Open Doors for Changes

Jesus made an astounding statement in John 10: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. (John 10:27-29)

Once a person is redeemed, God begins a process in his life of conforming the individual to the likeness of Christ. Some people think, "I repeated the sinner's prayer," or "I once made a decision in a church meeting. Jesus is my Savior." They think that simply by saying a prayer or by making the profession that Jesus is their Savior, they are saved and are guaranteed to go to heaven when they die. They think they get this little earthly interlude, and then when they die, they will still go to heaven because they have professed Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior.

Is that what Christianity is all about? That is not what Jesus and His apostles taught. Yes, repent of your sins and believe in Jesus; that's your first step. However, that alone is not all that is involved in living out the Christian life.

You have to continue to grow in the faith. The Bible challenges everyone who becomes a child of God to pursue becoming like Christ. That requires continuous work on your part.