Back when I taught a class of new Christians, I prepared the following article, which I just came across in some file clean-up. I think it is worth sharing. Jesus tells us to “Go and make disciples…” This advice is a beginning process of “making disciples.”

Now that you are a Christian, what can you expect of your new relationship with Jesus?  Think of it as described in Revelations 3:20 which gives a picture of you having opened the door and let Christ come in.  He will then “sup” (eat) with you.  That means he will live with you.  A Christian is a new creation  – one in whom Jesus dwells.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (II Cor. 5:17). 

I Corinthians 6:19 says, “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you…”   Colossians 1:27 talks about a glorious mystery “which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”  Romans 13:14 says for us to “clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.”  It might help to think of yourself as a sponge in a bowl of water.  You are in the water and the water is in you.  In other words: You are in Christ and Christ is in you!

Chapter 15:1-17 of John tells us we are branches of the true vine, Jesus Christ.  To remain alive and produce good fruit, one must be attached to Jesus.  I Corinthians 12:12-26 compares us each to being a part of the body of Christ.  This shows our importance in remaining in Christ.  We each have a part to play in his body (the church). 

I have chosen the above scriptures so that you can see that you really are in Christ and Christ is in you.  Amazing, isn’t it?  If you see the reality of this, it will help you greatly to overcome sin and walk in faith and love.  You are no longer the same as you were before accepting Christ.  Romans 8:9-11 says you are no longer controlled by the old sinful nature but you are alive because of righteousness.  Ist John 2:3-6 says we are to walk as Jesus did.  Romans 12:1 and 2 says to offer our bodies as living sacrifices and be transformed by renewing our minds.  And the end of that chapter (12:11) says to overcome evil with good. 

Is all of this easy?  No, but it is easier than having a constant fight with one’s fleshly desires.  Be sold out to live like Jesus, acknowledge sin and repent quickly, Jesus continues to forgive when you go to him with a repentant heart.  He is the mediator  (I Timothy 2:5).  Old habits are hard to break.  But think of Jesus in you.  He is the Overcomer; we are more than conquerors through Him (Romans 8:37, 38) 

Galatians 5:16 through 6:10 gives a picture of life and victory in the Spirit as opposed to a life of sin.  Look at Romans 12:11 again.  Overcome evil with good!