Conversion
Some people think that once they have experienced conversion, they have won the battle with sin, the old things have passed away and the fallen nature has gone away. But the truth is that conversion is like enlisting in the army and there is battle at hand with sin.
Conversion is an experience that must be maintained by a daily connection with God. Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:4,5). Occasional focus on God is not sufficient. To abide in Christ means that the soul must be in constant communion with Him and live as He lived (Galatians 2:20).
How to Abide in Christ?
Here are some guiltiness on how to abide in Christ:
1-Study the Scriptures daily
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness“ (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible alone is man’s manual for salvation. Peter instructed, “We . . . have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). And David said, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11).
2-“Pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
The connection with Heaven should not be cut (Luke 18:1). Paul labored “night and day” (1 Thessalonians 2:9); he also prayed “night and day” (1 Thessalonians 3:10). So, it should be with us. Jesus, our example, prayed many times all through the night (Luke 6:12; Matthew 26:36–44).
3-Trust in the Lord
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation” (Isaiah 12:2). We can fully trust Jesus Christ because He gave up His life to save us. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
4-Wittness to others
Jesus commissioned His disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mathew 28:19). And the Bible affirmed, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
Once Saved Always Saved
The delusion, “once saved always saved” is not Biblical. It is possible for those who have been in Christ to cut their connection with Him and be lost (Hebrews 6:4–6). Salvation is conditional upon abiding in Christ until the end. But if a Christian loses his grip on the Lord’s hand and falls, he can fix his ways by God’s grace and pray, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me by Your generous Spirit” (Psalm 51:12).
And the Lord is faithful to forgive and clean all repentant sinners. He promised, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). The role of the believer is to watch and pray to prevent the old habits of thought and action from coming to life again (Romans 6:11–13; 1 Corinthians 9:27). The will of man should be united to the grace of God for complete victory. A person should rely on the grace and power of Christ for the cleansing of sinful tendency in his life (1 John 3:6–10).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
