How New Believers Learn to Live Like Christ

You’re Saved—Now What?

If you’re a new believer wondering how to live after salvation, this article explains what it means to walk in the light of Christ and follow Jesus in everyday life. Discover how spiritual growth, obedience, and enduring trials shape the Christian life through the power of the Holy Spirit.

From Darkness to Light

From darkness to light, God has given us life. Through the process of being born again, God calls us to let this light burn bright and shine in dark places so that others might see it. What is this light within us but the life of Christ?

Therefore, let us show the world
joy in suffering,
peace in chaos,
faith in hopeless situations,
love toward those who hate us,
and kindness when people slander or judge us without mercy, that God would be glorified in us, as Christ was glorified for His perfect witness. We ought to imitate Jesus, as He calls us to nothing He didn’t endure Himself.

The Christian Life Is the Life of Christ

The Christian way of living is living the life of Christ, that we may know God more deeply. When our goal is to know who God is, not just know about Him, He teaches us His character and His divine nature.

How do we know Him without simply collecting information about Him through Scripture, books, and sermons? We begin to notice all circumstances in our lives as opportunities to grow in the grace, wisdom, and knowledge of who God is, and we act in accordance with that same character through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Opportunities to Reflect Christ

When we are given the opportunity, do we show mercy and kindness toward others, or do we talk badly about them and think the worst? Do we forgive when someone messes up, not holding it over them or becoming bitter?

Do we show love and refuse to assume motive or intention without hearing the whole story or knowing the person personally?

Being Transformed Into His Image

God wants us to be transformed into the image of His Son, and this means we will face the same things everyone else faces—believers and non-believers alike. But Christians are held to the standard of Christ.

Will we respond as Jesus did?

Don’t Be Surprised by Trials

When the Scriptures say, “Don’t be surprised when you face trials,” it means we are to expect the world to remain the world, with sin and death still active and a part of our earthly experience. Don’t be surprised when you still face struggles and hardship, as you always have.

But let those trials produce the character and likeness of Christ.

Let Your Light Shine Before Others

Let the light of Christ shine before others, and put on the mind of Christ in all things, that others will see how different you are and give glory to God, not because you avoided hardship, but because you did not respond as the world does.

Sing it over yourselves every day. Write it in your journals. Place it in your homes. Teach your children and your neighbors that God so loved the world that He sent His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

Living by Faith, Not Earning Favor

Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and He gives those who believe the gift of the Holy Spirit. You do not have to work for or earn God’s favor; you inherit the right to be an heir by faith in Jesus Christ.

We cannot say we believe and then hide a basket over our lamp.

Putting Off the Old, Putting On Christ

If we believe in Jesus, let us live as though we do; obeying Him and following Him. Throw off your old way of living, your old way of thinking, and your old way of speaking, and put on the new mind in Christ.

The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth and convict you of sin. Follow after Jesus. Learn to hear His voice. Submit to faithful Christian brothers and sisters who show their faith through good fruit.

Living in the World Without Becoming Like It

Live in the world without being like the world. And what is the world like? It is hateful, malicious, self-worshiping, idolatrous, and marked by characteristics that are not of Christ.

Do not repeat those patterns you once lived by, but be merciful to those who doubt (Jude 1:22).

A Word to New Believers

This is my encouragement to believers: read the Scriptures as often as possible. Learn to participate in real Christian community with the people around you, not just listening to sermons online, but engaging in fellowship that produces accountability, good works, and endurance to continue in the faith.

Be open to correction, teaching, and reproof, for Proverbs reminds us that fools reject correction. Read Christian literature, and allow those who are faithful to encourage and strengthen your faith. Learn church history so you can guard yourself against false teachings, false doctrines, and accretions that people attempt to make dogmatic in the Christian life.

Remember Paul’s words: “All things are permissible, but not all things are beneficial… I will not be mastered by anything.” And finally, remember this: God already loves you deeply and desires to be intimately involved in every detail of your life. Ask Him all things. His silence is not indicative of His absence, but an invitation to grow in faith.