What should I change to have more Christian service

[sea5763]

nvm

 

[Aussie Pete]

I accepted Jesus about 4 months ago and am struggling to figure out what I should do to live a more Christian life. The problem is most of the things that I can think of are things I was doing when I didnt believe in God or Jesus. I was already a regular volunteer at a christian homeless shelter and set aside what little money I could every month to give to charity's I believed in. There are still some controversial issues that I have not changed my views on I'm not completely opposed to this but I don't feel God has spoken to me in a way to make this happen yet. I feel like accepting Christ means I should be making big changes but I can't figure out how to proceed. I would welcome any ideas on how to proceed.

Welcome to the Christian family. You've already heard some good advice. You will be aware that your good works could not make you right with God. You had to trust the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus to pay for your sin, and accept Him as Lord and Saviour. Like you, I was anxious to know God's will for my life. I discovered that God's will and my will were not always the same. He asks us to trust Him. Every morning ask Him to lead you in the way that you should go. Often it seems mundane. We need to continue the normal things of life. But God has an individual plan and purpose for all of us. He will lead us, but we need to be patient. The Christian life is a whole new ballgame. God will teach us and equip us for the work He is calling us to do. I had all kinds of ideas as a young Christian. God had the best for me! It did not always seem that way, but I could not be happier with my life (48 years later).

 

[RIAlred]

I think you are doing a great job so far by volunteering in a homeless shelter and giving to charities and going to church. Keep up the good work! I think you should spend time reading the Bible and praying too. If you can’t get yourself to read the whole Bible then read the whole New Testament. Faith comes from hearing the word of God Romans 10:17 which can also be accomplished by reading it as well. Also the word of God cuts deep into the soul revealing all hidden intentions Hebrews 4:12. It seems like you definitely have your act together. Perhaps for you there are ways you can improve through prayer and internal struggles such as through repentance and complete forgiveness for everyone from the heart, but those are only my guesses. I have no idea what some internal struggles of yours might be, but Jesus said everyone must repent Luke 13:3.

I have read the bible all the way through several times but never as a believer now I have been devoting an hour a day to actually studying it as opposed to just reading. It's been a good experence. Forgiveness is a real struggle for me but I keep praying about it and have been making some baby steps in that direction. That's going to be my biggest challenge.

 

[sea5763]

nvm

 

[mark kennedy]

I accepted Jesus about 4 months ago and am struggling to figure out what I should do to live a more Christian life. The problem is most of the things that I can think of are things I was doing when I didnt believe in God or Jesus. I was already a regular volunteer at a christian homeless shelter and set aside what little money I could every month to give to charity's I believed in. There are still some controversial issues that I have not changed my views on I'm not completely opposed to this but I don't feel God has spoken to me in a way to make this happen yet. I feel like accepting Christ means I should be making big changes but I can't figure out how to proceed. I would welcome any ideas on how to proceed.

Controversy goes with the territory, if your getting no clear guidance don't jump to any conclusions. It's been my experience that these things tend to get clearer over time. It sounds like you need to spend time growing in grace and knowledge before you take a dramatic stand on some controversy.
Keep a notebook on things like that, you'll be surprised how they accumulate and how much the enemy likes to use them to wear you our. Here is a perfect verse for addressing an issue like that.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding.
Submit to him in all your ways,
And he will make your paths straight.
(Prov. 3:5-6)
​

Grace and peace,
Mark

 

[mark kennedy]

I have read the bible all the way through several times but never as a believer now I have been devoting an hour a day to actually studying it as opposed to just reading. It's been a good experence. Forgiveness is a real struggle for me but I keep praying about it and have been making some baby steps in that direction. That's going to be my biggest challenge.

I've never been able to do that, I like to take my time in the New Testament. I hope you used a modetn translation for the OT, it can be tough even with a good translation.

 

[Frosty Cook]

I accepted Jesus about 4 months ago and am struggling to figure out what I should do to live a more Christian life. The problem is most of the things that I can think of are things I was doing when I didnt believe in God or Jesus. I was already a regular volunteer at a christian homeless shelter and set aside what little money I could every month to give to charity's I believed in. There are still some controversial issues that I have not changed my views on I'm not completely opposed to this but I don't feel God has spoken to me in a way to make this happen yet. I feel like accepting Christ means I should be making big changes but I can't figure out how to proceed. I would welcome any ideas on how to proceed.

You were already a born again child of God or you would not have accepted Jesus as your Savior. 1 Cor 2 tells us that the natural man who has not been born of the Holy Spirit cannot discern anything of a spiritual nature. When you came unto an understanding that Jesus was your Savior you were converted to a desire to follow him more closely. Even though we are born again of the Holy Spirit, we still carry the baggage of our sinful nature, of the sin of Adam, and will sometimes yield to that nature and should repent and follow the commandments of God as best we can.

 

[John the Ex-Baptist]

I accepted Jesus about 4 months ago and am struggling to figure out what I should do to live a more Christian life. The problem is most of the things that I can think of are things I was doing when I didnt believe in God or Jesus. I was already a regular volunteer at a christian homeless shelter and set aside what little money I could every month to give to charity's I believed in. There are still some controversial issues that I have not changed my views on I'm not completely opposed to this but I don't feel God has spoken to me in a way to make this happen yet. I feel like accepting Christ means I should be making big changes but I can't figure out how to proceed. I would welcome any ideas on how to proceed.

