Getting started

Walking into a new job on the first day always brings a mixture of feelings – mostly excitement, with a heightened motivation to learn new things and make a fresh start, but it can also be marked with uncertainty due to the many unknowns. We usually apply for positions with a decent understanding of what the job description states, but acquiring an insight of the day-to-day reality usually takes some good communication upfront from the employer, along with some time and experience on the job to help bring clarity to the role. In any new job situation, the first days on that new job are spent with an experienced representative of the company who guides the new employee details, making certain the newcomer is set on a clear path forward.

Much like entering a new job experience, your journey with Christ has likely brought on similar feelings of excitement and uncertainty as you enter into this new life. Maybe this blog finds you at a place where you have a pretty basic understanding of what it means to place your faith in Christ, and you have probably already done so if you’re here, but you still have many questions. As a result, you could be feeling some excitement and eagerness to learn more about the faith, or – like that first day on the job – you could still be a bit confused on what realities this decision means for you. Either way, you have come to the right place. Try to resist the desire to know everything on day one. Similar to a professional career, living out your faith and discovering its intricacies are intended to be a life-long process that will certainly require some time and experience in addition to studying God’s word and maintaining a prayer life.

It is likely you already have some curiosities about your new faith or desire some deeper explanation on certain elements of it. Some new believers wrestle with questions like:

What exactly is the Gospel?
Is there more I need to do in order to be fully saved?
How does Jesus’ death on the cross “pay” for my sins?

These are common questions that often stir in the hearts of new believers as they begin to walk in faith, but many people don’t know who to ask or are simply intimidated to assert such questions. For this reason, it is incredibly helpful to have a trusted mentor to guide you along the journey, much like a Human Resources representative does in the first days of a new job. I hope to help you in this way, acquainting you with some foundations of the faith, then starting you on a healthy path to studying the Bible on your own. However, for long-term support and relational discipleship, I strongly encourage you to find someone you trust who can fill the role of mentor (discipler) for you. Be sure you are plugging into a local church to supply you with the community and teaching you will need to navigate this new journey well and long-term.

The Gospel

Before we dive into any of the details of the Christian life, it is critical to have a clear understanding of what we believe (and why). These next five posts will focus on discussing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in plain language. The word Gospel simply means “good news.” The Gospel of Jesus is the good news that God provided salvation for humans through the death, burial, and resurrection of His son. We will take a close look at what is commonly called “The Roman Road to Salvation,” taking one verse at a time as we walk through the true meaning of salvation in simple language. My hope is to leave you with a clear, comprehensive understanding of God’s saving grace.

As you navigate this content, if you find that you may not have fully understood the Gospel when you made a commitment to it, do not be discouraged – that is quite common. If at any point you discover some uncertainty of whether you made an authentic decision about your personal surrender to Christ, I urge you to waste no time in making that informed commitment. You do not need anyone’s help in taking your heart before God in prayer, proclaiming to Him that you realize you are a sinner who is in need of a Savior, then confessing to God that you desire to make Jesus the Lord over your life. However, don’t stop there. Seek out a leader in a Bible-believing church to help you navigate the next steps of baptism and Christian community. My hope is for you to complete these next few fundamental posts with a confidence and a clear understanding of what the cross and the empty grave truly mean for you.

*Note from the author: This post is the first installment in a series of six posts explaining the process of salvation through Jesus Christ. If you have questions concerning the Christian faith, I invite you to read through the first six posts on this blog site in the order they were published. I am praying for you!