Aug 11

Written by: Russell
Thursday, August 11, 2011 12:37 PM 

What Happens After We Are Born Again?

When we receive Christ, and are thereby "born again", we are adopted into the family of God. He is our Father, and we are His sons and daughters. The Holy Spirit has taken residence inside of us, and strives to lead us, and thereby change us to be like Christ. We are each one an important ‘project’ to the Lord. In Ephesians 2:10 we are referred to as “His workmanship”.

What God Does

The Holy Spirit, Who led us to receive Christ (Jn 1:12) will strive to continue to lead us in all areas of life (Rom 8:14). The Holy Spirit -

• Uses the Bible to educate us in the ways of God. (John 16:13)
• Uses mature believers to teach us what they were taught by the Holy Spirit. (1Cor. 3:6-9; 2 Tim. 2:2; Heb. 13:7) We are also warned not to blindly follow those who teach us, but to check what they teach. (Heb. 13:7)  We are to rely on the Holy Spirit to help us identify Truth and error.(John 16:13)
• Shows us the difference between doing as we please (what the bible refers to as “walking after the flesh” or to be “carnally minded” – Rom. 8:1-7), and doing what we learn is ‘God’s way’ (what the bible refers to as “walking after the Spirit” or to be “spiritually minded”).
• Leads each believer to be “spiritually minded” (Rom. 8:6). In other words to look at all things the way God does; and to have the same values as He does in ALL things.

The Scriptures that are quoted above read as follows:

John 1:12  But as many as received him (Christ), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Romans 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
1Corinthians 3:6-9   ⁶  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
⁷  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
⁸  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
⁹  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
2Timothy 2:2  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Hebrews 13:7  Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
John 16:13   Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Romans 8:1-7   ¹  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
²  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
³  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
⁴  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
⁵  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
⁶  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, neither indeed can be.

What I Must Do

Read and study the Bible relying on the Holy Spirit to guide your understanding. (Romans 8:14)

Consider the example of the Berean believers. In Acts 17:11we read that the Apostle Paul praised these believers because, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

The believers in Berea didn’t blindly believe what they were taught:

• They “received the Word with readiness of mind.” i.e. They desired to be taught the truth. And they carefully listened so that they could understand what was being taught.
• After they were taught they took their Bibles and checked what they had been taught. We are to always ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us as we examine what we have been taught (Romans 8:14). This way we make what we have been taught ‘our own’ from the Lord. We are not simply followers of those who have taught us.
• The Apostle Paul calls such a responsible approach to the Word of God as “noble”.  (Acts 17:11)

Meet privately with the Lord each day. It is very important to meet with the Lord on our own, and to spend time with Him. King David knew the value of meeting with the Lord before going out into a new day (Psalm 63:1). We need the Holy Spirit to help us get our minds focused on living in obedience to the Lord through the day ahead.

Attend church - ask the Lord to lead you to a local church where you can be taught the ‘Bible only’ faith. Look for Christian friends at church that also want to grow in their Christian faith. Such Christian ‘fellowship’ is important for our consistency and encouragement in the Faith.

When you are being taught the Bible, ask the Lord to guide you through the teaching, also helping you to discern between truth and error.  (Roman 8:14)

Rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you in all areas of life. We are commanded to “do all to the glory of God.”  (1Corinthians 10:31; Proverbs 3:5-6)

The Scriptures that are quoted above read as follows:

Psalms 63:1  O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, …
1Corinthians 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Proverbs 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

For further guidance call / email Russell Hunkin (Pastor) 082 964 0233 / russell@kingswaybaptist.co.za/ Website www.kingswaybaptist.co.za