LIFE AFTER BIRTH

    In the previous lesson on how to accept God's gift of grace, we learned that a person must be "born again," through water and Spirit, in order to inherit God's Kingdom {John 3:3-5}. Another way to describe this event is found in Romans 6 where the illustration of dying and being raised to walk a new life is used in place of birth. Whether we choose new birth or new life to describe what happens when we are baptized into Christ, the point is the same--it marks a new beginning. We are now supposed to think and act differently than we did before we knew Jesus and accepted Him as our Savior. Many Bible passages talk about the kind of life that is to follow our new birth.

A. Read Romans 6:4. Having been buried with Christ in baptism, we should now walk [verb-action] in a new life. The chapter describes that new walk/life:

1. Romans 6:12-13 = We should avoid sin, stop giving in to our ungodly passions.
2. Romans 6:15-19 = Give ourselves over to doing right, doing good. Right actions.
3. Romans 6:20-22 = Give God lordship over our new lives, we need to submit to HIm rather than try to be our own bosses.

B. Read Ephesians 4:17-23. We need to put away our former conduct and give ourselves over to spiritual matters, right conduct.

1. Ephesians 4:24 = We are a new person in God, created in righteousness and holiness.
2. Ephesians 4:25-32 = Stop lying, stop bearing grudges, stop stealing, stop using filthy or crude language. Start treating others with kindness, and tenderness, being quick to forgive others just as God has forgiven us.

C. Read Colossians 3:1-4. Since we have died with Christ in baptism, we should no longer live with a worldly focus, but with a heaven bound focus.

1. Colossians 3:5-9 = This means putting sex outside of marriage or with someone other than our spouse, evil desires, wanting what the "Joneses" have, filthy talk, hatred, and the like behind us. Let them be relegated to our past, to who we were before and start living now like a new person focused on a spiritual life.
2. Colossians 3:10-11 = We are all created in God's image. He doesn't play favorites, and neither should we. Race, nationality, socio-economic status should not be considered when we look at another person. We should treat one another as equals.
3. Colossians 3:12-17 = As God's holy children, we are to show mercy, humility, patience, and forgiveness to others. Loving others and pursuing peace with others should now be a priority. Encourage other believers. Think of our lives as a work of art, each action is part of the picture. When we're done with the painting, we want God to be able to proudly put His name on it. If we can't in good conscious "put" God's name on an action, thought, or word, we shouldn't be doing them.

D. I don't think I can live up to these teachings. What happens if I make a mistake and sin again?

1. Romans 7:21-24; James 3:2 = It is impossible for us to totally stop sinning.
2. 1 John 1:5-2:2 = If we commit a sin after we've believed, rather than cover it up, we are to admit it to God, confess it, sincerely apologize for it and He'll cover it. The sin cleansing power of Jesus' blood is not a one time deal. It's there for us throughout our lives. It's not that Christians are sinless, it's that Christians have their Savior and Lord pulling for them, forgiving them. He doesn't do that for people who don't believe and don't follow Him.
3. 1John 2:1; 3:9 = But God's grace and forgiveness is not something to be abused. We should not keep practicing sinful things because we can ask forgiveness.

The Bible also teaches that with the new life in Christ comes certain responsibilities. Let's study further to see what some of these responsibilities are.

E. Matthew 7:21-27 = "Lip service", showiness, going through the motions when are hearts are not in it doesn't cut it with God.

F. Read 1Corinthians 12:13. When we're baptized, we were made a part of a "body."

1. Colossians 1:18,24 = Christ's "Body" is the Church.
2. The word "church" does not refer to a building, it means "assembly, congregation" and refers to people who are in Christ.
3. Hebrews 10:23-25 = Believers are to regularly assemble together to strengthen each other, encourage each other, refresh each other, and push each other to keep walking in our new life.
   What are some of the responsibilities of the believer here?
4. Galatians 6:1-2 = Christians are responsible for one another and when we see a fellow believer struggling in their walk, we are to help them get up, not ignore them or act ashamed of them or kick them while their down.
5. Ephesians 4:11-16 = We are all to do our part to make the Lord's Body, the church, grow and be strong. When a believer doesn't do his or her part, it handicaps the body.

G. Read Ephesians 4:14. If we don't grow in the faith and do our part to make the whole body grow, then we run the risk of buying into a false teaching or false belief system.

1. 2Timothy 4:1-4 = Some people don't want to hear the Truth, they want to hear what they want to hear. To guard ourselves and the body from becoming that kind of group, we need to devote ourselves individually and as a group to preaching the word and teaching the Truth.
2. 1Timothy 4:13-16 = If we pay attention to what we teach, to doctrine, and stick to the Bible, we will "save both yourself and those who hear you."

H. Read Matthew 4:18-22. Jesus approached these people and said, "follow me and I will make you fishers of men." They left what they were doing to follow him. This shows that following Jesus was more important to them than anything else. But what does it mean to be "fishers of men"?

I. Read Matthew 10:34-39. Jesus wants to occupy first place in our lives, the number one slot on our list of priorities.

J.Read Mark 8:34-38. Commitment, self-denial, is what Jesus wants from us, for that is what He demonstrated when He became flesh and died for us {Philippians 2:4-11}.

K. Read Matthew 28:18-20. Disciples (followers, learners) are to make other disciples/learners.

L. Read Mark 10:28-30. While God does ask much of us, He doesn't ask as much from us as He has promised to bless us with in return. Serving God is not a chore, it is a delight. He does so much more for us than He asks of us.

Decision: Do you want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Are you ready and willing to do your part as a member of Christ's body? If you live in our area, we would be happy to help you in your journey and assist you in becoming a child of God. We would also be honored to have you as part of our local body, adding the talents God has given you to those we have and growing up, growing stronger in Christ together. If you don't live in our area, find someone who is willing to help you carry out the Bible's teachings we have studied in these five lessons. If you need help finding someone or locating a body of like-minded believers, contact us and we'll try and help you. Click here to Email us.

     Have you ever wondered why there are so many churches; and how to recognize which ones are actually part of Christ's body? Then click on "His Church" below and search the Scriptures with us for answers to those questions.