As someone who has spent many a year travelling a long and winding road through various denominations of Christianity, I came to rest in the Lutheran church a few years ago. Probably one of the biggest blessings it has been to me, is the freedom I've found to actively live out my life as a Christian believer, without falling into the trap of never feeling that I've done enough.

Please feel free to take or leave my advice along with everyone else's here, but for what it's worth here it is:

Stop trying to figure out how you can serve God now you're a Christian. As Jesus told the Pharisees when asked: 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John 6:28-29 . We serve Christ best by coming to understand all that He has done, and continues to do for us, so that we may trust and believe ever more strongly in Him and His works on our behalf.

As a Lutheran, we are taught a clear distinction between the Law (anything in God's Word that condemns us as falling short as a sinner), and the Gospel (or the promises) that which God has done and promises to do for us for the sake of Jesus Christ, and His glory alone. We are encouraged to read carefully the Ten Commandments and understand deeply how far they reach, both in thought and deed, and how we are all utterly condemned by them. As a Lutheran we look to this truth in order that it quite literally kills us every day. This is what it means to be crucified with Christ, that we are united with Him in His death and His life.

But just as we are condemned by the Law, we are then raised back to life by the promise of the Gospel, for wherever we are condemned to death by the Law, we are raised back to life on account of Christ on a daily basis. This is what it means to live in your baptism. That each day our flesh is crucified, and new life is brought forth through the Gospel. Don't make the mistake of thinking it a one time event that is in the past, for you will be left feeling distraught and condemned all over again, when you realise even as a Christian you will never hit the mark.

Once these truths are understood, each day is a new beginning with Christ right there with you, leading and guiding you by His Spirit. From there begin to realise that Christ does not seek your service, but even now still seeks to serve you! He comes to you in His Word, as we gather together, in Holy Communion, in baptism, in confession of sins and being forgiven, in prayer etc.. Read through His Word and seek to find Christ and His power where He has promised you will find them. To go beyond that is to strongly risk being dragged headlong into error.

You need to understand that you are no longer considered by God as a servant still yet to prove himself, but on account of Christ and all that He has done (not on account of ANYTHING you have done or will do), you have been adopted as a child of God. Regardless of how it feels, or how it might appear, it is the truth of His Word. And God never lies. Now it is not about you constantly trying to please God, because God is already pleased with you on account of Christ. You are already clothed with His righteousness, and are co-heir with Him as a result. As a child of God who has already been adopted in Christ, you are now free to live in that reality. Now you are able to embrace the Law of God in a way that shows you how to live, rather than condemning you to death. This is what the Lutheran calls the 3rd use of the Law, or the Reformed call the 2nd use if I remember rightly.

You want to know how to live in a way that is pleasing and honouring to God? Then love your neighbour wherever you find that God has placed you in society. Are you married? Seek to love and honour your wife ever more greatly. Are you employed? Then do your job with the sort of diligence as if you were employed by Jesus Himself, because you are. In fact whatever you do in your daily life, do as unto Christ Himself, and you will not go far wrong.

You also have the freedom to live and plan your life using the intelligence and skills etc. that God has given you. Don't seek some hidden sign or voice what to do next, just become familiar with God's Word through reading the Bible and hearing it preached, and live your life day by day. Make plans for the future, and commit them to God to bring them to fruition, or lead you into new plans according to His will. Enjoy your life, ever mindful that every breath you draw is a gift of God, and ever thankful that when you draw your last, you will be with Him in glory.

Keep all these things in mind my friend, and stop worrying about what you have to do, and just rest in all that Christ has done because of His great love for you. Seek to do that on a daily basis, and you will one day surely hear that line we all so long to hear; "Take you place with me good and faithful servant."

If anything that I've said sounds appealing to you, please feel free to visit my website linked in my profile page. My pastor is well respected in the U.K. and other countries in the world, and would be happy to introduce you to bounce any questions you might have off him, or that he might be able to point you in the right direction to some good solid fundamental teaching that would be helpful as a new Christian.

God bless,

John

 

[Blade]

Relax.. take one day at time.. let HIM lead you. He that started something good in you will finish it! Read the word pray.. rejoice.. praise Him.. sing to Him...what ever.. and it will all become clear.. put your mind thoughts heart on Him.. let HIS joy be your strength. Let HIS peace have its way.. put on HIS armor..

You will find out of no where.. what you wanted to do (in some things) you don't want to any more.. He made ALL THINGS NEW in you! Be at peace

 

[roman2819]

I accepted Jesus about 4 months ago and am struggling to figure out what I should do to live a more Christian life. The problem is most of the things that I can think of are things I was doing when I didnt believe in God or Jesus. I was already a regular volunteer at a christian homeless shelter and set aside what little money I could every month to give to charity's I believed in. There are still some controversial issues that I have not changed my views on I'm not completely opposed to this but I don't feel God has spoken to me in a way to make this happen yet. I feel like accepting Christ means I should be making big changes but I can't figure out how to proceed. I would welcome any ideas on how to proceed.

Greetings RIAIred

Hope I got your name right … We thank God for your faith in Jesus.

Not that I am pushing my book to you, but I hope "Understanding Prayer, Faith and God's Will" will be a helpful guide to you. It focuses on prayer, faith and God's will (which you may have questions further along your journey). As well, it speak about serving God, evangelism and His Word. You may google it and it is available on Amazon.

May the Lord bless you.