EAT...

EAT...

One of the most basic principles of physical life is the importance of food. If we don't take in nourishment, if we don't eat, we will quickly grow weak. The same thing is true in your spiritual life. If you do not take in spiritual nourishment, your new life in Christ will be weak and ineffective.

Spiritual food is the truth of God's Word, the Bible. We "eat" spiritually when we take in what God has given us in the Bible. There are several ways that we can take in God's Word. Obviously being in a good church where you can hear solid preaching and teaching is one of the most important things that you can do as a new Christian. I cannot overemphasize how important it is to become involved in a church like this.

There are also good Christian books and tapes that can help you to learn how God wants you to live your life, but by far the most important thing that you can do to grow as a new Christian is to read the Bible for yourself. God has given us His Word, the Bible, to teach us the principles that He wants us to know and to guide us in this new life as a Christian.

BREATHE...

One of the most natural processes in our physical life is that of breathing. We don't have to stop and think about breathing, we just do it. Can you imagine what life would be like if we had to remind ourselves to breathe? Instead, without conscious effort, 15 times a minute, 900 times an hour, 21600 times a day, we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide.

Prayer for the Christian should be just as natural as breathing. We have a tendency to think of prayer as being a "command performance." We think we have to come up with just the right words and phrases to talk to God.

In reality, God wants us to share with Him whatever is on our hearts and minds. Scripture says that God already knows what our needs are before we even ask Him. What He wants is to hear from us. Tell Him your fears and your hopes ... ask for His help in your daily life ... thank Him for what He has been doing in your life. Make it your habit to talk to God.

EXERCISE...

Physical exercise is vital to our health as human beings. If we continually take in fuel (food) without burning it, we will become flabby and sluggish and eventually suffer all kinds of health consequences.

The same principle applies to our spiritual lives. You may be very good at taking spiritual food into your life by reading God's Word or going to church, but if you do not do anything with that food, you will not remain healthy very long.

We understand the idea of physical exercise, but how do you exercise spiritually? Quite simply by doing something with the spiritual truths you are taking into your life from God's Word: obeying God's commands, applying His principles in your life, choosing to do what God shows you from the Bible.

God's formula for growth in the Christian life is really very simple. He shows us a truth from His Word. We make a choice to obey and God accomplishes His purpose in our lives. Then He shows us something else from His Word, and we go through the process all over again (see Colossians 1:9-10).

It is God's responsibility to give the growth, to accomplish His purpose in our lives. Our part is to learn from the Bible and to choose to obey. All too often we think that it is enough to know what the Bible has to say. God wants us to do what the Bible has to say.

REST...

There comes a time every day in our physical lives in which we must rest. We may all require different amounts of rest in order to stay healthy, but there is no question that we all need rest.

Again, we understand what rest is in the physical realm. It is taking a few minutes in the easy chair after we finish mowing the lawn, it's getting the proper amount of sleep at night in order to be at our best the next day. But what is rest in the spiritual realm?

For the Christian, rest is the encouragement of being with other believers. There is significant energy outflow that goes with living the Christian life, especially when we are trying to live that life by ourselves (without the help of other Christians). We need to have a way to "recharge our batteries."

God has designed that into the Christian life in the form of fellowship, of being with other Christians. The Christian life was never designed to be lived in isolation but in the context of community with other believers. Scripture says that we are to "love one another," "pray for one another," "bear one another's burdens."

That's why it is so important for you as a new Christian to seek out other Christians that you can spend time with and learn from. Find a good church in your local area that teaches the Scriptures and gives you an opportunity to worship with fellow believers. Seek out a brother or sister in Christ that you can share with and pray with. Don't try to live this new life in Christ all by yourself!

PROPAGATE...

Just as in the physical life the continued existence of the human race depends on reproduction, as one generation produces the following generation, so the growth of the body of Christ depends on our ability as Christians to reproduce our new life in others.

We have a responsibility, given to us by God, to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who have not yet responded to His invitation to eternal life. Notice that I did not say that we have the responsibility to lead other people to Christ. Our responsibility is to share the gospel. It is God who works in people's lives to bring them to faith.

In order to adequately share this marvelous good news, we must first be sure that we understand it ourselves. Then find a way that is natural and comfortable for you to share with others. Some people use the Four Spiritual Laws (developed by Campus Crusade). Others use what they call the "Roman Road" (a series of verses from the Book of Romans that encapsulate the gospel message). A good Web site to share with someone you care about is the NeedHim site, with which you can share the gospel with a man, woman, child, young adult , or any friend or family member.

There are many good ways to share the gospel. What is most important is that we take advantage of opportunities to share. There is nothing more exciting than to see God at work in bringing someone to Himself.