Articles
Where Do You Start?
For many who desire a better life, the desire is left unfulfilled and unrealized simply because they have no idea where to start in making that change. This is not something new or specific to our modern culture, and those who simply keep doing what they’ve always been doing are certainly not isolated cases; for many, fear of the unknown keeps them from ever taking that first step towards change. It is just easier to do what you know; it is just easier to not change. As one man put it: People would rather be unhappy than uncertain.
In spiritual matters, it is imperative the unbeliever overcomes that fear and makes the change, else forgiveness and eternal life will be tragically unrealized. It is not that those things are unreachable; it is that fear of change and comfort with the ‘known’ things of life that prevent many from making the necessary changes. God’s plan for man’s salvation is purposefully simple and easily understood, however; it is because of man’s unwillingness to accept its simplicity and a concurrent fear of the unknown that will keep many from ever being forgiven, though God is most certainly willing. It is we who must change, rather than God’s plan.
If you are one who has never taken that step towards belief in Jesus and the necessary repentance, it may be that, for you, it is a matter of not knowing where to begin. Where do you start when you wish to give up the worldly life and begin living for Jesus Christ?
Here’s the thing: The answer to that question is the same for someone wishing to learn about God and Jesus Christ; the answer is the same for someone wishing to know God’s will; the answer is the same for someone wishing to teach the plan of salvation to a friend or family member or classmate or fellow worker. Where do you start? In the beginning!
Finding Forgiveness and Obtaining Eternal Life. Let us be clear on this: Finding forgiveness and obtaining eternal life means one must become a Christian — a believer in Jesus as the Christ and Son of God, and one who is obedient to His teachings. Peter stated it plainly when standing before the religious leaders of the first century: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12; ESV). Jesus Himself also said, “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). There is simply no other means to obtaining forgiveness and, without that forgiveness, there will be no reward of eternal life in heaven. The journey to forgiveness and eternal life begins with belief in Jesus as the Christ; are you willing to take that first step?
A Changed Life. Despite the false message some religious leaders may be telling you, that “God loves you as you are” and that there is “no need to change” to become a part of the Lord’s church and, thus, obtain forgiveness and eternal life, God’s word plainly teaches us differently. In fact, we find that when Jesus sent the apostles out into the world to preach God’s plan for man’s salvation, He told them plainly “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations” (Luke 24:47). When the message of forgiveness and salvation [i.e., the gospel] was first preached and some people asked the apostles what they must do, the very first words out of Peter’s mouth were, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:37, 38).
Repentance — a change of thinking that leads to a changed way of life — is that first step. Necessarily included in that change of mind is a recognition that the life we have lived up to that point is unacceptable to God, and we are genuinely remorseful for having transgressed God’s will. This is what Paul called “godly sorrow” — that which “produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted” (2 Cor. 7:10). This change is not optional, for as Paul also wrote, God “commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). All men must make that change of thinking that leads to a changed life because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). If one does not admit he or she has sinned, of course there will be no repentance! But, understand this: Without repentance, there is no forgiveness and no reward of eternal life in heaven.
As stated, the change that must take place is a change of thinking, and that is a change from thinking about the here and now, the material things, and the fleshly desires, and now thinking about the eternal things, the spiritual things, and what is pleasing to God. Paul put it this way: “And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Rom. 6:13). To the Christians of the first century, he would also exhort them, writing, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1, 2). Changed thinking requires a changed focus — a changed perspective about what is most important.
It would be foolish and misleading to tell you that your life afterwards will be easy and trouble-free; it would be naive to think that the world will applaud your choice to change your life so drastically. Many disciples in the first century suffered at the hands of former friends and colleagues, and the promise to them was not a life of ease but this: “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). Are you willing to take that first step towards a changed life — even if it means your life may be difficult and your former friends abandon you?
Teaching Others. If we make that change in our lives, we will likely want to talk to others about it and hopefully try to convince them to also change. But, here is where many seem intimidated by the task of teaching others and for fear of hearing a question they can’t answer, fear of ridicule, or just a lack of confidence; many never begin and, so, lost souls go without hearing from us the words that lead to eternal life. A common excuse given as to why one never begins teaching the lost is this: “I don’t know where to start.” My answer is [you guessed it], “How about at the beginning?”
The ‘beginning’ may be the beginning of the Bible where we learn of how sin came into the world and how it has reached the lives of all men; many today do not know this story and, consequently, see no need for forgiveness or salvation. If that is the case, then that would be a good starting point.
For others, who already have some knowledge of God and the Bible, the ‘beginning’ may be a study of authority or the church Christ established. We could list many other scenarios, but the point is, the ‘beginning’ is simply starting where they are. Don’t waste time trying to convince them of things they already know and believe, but don’t assume they know, either. When Philip taught the Ethiopian eunuch, he started where he was at — reading in Isaiah about the Christ (Acts 8:35).
Are you ready to start? Take a deep breath and then BEGIN! — Steven Harper
