Discipling a new Jesus-follower - Part 2
(this is the second email to S., a new Christian,
to help her know more what's happened to her.
The first email is here.)
S., if your life weren't so crammed with who-knows-what, and my life weren't so busy, we'd find time to talk and visit about what being a Christian is. But it's our reality. We're both in a blur.
The best I can do perhaps, is write and give you more perspective on what happens when a person opens their heart to God. It's not as good as talking (you have great questions, S., and deep thoughts) - but it's better than nothing.
So here goes, second instalment!
Becoming God's daughter:
A quiet, real change happens when we turn to God and trust in Jesus, S.. It's this: God adopts us (
Galatians 4.4-5)!!! You become his daughter (son, in my case, right!). (
2 Corinthians 6.18)
God gives us the right (
John 1.12) to claim this, if we put our trust in Jesus: I'm now God's child!
That's a real change!
Before we came to him, we were outsiders, God says (
Ephesians 2.12). In some ways we can say we were God's enemies, (
Colossians 1.21) because we fought against God's influence over us, and we went against his commands.
We acted like we were god, instead of him.
When God drew close to us, we had the chance to turn around (
Acts 3.19-20), and come to God.
When we opened up our heart to him, God changed our relationship.
He could have made us slaves (
Romans 8.15). Or hired hands. Even prisoners. But no; he decided, "If you come to me, I want the closest possible relationship (
Ephesians 5.1-2). I want to love you as my precious child."
It's remarkable to me, S., that the one who created everything, who made me, wants me in his family! What a privilege (
Galatians 3.25-26) that is! That's what you are: God's daughter! Perhaps no one else knows, or cares (well, I do!). But God knows, and wants you to know!
We didn't deserve to be adopted, no. We couldn't pay (
Ephesians 2.8-9) enough to get it. God simply chooses to love us and let us into his family.
So you can walk around, S., and say to yourself, "I'm God's child! He's my dad. He loves me and will watch over me and direct me! Wow!"
Here's some benefits when you become God's child, S. This is what God wants you to know and enjoy!
- he talks to you, deep within, Spirit-to-spirit (Romans 8.16-17), to remind us you're his child
- he loves you deeply (Ephesians 2.4-6) - not because you’re loveable, or deserve it, but because he chooses to love you
- he gives you another family - that's other Christians who are his children - a worldwide one, S.! (so Daisy's your older sister; I'm your really older brother!!!)
- he cares for you and helps you grow up - he trains us (Hebrews 12.7-11) too, so you’ll be mature and wise
- he loves you (Ephesians 3.17-19); deeply he loves you! (did I say that already? Of course I did!!! It's worth repeating...)
- he listens to you (Romans 8.26-30), cares for you (1 Peter 5.6-7) as his little children. This is what prayer is, S., the chattering of a little child to a wise, loving father (Matthew 18.3-4)
- he has plans for you (Ephesians 2.10), S. (every good parent has, for their children, right!). Great plans that will bring you deep joy and delight. Those plans unfold for you (Romans 12.1-2) as you obey him and live for him
I'm giving you lots of ideas and concepts, S.. Lots of references in the Bible.My fear is, this will be just an intellectual exercise. But it's not just academic - love never is, is it! It's heart and soul; it's poetry, it's ecstasy!
I hope you'll feel, deep inside, that you're accepted by God, adopted by God, loved by God. That the greatest Being in the universe, who needs nothing, has chosen to need you and love you! That should warm your heart and fire your imagination for the rest of your life!!! Whew and wow!
It's changed me, S., to realize this for myself. I'm so glad! I'm so grateful!
I want to love him back, and live a life worthy of his love.
If he's my dad, I want to be the best son I can possibly be.
And I want everyone else to have this chance.
Especially those who have never heard about Jesus - which is most every Chinese, right!
I hope that for you too!
Paul