Advice to New Converts

I recently had the privilege of leading a man to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. I know we are always looking for arguments that “work” when it comes to evangelism. Let me just say that when the Lord draws a man, he will come. All I did was help the man build his own testimony by easing his conscience into accepting responsibility for his many past faults and failures. I helped him see that he was at the end of his logical rope and that, with the last two breaths he had, he could cry out, “God, help.”

Jesus is a help in time of need, and all who call upon the name of the Lord shall not be disappointed. I told this man that the next step was to exercise something he never had before—faith. I explained that if he would now stand upon the help he cried for, God would send Jesus, upon whom he could stand. It was his responsibility to remove the noose he had made for himself—the one that was strangling him. That noose represented his past; the solid ground of Christ, his future.

I pointed out that it is inevitable that one who sees himself saved from certain death will love and embrace his savior. How much more should our affections, devotions, and loyalties be given to Jesus, who saves us from eternal death! He prayed a prayer of repentance, acknowledged that Jesus was Lord, and confessed confidence in the resurrection of Christ. The Apostle Paul would say that this confession passes, so I’m going to baptize this man this Sunday.

After the hugs and tears of joy, though, I sat him down and talked to him the way I wish someone had talked to me when I first got saved. I had no idea what to do next or what awaited me. Yes, the power of sin is broken, and the devil is evicted from our hearts. But while the power of sin is broken, the habit of sin takes time to reshape.

Yes, while Satan no longer has claim or title over us, from his perspective, Jesus has robbed him of one of his own, and he will fight furiously to get a new convert to recant and return. Add to that the realities that new believers need to start doing things they’ve never done before, and it can become overwhelming. This can easily lead a new believer into the ditch of Christian agnosticism: “I’m saved, but beyond that, I don’t know or care.”

So here’s what I told our new brother in Jesus:

1) Start reading (or listening to) the Bible

Read a couple of chapters a day from the Gospels or Epistles—not for deep comprehension, but for exposure. Get to know the names, stories, and broad outlines of teachings. Understanding will come in time, but it can’t even begin until you are familiar with the content of the Bible.

As you read, write down notes, questions, comments, and concerns so you can remember what you need help understanding. When you read something you don’t understand, don’t stop! Keep reading—the answer is often in the next paragraph or chapter.

2) Start praying

The Father will not fault you for spiritually childish prayers. He knows you are just a babe in Christ and have the vocabulary of an infant. What father mocks his newborn for not speaking like Shakespeare?

The very fact that you are now directing your voice to Him instead of yourself is sweet to God, and He will teach you how to pray over time. You have new spiritual muscles to flex, ones that have never been used before. At first, it may feel uncomfortable, awkward, and even painful. But keep at it—the ability to pray always, without ceasing, will develop.

I also pointed out that it’s not uncommon for new converts to fall asleep during prayer. So I suggest setting a timer with an alarm to stay engaged.

3) Attend Church

You become who you hang around. Don’t believe this? Just think of the leather-chap-clad Harley rider who, two years ago, was a clean-shaven desk jockey.

Growing as a believer requires a lifelong relationship with the church. There, the abstract becomes concrete as believers live together in fellowship. It’s sometimes messy and even painful, but overwhelmingly, it’s a net positive for growing as a Christian.

What else would you recommend for a newborn Christian?