After Salvation, What?

“Okay, I have accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. I believe in His finished work on the cross, that it was a sacrificial act performed once, for all. So, now what do I do?”

In that one moment in time, when you accepted Christ as your personal Savior, your sins were forgiven and instantly the Holy Spirit sealed you into an eternal union with Christ. You a member in “the body of Christ.” You are a member of the royal family of God (1 Corinthians 12:12; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13,22; 4:30).

The instant you were saved, you were given a special gift(s) by the Holy Spirit so that (here’s the reason) you could/can execute God’s plan for your life as a member in the body of Christ. God has a plan and a purpose for calling you, and saving you. Live for Christ.

“Christ died the most horrific death… for us. The least we can do is pursue Him, know Him, love Him, and live for Him.”

– G. W. Craig

God’s Plan for you personally is that you learn His Word (the Bible) and apply it to the details of your life. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…” (Colossians 3:16).

To do this you need to buy a “Study Bible” King James Version. Next, start your search for a Bible-teaching church in your area. (For assistance on what to look for in a Church, see our Study entitled “Spiritual Authority,” which directs deacons and church leadership on how to select a pastor/teacher, but the same directives are valid for you as a new believer when searching for the right church.) 

Exposition of Scripture is imperative

God has a Personal Predesigned Plan of Grace (PPPG) designed just for you, by Him, in eternity past. “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 1:3-23). Fulfill your personal destiny (the PPPG). Study and live God’s Word daily. Your goal should be to glorify Christ by becoming a mature believer, living for Christ as an ambassador to the world. 

Life after salvation is designed by God for your benefit and His glorification to bring stability and a true, lasting inner peace to your life—a peace that is not subject to your circumstances (John 15:8,16; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Philippians 4:7).

Hebrews 4:15: “for we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Live in Christ, and for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15; 1 Peter 4:2).

Please turn in your Study Bible and read the following: Romans 8:38,39; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 Peter 2:9. God has called you personally out of darkness into His marvelous light.

If you do not have a physical Study Bible, please get one. A Ryrie Study Bible, King James Version, is recommended.

Now that you are saved eternally, learn Bible doctrine so you can tell others and defend what you believe. After salvation, God leaves us on earth to tell the “good news: salvation through Christ Jesus.” Remember, your faith is new and must be nourished, “else you fall back into doubt.” Faith comes (and is strengthened) by the Word of God (Romans 10:17)

James W. Knox said it this way:

When you trust Christ as your Savior, He now takes you out of this realm of spiritual death and gives you everlasting life. That’s what Jesus Christ does for the sinner who trusts him—from death to life; from darkness to light; from transgression to righteousness. And here’s what the Lord says: “Now that I have done this for you, I am asking you to do a little something for Me, which is, in reality, doing a really great thing for yourself. Don’t just trust Me to forgive your sins, trust Me enough to teach you how to live without them. Don’t just trust Me enough to get you out of the darkness in declaration and into the light in declaration, but allow Me to get you out of the darkness and into the light in your practical living. It is evidently possible to be saved and live as though you are not. And it is evidently true that is a matter of choice, it is an optional matter.

If you are saved, it’s because you’ve decided one day to trust Jesus Christ as your Savior. And if you are saved, but living as though you are not, it is because you are deciding daily to live as though Jesus never did anything for you when he saved you.

You say, “Why do you say that?” Well, look at Colossians 3:5: “Mortify therefore your members…” Christ died for me, shed his blood for me, and offered me eternal life when I trusted Him. He took me out of one kingdom (darkness and death) into another (light and everlasting life). He took me out of one condition and into another. He did all that for me, but He’s asking me to do something for Him. He says to you, “I will help you stop with the fornication. I will help you to stop with the unclean living. I will help you to stop with having an affection for things that violate my ordinances. I will help you to stop perversion in your life, but you must be willing to put those things to death. When I find you willing, I will provide the help that you need. just as when I found you willing to be saved I provided the salvation that you need.” 

The Bible tells us to be “occupied with Christ.” Keep your eyes upon Him. And when you do so, HE is on your mind, and not your sin, and not your temptations, not your troubles, not your worries, and not your past, no matter how bad it was. Christ has the power to change you, to deliver you from whatever it is that hinders you, and to bring calm within the storms of life. But you must be willing to trust Him and learn about Him and apply His principles to your daily life

He has unlocked the shackles of your past. He has unlocked the shackles of your sins. Now, He waits for you to shake off those chains, step away from them, keep your eyes on Him, and follow Him. The battle is the Lord’s. Step out in faith, eyes on the Lord, mind on the Lord, constantly… and He will direct your paths. His yoke is easy; His yoke is light. Give Him your burdens, your troubles, the things that tempt you. Let Him have them fully. Get Scripture in your mind and apply it to your life and you will have the best life imaginable. God is capable of giving you that. Let Him.

God the Holy Spirit now permanently indwells you. You are the temple (dwelling place) of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16). You now have wonderful reasons to be a productive person… you have a destiny and a mansion in the Kingdom of God. Give your faith to others. Live like you believe in Christ—by living what you believe so others can see Christ in your heart-life and actions. Be a living witness for the Lord. People need Christ, and they will watch how you behave as a new believer.

Many people out there are without Christ, without hope, and without eternal life. The way you conduct yourself, and the way you present the Gospel (when appropriate) can and will have tremendous impact upon others. And you may just end up leading them to the Lord as well.

“Ultimate reality lies within all the unseen things around, above, below, and within us.” – G. W. Craig

Happy Studying in fields of grace, and congratulations on your salvation! Amen.

— C. S. Craig