Some are graced to speak and whatever they say under the influence of this grace comes to pass. Everyone receives grace according to the measure of the gifts of Christ. All you need to do is present yourself and wait patiently for God’s grace.
What kind of Grace are sinners called to receive?
Sinners are called to receive saving grace by repenting from their sins, confessing them, and forsaking them.
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works“. Titus 2:11-14
“But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” Acts 15:11
Sin separates every sinner from God but through repentance, they receive forgiveness and reconciliation back to God by grace. At salvation, sinners are quickened to benefit from the commonwealth of believers.
The importance of fellowship and church attendance to the new converts
Through church attendance, new converts are taught about Christ, more grace, and the lifestyle of God’s kingdom. They are trained to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. They are trained to look up to Jesus in everything they do and avoid anything void of Christ. They are taught to please Jesus above self or anyone else; to purify themselves and be zealous in God’s work.
The teaching of God’s word is important to the spiritual growth of new converts.
The saving grace of God comes at salvation and continues through education of the word of God. Nobody can work for God in the absence of more grace and righteousness.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me“. Matthew 25:35-40
New converts crave to hear God’s word for growth and to receive more grace other than the saving grace. Teaching them the word, visiting their homes, and guiding them on the right path is very important. Therefore, ministers and church workers must feed the new converts with God’s word. They must quench their thirsts, clothe them, heal their wounded hearts, and deliver them from satanic bondages.
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world“. James 1:27
“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you“. Romans 1:11
The importance of visiting and fellowshipping with the new converts
New converts can be likened to the fatherless because they have lost their father, Satan, because of salvation. They must be visited and invited to church meetings to connect them back to God their Father, Jesus their senior brother and you as a member of the family of God.
“Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! We used to take sweet counsel together; within God’s house we walked in the throng. Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!” Psalms 112:1; 55:14; 132:7
New converts will be glad when you visit them in their homes – try to find out their challenges and pray with them. They will be glad when you invite them ahead of time before fellowship through visitation or phone calls. They will be happy when you call them to know about their welfare. They will be happy to know that someone cares for them. They will be glad to commune and walk in the company of the brethren to the place of fellowship. They will learn to worship God when they see you do likewise.
All senior pastors in charge of church money must release it for the welfare of new converts and the helpless members. Church money is not meant only for privileged church members. It’s not meant to be stacked in the bank or for personal investment alone, but for evangelism (Revelation 22:17; John 1:45, 46; 17:6-12; Matthew 28:1-7).
The danger of not following up with the new converts
Gathering sinners and new converts without proper follow-up is as good as doing nothing.
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also, will it be with this evil generation.” Matthew 12:43-45
Taking people out of Egypt and leaving them in the hands of Aaron equals exposing them to higher idolatry. Dangerous demons worse than they experienced while in Egypt will possess them times seven.
How the new converts should be handled and what they should be taught:
These new converts must be taught to disengage from the Egyptian lifestyles (Exodus 32:1-10, 19-23). They need constant encouragement, instructions, intercessions, and guidance. They must be taught the difference between God’s love and the love of the world. They must be made to understand the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. All their questions and confusion must be cleared using the scriptures and made to understand that salvation is by God’s grace.
Another thing they must be taught is the fruit of the Spirit and how to pray for it. Teach them how to pray by leading them to pray. Take them along to visit other new converts and encourage them to do so. Invite them to attend Christian programs and encourage them to invite others. Let them know about water baptism, Christian witnessing, restitution, the need for sanctification, and Christian persecution. When all these have been done, the next thing is to encourage them to start working for and walking with Jesus Christ.