Paul wrote: “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)
It is wonderful news that Christ died for our sins, and that He has won our salvation. There is no better news in the world. But you also have to receive it. When you hear God’s call upon your life, your responsibility is to answer in faith.
Now, faith is not something that you can work up, like enthusiasm; and it’s certainly not something for which you can claim any credit, as though you did well to have it. Faith is simply trusting that what God says is true. To receive God’s gracious gift you must turn from your former ways, renounce evil, and decide to change – this is called repentance. Secondly, you must turn to Christ in faith, opening your empty hands, trusting that He is able to fill them. Really, this is nothing at all. It is simply the acknowledgement of God’s act in Christ. Nevertheless, it is important that you should respond to what God has done.
Why not do that now? Find a quiet place. Thank God, in these words or your own:
Lord God, I know that I am a sinner, that I have rebelled against Your will for my life, and I am sorry. I know that I can do nothing to repay the debt I owe. But I know that, by sending Christ to pay the penalty for my sin, You have opened up a way by which our relationship may be restored. On the basis, then, of His sacrifice, and claiming Christ as my Savior and Lord, I now vow to live as Your child, serving You alone. To You be the praise and the glory forever. Amen.
Not because of your prayer, but because of Christ’s death for your sins, you belong to God through the Covenant of Grace. You are a Christian. Well done! But this is only the beginning. You have spent so many years living in rebellion. Now you must learn to live in obedience to His will. By the way, it’s a foregone conclusion that you will fail, now and then. On these occasions you may be tempted to despair. Please don’t. Before, you sinned as an enemy of God; now, you do so as His child. That doesn’t mean that you should go looking for failure. You should not presume upon His mercy, thinking that, since your salvation is assured, you may wallow in sin. On the contrary, love for God should move you, increasingly, to live in ways that honor Him. As the years go by, your character and behavior should change. God has begun a new thing in you. By grace, you are a new creation.
And, you are not alone. God has provided four main means of grace that will help you to grow as a Christian. They are: the Bible, the Sacraments, the Church Community, and Prayer. Let’s look at them.
The Bible is the means by which God has chosen to reveal His nature and His plan. It was written by human hands, but we believe that the writers were inspired, and that in all matters pertaining to faith and life it is without error. It is a reliable witness to God’s acts in history, and to His will for us today. As a follower of Christ you will need to get to know the Bible. Read it faithfully. But get help. A simple daily devotional will lead you through its treasures. A good study group will help you with any questions you may have. Find a translation that you can understand. Read it regularly. Take it to Church with you. It will become a close and trusted friend.
The Sacraments are another means of grace. Through them, God gives you a visual confirmation of the Gospel. Reformed Christians have two sacraments.
Baptism symbolizes our death to the world of sin, and our rising to the community of salvation. By baptism, we say that we belong. If you have never been baptized than you should ask to receive this sacrament. It does not save you. Baptism is only a symbol of the saving act of God in Christ. Nevertheless, it is an important symbol. By it you declare your allegiance to Christ.
The Lord’s Supper, the second sacrament, reminds us of the sacrifice of the Cross. Through it, we participate in the act of remembering and are strengthened to live as Christians. There is no magic involved in either sacrament. Yet, as we take the symbolic meal and taste the bread and wine, Christ is present in our midst by His Spirit.
The third means of grace is the community of the Church. We may read the Bible alone, but we read it more profitably when we read it together. We may worship alone, but we benefit more when we worship together. With all its problems, the Church is still the main way by which God provides us with relationships that enable us to protect, encourage, and serve one another. It’s not just a matter of what you get out of study or worship, it’s also a matter of how much you give. We all have responsibilities within the body of Christ, the Church. When we ignore those responsibilities the rest of the body suffers. God can strengthen us, and others, through the community of the Gospel, which is the Church.
Fourth, Prayer is a means of grace. By it, God has provided a means by which we may speak with Him. Prayer is not really about techniques or formulas, it is simply conversation with God. Whether in worship with others, or in a quiet place alone, prayer explores the character of God revealed in the Scriptures, and it provides help and strength when we need it most.
Through these means, by faith, you receive the benefits of salvation. Through them, your relationship with God is renewed, then deepened. You cannot afford to ignore any of them, if you are to grow up in Christ.
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