New Believers: 7 Steps for New ChristiansSample

Day 5: Obey God

The real evidence of a true Christian is a changed life. The great British preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon once said, “Of what value is the grace I profess to receive if it does not dramatically change the way that I live? If it doesn’t change the way that I live, it will never change my eternal destiny.”

A changed life begins with obedience to God. This means that you will want to stop doing certain things and start doing other things. While God begins to change your heart and desires when you have surrendered your life to Him, He still gives you the freedom to decide just how much of your life you will let Him control. But know this: Whatever you give up to follow Jesus Christ will pale in comparison to what He will give you in return. For example, when you give up sinful behaviors for God, He will replace your sin with forgiveness and a clear conscience. With this incentive for obedience, look at some specific ways the Bible instructs us to obey God.

• Pay attention to God’s instructions (see Leviticus 10:1-3 and 1 Chronicles 13:1-10)

• To become holy, be wholly committed to God (see Leviticus 11:44 and 1 Peter 1:15-16)

• Don’t do what is right in your own eyes (see Judges 17:6)

• Offer God more than lip service (see 1 Samuel 15:1-23)

• Obey God, even when it doesn’t make sense (see 2 Kings 5:1-14)

• Obeying God is the key to a satisfying life (see Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

• Obey God, even when the stakes are high (see Daniel 3:1-29)

• Walk humbly with God (see Micah 6:8)

• We must surrender to God’s perfect will for us (see Mark 14:36)

• Live in God’s love (see John 15:9-11)

• Put on God’s armor (see Romans 13:11-14)

• Recognize that you are a new creation (see 2 Corinthians 5:14-17)