After someone is baptized, it is critical that they continue to be taught. Not only must they “know” what the Lord has commanded, but Jesus instructed that they must be taught “to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:20). There is so much to “do,” that it can be overwhelming to try to “do” it all. Here are some key things on which to focus.
Focus on loving! Specifically, focus on loving God! Focus on the magnitude of God’s love for us! “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Focusing on His love will move you to action: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments” (1 John 5:3; cf. John 14:15).
Focus on growing! A plant needs food, an animal needs food, a human needs food…and a soul needs food! Lack of growth as a Christian is possible (cf. Heb. 5:12-14), but it should not be accepted (cf. Heb. 6:1). Feed yourself on the Word of God (cf. 1 Pet. 2:2; Jer. 15:16), studying it diligently (2 Tim. 2:15) and daily (Acts 17:11). The Word of God is the only source of nutrition to feed and grow your faith!
Focus on praying! A Christian is one who has entered a new relationship with the heavenly Father (cf. Matt. 28:19). Therefore, it is to our Father that we should direct all our cares (1 Pet. 5:7), anxieties (Phil. 4:6), requests (Matt. 7:7), yea, “everything” (Phil. 4:6). There is not anything about which we cannot talk to our Father! Praying will change your heart, your life, your outlook and your destiny!
Focus on worshiping! To worship God is not only a command (cf. Matt. 4:10), which God expects us to not forsake (Heb. 10:25), but it is a tremendous privilege (John 4:23). The opportunity every week to praise our Lord and to observe the most solemn and heart-searching communal feast should be a priority for every Christian (cf. Matt. 6:33; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:20).
Focus on teaching! Paul stated it this way to Timothy, “The things that you have heard…commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). The life-altering, good news about Christ’s vicarious death, glorious resurrection and immutable guarantee of living with Him eternally should be too much to contain (cf. Acts 4:20). Share it with others (Mark 16:15)!
Focus on living right! You are going to be faced with a multitude of choices that boil down to two options: to follow your former way of life (cf. Eph. 4:22), characterized by sin and selfish living (Rom. 6:1-23); or, to follow your new way of life (cf. Eph. 4:24), characterized by holiness (Heb. 12:14) and Christ-centered living (Col. 1:18). Choose right!