In my first post, I talked about the difference between seeing our Christian walk with a fresh attitude, versus a stale attitude. Am I seeing the Bible as something new and amazing? Or has it become commonplace?
Recently I was in a discussion where we were talking about the first century Christians, and suddenly I was struck with the thought that these Christians – the first ones to become saved during Christ’s life and immediately after the cross – were coming to salvation based solely on the person of Jesus Christ alone. There were no trappings of Christianity, no set of rules or expectations or years of tradition. These new believers were solely focused on Christ, everything in this new walk was brand new and exciting and never been done before. And it was all about their relationship with Jesus Christ, because the rest of what we think of as “New Testament Christianity” did not exist yet.
So now, fast forward two thousand years, and we do have all those trappings. How easy it is to get sidetracked and forget that our Christian life should be all about that relationship with Christ.
Today we have to purposely remember to lay aside those extras each day for some time of wonder. Look inside, and figure out the answer to some questions. Why do I often take God for granted, or see the basics of the Christian walk as boring? What keeps me fresh in my Christian life?
Stay Fresh By Seeing Christian Life Through The Eyes Of A New Disciple
The first point I want to talk about is the need for each of us to see what we learn in the Bible through the eyes of new Christians. We aren’t going to be able to do this unless we’re out there meeting new church members, and telling people about the gospel.
Without meeting new people, and leading someone to Christ, we aren’t going to know anyone who is new in their Christian faith.
I think this is part of how we all need each other. The mature Christian still needs those young, newly saved Christians. I need their enthusiasm to remind me to be enthusiastic. I need their awe and wonder at the miracles of God to remind me that the miracles of God are worthy of awe and wonder all the time. I need to see the light of understanding dawn upon someone when they read John 3:16 and realize for the first time that this means God loves them. I need that so I’m reminded that God loves me too.
When was the last time you looked at your faith through the eyes of a new Christian? Click To TweetRelated Post: Opening the Door on the Good News About Jesus
It’s so important to keep a love of God’s Word in our hearts, and a new Christian can remind us of that first love. Sort of like watching a wedding – suddenly you see the love that this couple has for each other, and you’re reminded of that newness you had in your own marriage relationship.
This step requires us to take action, to reach out to others and get outside our comfort zone. I think when we’re too comfortable inside our own bubble, we lose so many important things that are necessary to keep us balanced.
This is hard for me – I like my bubble. I prefer to stay inside it, with my cup of coffee and a good book, and just let the world go by. I don’t want to meet new people all the time. So this is something I have to force myself to do.
Ultimately, when I do go beyond myself though, I find I’m enriched by it, and the people I meet are worth knowing, worth reaching outside my bubble to be around.
How Do You Keep Your Christian Life Fresh?
Next time, I’ll be exploring thoughts about how I view myself in the right perspective so I can keep that wonder towards God alive in my heart.
We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. How do you keep your Christian life fresh?
How do you keep your faith fresh? @SherryChamblee shares her answer here. Click To Tweet
It can be so hard to remember what it was like to be a new Christian, but I think you are right. It is so important not to lose sight of our first love. The reason we fell in love with Jesus in the first place.
Right!
We must never think that we’ve arrived….
Very true. It’s too easy to look behind us and see growth and think that’s the end. Looking ahead shows us just how far below “done” we actually are.
It is so easy to become status quo and think that is okay…so many of our relationships get that way, but that is not what we should be doing. We should be excited and living with anticipation of what God will do next. Thanks for the reminder.
I love this post! As i’m approaching my 8th year anniversary of salvation, this is a great reminder of how passionate and excited I was about our relationship with Jesus. Reading this just stirred up some fresh excitement.
This was a great reminder. On Sunday my husband read the scripture in the church service from Revelation. And he asked us all to listen to the verse as if it was the first time we heard it. Powerful! I want to keep my faith fresh!
Amen! Sounds like a wonderful sermon. 🙂
I go back to the Cross. I can get pretty cocky in my Christian walk, but then I remember that I didn’t deserve His Sacrifice for me, and it humbles me.
I also see my kids’ excitement and it reminds me too see Jesus through their eyes.
Every morning when I wake up I remind myself His mercies are new! I know about being the chiefest of sinners. I also know the transforming power of mercy, grace and forgiveness and the redemptive power of God’s love. Loving Jesus is being intentional about thanking Him every day for loving me despite my shortcomings.
Yes, we need to continue to disciple others so we won’t grow stale in our faith!
I like your comparison of being at a wedding to witnessing the change in a new believer’s life!
I keep it fresh by times of confession, preferably daily, and through the daily communion of reading the word with a prayerful attitude. When I let other things take priority, which happens sometimes, the freshness goes out to be replaced by staleness. Then I have to confess that idolatry of misplaced priorities and every bad attitude that came because of the tangent I went off on, and return to those times of sweet communion with God that comes only in submission to Him and in giving Him first place in every thought and conversation and activity.