Now That You’re Saved, What’s Next?

Salvation is the undoubtedly the best thing that can happen to anyone. The Bible says if we trust in the Gospel, we are saved and are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13-14). That means that your eternity is secured, and you will be with Jesus on the last day. See also: Romans 8:16; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Peter 1:23; Galatians 3:26. When you believed, God sent His Holy Spirit into your heart. The Spirit will guide you in all your ways and also help you to live the life that is pleasing to God.

The new life which we received when we got saved is without growth and experience in the knowledge of the will of God. This growth requires some diligent efforts on the part of the believers. The Bible encourage the believers as follows:

2 Peter 1:2-9  Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

What’s next now is to be growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

We are called unto good works. When you became a Christian, you received a new life, the Bible calls it new creature. That new life comes young (in knowledge and experience) and therefore needs to be fed in order to grow. Just like a baby will not grow, or may even die, without milk for nourishment, a Christians cannot grow without the spiritual nourishment needed for growth. But this spiritual nourishment can only come from the Word of God. A Christian who is not reading the Word is a Christian who is spiritually retarded. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:14 “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” See also”

Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 3:13-17 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

One of the dangers of not having a good knowledge of the Word of God is that you will become victims of false doctrines and false teachings, and will fall into errors. Find a Bible-believing Church to fellowship with the brethren. The support that you will get from other Christians will help you in your walk with God. Attend Bible Study programs regularly, ask questions, read your Bible. It will also be beneficial if you can find some resources that will help you learn how to study and properly interpret the Bible. I have provided a simple guide that can help you get started in your Bible study; please see Beginner’s Guide to Bible Study and Interpretation.

A Christian who is not reading the Word is a Christian who is spiritually retarded.

After we’re saved, we’re called unto good works. Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” But notice that this “works” come after we’ve been saved, you have to be saved first, the works are not meant to save you. So if you’re not saved yet, your good works means nothing to God in the sense that it won’t make you saved or earn you any reward on the last day.

Share Your Faith

The best place to begin this good work is by witnessing; this is simply sharing your testimony with others. Many people get nervous about this, but it is not a hard thing to do. If you’re interested in learning more, please see my article: Are You Sharing the Gospel? – the Beginner’s Guide to Witnessing. This guide will walk you through the simple steps of sharing your faith. I have included answers to some frequently asked questions about witnessing and many common concerns that people typically express.

Romans 1:16-17  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

2 Corinthians 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak

1 Thessalonians 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear

Get Actively Involved

The life of a Christian is a life of service – willing and sacrificial services to God and others.

Galatians 6:10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

One of the easiest way to do this is to get actively involved in your Church. The local Church is one of the greatest opportunity for service and growth for the new believers. Speak to your pastors and deacons about your interest to serve. As you progress in the above, the Holy Spirit will lead to others areas where you could be useful; you need to begin from somewhere. But please choose your Church wisely, the preaching of the truth is the most important thing to look for in a local Church.

Romans 7:4-6 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Galatians 5:1, 13 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Peter 3:15-16 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

See also Sacrifice Romans 12:1-2; 1 Pet 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:2-7; 2 Timothy 2:19

So what happens when a Christian sins? Christians should not sin, you should do your best to avoid everything with which God could be displeased.

Ephesians 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

1 John 2:3-6 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

1 John 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

But when a Christians sins, he should remember his advocate, Jesus Christ, and confess his sins to restore fellowship with God.

1 John 1:9-10  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 John 2:1-2  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

It is extremely crucial to live the life that is pleasing to God. This is part of what we are called into. Total yielding to the Holy Spirit will help you in this area. But if at anytime you fall into sin, return to God immediately, confess your sins and plead for more grace.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.