After someone is baptized, it is critical that they continue to be taught. They must learn “all things that [Jesus] commanded” (cf. Matt. 28:20). There is so much to know, that it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Here are some things to keep in mind!
Keep in mind that you are a babe in Christ! Babes don’t know it all and can’t know it all. They’re babes! And this is a natural and necessary stage for those who have just been baptized (cf. 1 Pet. 2:2; 1 Cor. 3:1-2), for they have been born anew (cf. John 3:3-5). Nevertheless, babes must grow, in order to survive (cf. 2 Pet. 1:5-11; 2 Pet. 3:18), starting out with the milk of the Word and proceeding to depths of meat (Heb. 5:12-14; 1 Cor. 3:2).
Keep in mind that you are a new person! You put away your old lifestyle (Col. 3:9) and old conduct (1 Pet. 1:14-18) when you were baptized, and you were raised to walk a new life (Rom. 6:4) as a new person (2 Cor. 5:17). The “new” lifestyle and conduct will take some “getting used to,” because it is “new.” Nevertheless, remember that your “old man was crucified with Him” (Rom. 6:6), so you need to leave your old ways and concentrate on the new way that the Lord wants you to live, “in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24).
Keep in mind that you are a child of God! Children are to follow. Children are to listen. Children are to learn. It is important to remember that the “thoughts” of your Father and the “ways” of your Father are not like nor do they conform to your “thoughts” and your “ways” (Isa. 55:8-9). Rather, your “thoughts” and your “ways” need to conform to your Father (cf. Heb. 10:7; Jas. 4:7, 15).
Keep in mind that you are a representative of Christ! When you were baptized, you “put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27), and at the same time, Christ came to “live in you” (cf. Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 13:5). So, as you are growing (as a babe) and as you are changing (into a new person), remember that you are no longer living for yourself but living for Him who loved you and gave His life for you (Gal. 2:20). When the world looks at you, they need to see Christ modeled in your words and deeds (cf. 2 Cor. 3:2; Col. 3:16; Matt. 5:16; 1 Tim. 4:12).
Keep in mind that you are a citizen of heaven! You are no longer just a citizen of an earthly nation, but upon being baptized, the Lord registered your name in heaven (cf. Heb. 12:23), thus making you a citizen of heaven. This should help you remember that this world is not your home (cf. 1 Pet. 2:11) and that you live by a “higher law” of a Divine origin (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 1:22-25). You are to live by heaven’s standard so that you can reach your home in heaven.
(More Next Week)