Now What



Some people are as curious as cats, whereas, this writing leans toward life rather than the notion that ‘curiosity killed the cat’.  My research has revealed that this proverbial expression has been around for centuries; having different meanings.

I believe that curiosity can be a good thing, but patience must inter into the scenario concerning life.  The shortcoming that can undermine a person’s good sense, in this computer age, is the lack of patience.  Some individuals demand answers now, while others are easy going and take each day as it comes.

The nature of most people is that of impatience.  Curiosity, as it were, stimulates an inner drive of a “Now what?” mentality.  They don’t want things a month, a week, or even a day from now; they want it in the present—now.  Christians are no different.

After I accepted Jesus into my heart, my next question was, “Now what?”  I wanted more of Him and a deeper relationship, yet having questions that needed to be answered.  I was curious and wanted to understand the meaning of life and what it held for me now that I was a Christian. 

Just because God changes a person’s status in Him at the moment of conversion, being born again as it is called, does not always negate that person’s personality traits overnight.  It takes time for questions to be answered through the reading of the Bible and receiving advice and direction from mature Christians in the faith. 

Listening to sermons presented by God-anointed preachers certainly gives insight into God’s plan for our life and what He expects of us now that we have become His child.  It takes a little longer for some people, depending on their personality, to bring positive changes to the surface.

I have seen new Christians that were gung-ho in their newly found relationship with Christ.  They knew the return of Jesus was imminent, so they stepped out in faith; relying on the Holy Spirit to give them boldness to witness. 

Jesus is coming back to earth to receive unto Himself those that are living for Him.  It is called the ‘Rapture of the Church’.  It could happen at any moment.  We must be ready to meet Him if we want to make heaven our home.   

I have seen other new Christians struggle to share their faith, because of personal inhabitations.  Personalities differ with respect to outward boldness, but the Holy Spirit is able to bring about courage if given the time.  God renews strength each day as we learn to trust and obey His Word. 

As a baby learns to walk, so it is with babes in Christ.  With each stumble and fall, God lovingly picks them up and sets them on their feet once again to continue the process of learning how to walk with the Lord.   As they become increasingly sure of themselves and confident in their balance and abilities, they are soon running and doing a work for God, asking, “Now what?” as they grow in grace. 

Life is fleeting and we must share with others the love that God has to offer through His Son Jesus, while there is yet time.  God gives us the where-with-all to be able to achieve goals that are set before us as we yield to His unchanging love, through our eyes of faith… “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).   

(2 Corinthians 4:16-18), “Therefore we do not lose heart.  Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.”  vs.17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,”  vs.18 “while we do not look at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

I believe that when we invite the Lord into our heart and receive the gift of salvation through Jesus, our spirit takes on perfection, because Jesus is perfect.  We are not saved for who we are or what we’ve done, because forgiveness of sin comes only through Him.  Our righteousness is as filthy rags in the sight of God.

(John 3:16), “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Newborn babes in Christ need to be encouraged and strengthened by those that are strong; mature Christians in the faith.  We are to help those that are weak among us. 

(Romans 15:1), “We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak…”

They that are founded in faith should not look upon another Christian, especially those that are new to the faith, and point their finger of accusation and set themselves in judgment against them lest they be judged of God.  We are all sinners saved by grace.  With encouragement and giving a helping hand to new Christians, they too will ask, “Now what?”

(Romans 14:4) “Who are you to judge another’s servant?  To his own master he stands or falls.  Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.”

(Matthew 7:1-5), “Judge not, that you be not judged.”  vs.2 “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”  vs.3 “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?”  vs.4 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?”  vs.5 “Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

I have seen those that came to the Lord become impatient with themselves and God when direction or maturity failed to materialize right away.  This breeds boredom and confusion.

It is dangerous when supposed (Christians in the faith) criticize and look down their nose at these new Christians, rather than taking time to give them a hand up and help them become established in the church; seeing that they are firmly planted in activities that support their growth in the Lord.  These unconcerned individuals can cause these babes to stumble.

It is shameful when Christians fail in areas of spiritual discipleship.  They could become God’s hand outstretched to new Christians if they would allow the Holy Spirit to lead them.  Instead of judging and condemning their weaknesses in God, they could become a mentor and strengthen new believers in the things of the Lord.

When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord of our life, we become a part of the family of God—sons and daughters of God.  We must then hold each other up in prayer.  It is important to the spiritual growth of new Christians that a brother or sister-in-Christ encourages them to share with others the miraculous transformation that took place when they invited Jesus into their heart. 

This verbal assent builds strength and reconfirms in their mind the promise that their sins were forgiven and they are now a new creation.  It helps to cement in their consciousness a subtle awareness that walking by faith and not by sight is a learned process, which takes time.

Though they may still act and do certain things that they once did, God sees their heart and encourages them, through the Holy Spirit, that they will make it and that Jesus will remove old habits one by one and replace them with blessings from on high.

(Philippians 2:12-13), “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;” vs.13 “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

When born-again Christians ask the question, “Now what?” they want more of God’s blessings.  God fills them in His time.  We must crawl before we walk.  God feeds us according to our ability to digest and put off carnal behaviors that are associated with mere men, which lack spiritual maturity.

(1 Corinthians 3:1-2), “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.”  vs.2 “I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;” vs.3 “for you are still carnal.  For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?”

Those that remain babes in Christ and never asking “Now what?” remain weak in the faith; always drinking the milk of immaturity; never learning to crawl or walk on their own; never becoming exposed to the real meat of God’s Word and His promises.

There is an advertisement on television that goes something like this:  “When the body is in a relaxed state, it remains non-active, whereas, an active body stays active, because of stimulation and the practice of doing.”

It is the same with our spiritual body.  We must strive to increase in spiritual strength through witnessing for Christ, prayer, and reading the Bible.  It is like working out with weights at the gym—it builds muscles, which equates to strength.

When Christians ask, “Now what?” they are on the right track for growth and spiritual maturity in the family of God.

(Romans 15:13), “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd