New Believers Bible - Flipbook - Page 114
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A41
FIRST STEPS
Christ into your heart, he gave you the gift of his Holy Spirit (see “Who Is the
Holy Spirit?” page A24).
The Holy Spirit not only takes up residence in your heart but he empowers
you to live a holy life and to be an effective witness for Jesus Christ. The Holy
Spirit’s power is much like an investment. You need to draw upon his power
daily to live out your faith. To find out more about how the Holy Spirit can
empower and strengthen your Christian walk, look up the following passages
of Scripture.
1. God’s Spirit Will Guide You. The Holy Spirit will help you understand
the truths of Scripture and the character of God (see John 16:13-15,
page 959).
2. God’s Spirit Will Empower Your Witness. The Holy Spirit will give you
greater courage and an increased ability to share your faith (see Acts 1:8,
page 967).
3. God’s Spirit Will Encourage You to Be Obedient. You will have a Holy
Spirit-inspired desire to obey God’s commands (see Ezekiel 36:26-27,
page 745).
4. God’s Spirit Will Help You Overcome Sin. Sin will no longer have the
power over you it had before you accepted Christ into your life (see Romans
8:9-14, page 1009).
Next to personally knowing Jesus and walking with him, one of the greatest
blessings of the Christian life is to lead someone else to Jesus Christ. The
good news is that God wants to use you—not just pastors, missionaries, and
evangelists—as his instrument to speak to others.
Jesus gave us this very commission in Mark 16:15, where he says, “Go into
all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” This wonderful charge
is known as the “great commission.” But the way some Christians follow it,
you would think it was the “great suggestion.” Sharing our faith, however, is
something that Jesus wants—and commands—us to do! How do we do this? First
Peter 3:15-16 tells us to be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks us about
the hope we have in Jesus. Here are four passages from God’s Word that will help
you to share your faith.
1. You Don’t Need Any Training to Share. A changed heart is all you need
to begin sharing your faith with others (see John 9:1-41, page 949).
2. Be Open to God’s Leading. Effectively sharing your faith begins with a
willing heart (see Acts 8:4-8, 26-38, page 979).
