What the Bible says
Your new life began by grace. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). And heaven rejoiced: “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10). You did not earn this, and you cannot keep it by your own strength. The Christ you received is the One who keeps you: “they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28).
Now Paul says, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him” (Colossians 2:6). Growth comes through the Word. Peter writes, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable” (2 Timothy 3:16) for teaching and correction. Read it daily, for “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).
In the early church, “they that gladly received his word were baptized” (Acts 2:41), and then “they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). Baptism pictures being buried and raised with Christ, so that “we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Find a church that teaches the Bible, and do not forsake “the assembling of ourselves together” (Hebrews 10:25). You were not saved to walk alone.
Fruit comes from abiding in Christ. Jesus says, “Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:4), “for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). When you stumble, do not run from Him: “if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). Be confident that “he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). Keep listening, for “My sheep hear my voice … and they follow me” (John 10:27).
14 verses, King James Version
2 Corinthians 5:17
A new creature in Christ
17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Ephesians 2:8–9
Saved by grace through faith
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Philippians 1:6
He will finish the good work He began
6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Psalms 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Colossians 2:6–7
Keep walking with Jesus
6As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
1 Peter 2:2
Hungry for God’s Word
2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Acts 2:41–42
Baptism, teaching, fellowship, and prayer
41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Romans 6:3–4
What baptism pictures
3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
John 15:4–5
Stay connected to Jesus
4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Psalms 1:1–3
Delight in God’s Word
1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
2 Timothy 3:16–17
All Scripture is from God
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
John 10:27
Learning the Shepherd’s voice
27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
1 John 2:1–2
When you stumble
1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Luke 15:10
Heaven rejoiced over you
10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (public domain). Read aloud by Anthony.