How to Begin the Christian Life

by George Sweeting

Overview

Beginnings are crucial! Houses need strong foundations. Races are won by
strong starts just as much as fast finishes. The beginning of your Christian life
is no different. A strong start to your Christian life is not only pleasing to our
Lord, but will help equip you for what lies ahead. The future will be exciting,
yet challenging. Will you be ready? How to Begin the Christian Life is
a modern classic. With more than 600,000 copies in print it has already helped tens
of thousands begin their Christian lives. Now let it help you or someone you know.
Are you unsure if you're a Christian? Do you want to know how to pray, study the
Bible, or handle trouble? Are you interested in God's principles for giving financially
to the church? This little handbook will give you reliable scriptural guidance in
these and other areas of Christian living.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781575676258
Publisher:	Moody Publishers
Publication date:	01/09/1993
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
File size:	489 KB

About the Author

DR. GEORGE SWEETING is a former president and chancellor of the Moody Bible Institute He received a diploma from Moody Bible Institute, his B.A. from Gordon College, and his Doctor of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Dr. Sweeting has served as a pastor in several churches, including Grace Church, Madison Avenue Baptist Church, and The Moody Church and also spent nine years traveling the world as an evangelist.Dr. Sweeting has written numerous books, including The Joys of Successful Aging, Too Soon to Quit, Lessons from the Life of Moody, and Don't Doubt in the Dark. He is the host of the radio program Climbing Higher and a former columnist for Moody Magazine.

DR. GEORGE SWEETING is the former president and chancellor of the
Moody Bible Institute (1971-1999) and is currently Chancellor Emeritus. As a world-renowned
evangelist, pastor, teacher, and writer, few are better equipped to explain how
to grow in your salvation. How to Begin the Christian Life is a modern classic
with more than a million copies in print in English and other languages.

Read an Excerpt

As a newborn baby is cared for in the physical world, you need to be helped
spiritually. Let me list four helpful suggestions that I will enlarge upon in later
chapters.

1. Read the Bible systematically. What food is to the body,
the Bible is your new spiritual life. At a prescribed time, in a quiet place, each
day should start with the Bible. This is a must if you are to grow in the things
of God. The gospel of John is a good place for you to begin. Remember, at least
a chapter a day! D.L. Moody said, "The Bible will keep you from sin or sin will
keep you from Bible." A chapter a day will certainly help to keep sin away.

2.
Learn to pray. Prayer is the communion of the believer with God; we speak to God,
but He also speaks to us. Prayer is not merely asking favors of God but, rather,
waiting in quietness before Him. Pray for personal cleansing and victory over evil:
pray for yourself and pray for others.

3. Use every opportunity to confess
Christ before the world. In a winsome way, immediately tell someone of your spiritual
decision. Activity strengthens. When believers share with others, they develop an
appetite for Bible study. The result of their speaking to others of their new life
will provide daily, up-to-date subjects for prayer. When a new Christian begins
working, everything comes into proper focus. R. A. Torrey said, "The more you make
of Jesus Christ, the more he will make of you. It will save you from many temptations
if the fact is clearly known that you are one who acknowledges Christ as Lord of
all things."

4. Become part of a local church. If a mother permits her
children to grow up in idleness, the result will be unprepared children. Since the
Christian's responsibilities toward other believers is clear, waiting only forms
bad habits. The Bible says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,
as is the manner of some" (Hebrew 10:25). Your faithful church attendance will help
you in spiritual growth. Find a fellowship that gives full allegiance to Jesus Christ
and the Word of God, and become part of it.If you follow these four Bible steps,
Christian growth is promised. You will be sure to meet temptations, but you need
not yield or fall to them, for God has promised, "He who is in you is greater than
he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). If you do fall, ask for immediate forgiveness.
"If we confess our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
if you fall, do not remain defeated, but get up and go on. Perhaps right now you
are facing a battle with some attitude or habit; remember that Christ is ready to
help you, and He has all power in heaven and earth. Another secret of successful
Christian living is to keep your eyes on Christ. The best of Christians will fail
you, but never forget - "Jesus never fails." Congratulations on your decision to
receive Jesus Christ as your Savior. Now strive to follow these first steps. Starting
right is a key tp spiritual growth.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Your First Steps

2. What Is a Christian?

3.
How to Grow in the Christian Life

4. You and the Holy Spirit

5. You
and Your Bible

6. How to Pray

7. How to Have a Quiet Time

8.
The Three Divisions of Mankind

9. How to Be Sure of Salvation

10.
You and the World

11. You and the Church

12. You and Your Money

13.
Scripture Promises for Spiritual Problems