“So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away—look, what is new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
This is what has happened to every believer in Jesus:
You are now a new creation in Christ! You are complete and whole in Christ! Jesus wants you to become aware of all the resources He has already made available to you so you can live out more fully your true identity in Christ. You can be sure of this new reality for your life.
Becoming a believer in Jesus Christ is a new birth in a new country. Being a new-born means you will have to learn skills and gain knowledge to grow. You need lots of life experience to mature. Being in a new country means you will need to understand how the kingdom really works. You will need to learn its culture, customs, and laws. You will need to know and exercise your rights and responsibilities.
So your next steps as a new believer are for the rest of your life. It’s a life-long journey. Here are three key truths to keep in mind for this journey.
Identity. Your new life in Christ is your true identity, who you really are, who you are designed to be. Who you are shapes what you do and how you do them. So, it is critical important to understand and embrace your true identity in Christ. To know who you are in Christ, you need to know who God is and accept fully God’s love for you.
Community. You now belong to a new family. This Jesus community is a critical part of your new life. It is a community of the Father, for Jesus, and by the Holy Spirit. Just as God is a community of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, we are designed to live in a community. So, make sure to look for and join a group of believers in Christ who love and follow Jesus devotedly.
Mission. You are part of a bigger story. Your life is a gift from God for his glory. He created you for his purpose. Yes, we all have our everyday responsibilities – to study, make a living, do chores, and care for family. But there are new reasons and higher purposes for your life.