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. {8}But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. {9}Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, {10}and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, {11}where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. {12}Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; {13}bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. {14}But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. {15}And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. {16}Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. {17}And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Paul again is speaking on the old man vs. the new man.  As the old man is transformed into the new man, changes in your lifestyle must come about.  Paul gives us a starting point if you will.  He states what behaviors are to be removed (anger, malice etc.) and what behaviors are to be added (kindness, humility etc.).    As we grow in Christ, that is become more like Him, behaviors that were so hard to avoid will become virtually effortless to avoid.   The Word of God is full of so much help and guidance to help us transform into the new man.

However, reading and meditating on the Word is not enough.  It is but the beginning of the process.  In order for the Word to accomplish this transformation, you must gain understanding of God’s Word as well as conviction to obey God’s word.  The Bible says in the book of Proverbs 4:1-7

1 Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,
      And give attention to know understanding;
       2 For I give you good doctrine:
      Do not forsake my law.
       3 When I was my father’s son,
      Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
       4 He also taught me, and said to me:

      “ Let your heart retain my words;
      Keep my commands, and live.
       5 Get wisdom! Get understanding!
      Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
       6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
      Love her, and she will keep you.
       7 Wisdom is the principal thing;
      Therefore get wisdom.
      And in all your getting, get understanding.

The Bible also tells us what to do if we lack wisdom. 

(James 1:5) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Now that we have understanding, there is another important step which is stated in the book of James.

(James 1:22-25) 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

So we now know that we need the Word of God in order to grow in Christ.  We must follow this process:

1. Read and meditate on the Word (Joshua 1:8)
2. Get understanding  (Proverbs 4)
3. Apply the Word - be obedient (James 1)

Last week I asked you to commit Joshua 1:8 to memory. 

(Joshua 1:8) 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.

In this verse, God is speaking to Joshua after Moses had passed away.  It is time to occupy the “promised land.”  God charges Joshua to be strong and courageous. Most importantly, God charges Joshua not only to meditate on the law, day and night, but to obey the word as well.  Let this verse serve as a daily reminder to feed yourselves with the Word of God.  Remember the process.  As the Word grows in you, so will your spirit and then your spirit will subdue the flesh.

I pray that the word of God dwell richly in you.  Amen.