Your First Step of Christian Faith
Wish you knew Jesus more deeply?
Or do you know that you want to (or should) get around to growing spiritually, but don’t know how?
The good news is it’s a process. In fact, growing closer to Christ is something you’ll do for the rest of your life.
You will always have something more to learn about Him, and like any other relationship, it will change over time.
It’s vital to have a strong, solid beginning, though.
If you imagine your growth in Christ like a plant, you want it to flourish. But it all begins somewhere. For a plant, a seed must sprout and develop a healthy root system.
The seed of your faith
Today, let’s consider the seed of your faith.
The very first step in your spiritual growth includes a beginning. (That’s why it’s the very first step!)
What does this beginning involve? At some point in your life, a seed of faith has been planted. You’ve heard about Jesus. And once you’ve heard about Jesus, you have a choice you need to make.
Will you believe in Him? Or not?
Do you believe?
If you choose to believe it Him, you ask Him to save you from your sins … and save you from yourself. Asking Him to save you includes admitting that you need saving; you acknowledge what you’ve done wrong and ask Him to forgive you. The churchy word for this is asking Jesus to be your Savior. And another churchy word for this saving is called salvation.
Along with asking Jesus to be your Savior, you also acknowledge Him as Lord of your life. Just like it sounds, asking Him to be Lord means that He’s in control now. He’s the boss. You might want to look at it as asking Christ to take the driver’s seat in your life.
Releasing your imagined control
Just like driving doesn’t look pretty if you ask someone to drive your car while you also insist on staying in the driver’s seat, you’ve got to move over. Let Christ take the wheel and steer you in the direction He has in mind.
Today, you’re probably fully aware that when you take control of your life, situations don’t end up the way you’d like. (Also, are you ever truly in control? This perception can be frustrating when life feels so out of control.)
The good news is that you don’t have to live in a constant state of wondering if you’ve made a right decision or not. You can release your life to Jesus and trust that He will guide you.
When you do this, you’ll undoubtedly live in a way that’s different than you could ever expect or imagine. But He uses circumstances and experiences to work through you, for His good. And His good is really, really good.
One of two choices
This very first step of faith is not complicated. In fact, it’s quite simple! But a choice is necessary. Opting to not make a choice isn’t just abstaining … it’s choosing against Him.
If you decide you would like Him to take control, ask Him to save you from yourself and save you from life without Him. Just talk to Him. Ask Him to lead you as your Lord.
Can’t remember doing this before? Right now is the perfect time! Go ahead and take some time to talk with Him.
Believing and receiving
Romans 10:9-10 clearly explains, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
And that is the first step in your spiritual growth, or what can be considered your saving faith. Know who Jesus is. Believe in Him. Receive Him as your Lord and Savior.
Once He’s saved you, there’s no telling what He’ll doing in you and through you! You can take a deep exhale … you’ve trusted Him and He’ll take care of you forever.
- Your First Step of Christian Faith - July 25
- A Change to Help You - July 21
- Feel uncertain? Guess what never changes! - June 4
