So you’ve decided to become a Christian and use your faith. Maybe it’s because your best friend is one, maybe it’s due to the incessant nagging on the part of your parents, or maybe God Himself descended from Heaven and told you Himself. Regardless of how you came about this new insight on life, there are plenty of things you can do after accepting Christ to bring yourself closer to Him. While you might not see an immediate change in your life, God will begin working on your heart and making it more loving towards your fellow man.
Serve Others
Many Christians believe that serving those around them brings them closer to God. You can start by simply being friendly and smiling at those around you. If you see someone in need, offer to help them. Maybe pick up some groceries for that old lady down the street who needs company or mow the lawn for your neighbor with cancer. Every act of kindness moves you closer to God, so serve others whenever possible.
Pray Daily
Prayer allows you to communicate with the Lord. It is a time for you to talk to God and tell Him whatever is on your mind, good or bad, and rest assured He will always listen. You can pray before bed or when you wake up in the morning. You can even make it a ritual of sorts to pray every time you eat something (it’s especially appropriate if you’re praying over a meal).
Read the Bible
What better way to get closer to God than by reading His own words? You can read about Jesus’ life, His miracles, and even His death. Reading the Bible allows you to understand more of what Jesus went through when He was on Earth. Plus it’s simply good for you to have a pass time that helps you become closer to God.
Go to Church
The church can be a great place to meet nice people and strengthen your relationship with God and your faith. It’s a place where you can go every week and learn from the sermons preached by pastors or priests about how Christ lived His life on Earth. You’ll learn more about God by going to Church, and it’s also a great place to meet new friends.
Be Kind Always
As stated above, every act of kindness moves you closer to God. When you’re kind, you’re acting more like Jesus Christ. Treat others the way you would want them to treat you. It might be difficult at first, especially if you’ve had a rough life or have fallen into bad habits. Forgive those who hurt you and move on with your life.
Love Others as Yourself
This is another lesson that Jesus Christ taught to His apostles. If you truly want God to love you, then show others the same love that He has shown you.
Loving others is simply good for everyone involved. It’s a lesson that many Christians try to live by, showing love to all who cross their path. If you want your faith in God to grow stronger, then love others as much as possible and show them just how much they mean to you.
Pray to God to Forgive Your Sins
The Bible is filled with many stories of people praying for forgiveness. King David, when he sinned against Bathsheba, begged God for forgiveness in Psalm 51. Moses asked the Lord to forgive him after seeing the Israelites worshipping a golden calf in Exodus. Even Jesus himself asked God for forgiveness before healing the sick and performing His miracles.
Forgiveness is a big part of Christianity, so never be afraid to ask for it. It’s always available to those who seek it. Remember that God loves you no matter what you’ve done, all that matters is that you’re trying your best to live a life honoring your faith and treating others with respect.
Be Willing to Forgive Others
Just as you need God to forgive your own sins, so do others. If someone has done something wrong or hurtful towards you, then it’s up to you to either seek revenge and repay them in kind or show them love and forgiveness. As Jesus said, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38-39).
Be Patient with Yourself
Like everyone else, you’re going to make mistakes. It’s okay to slip up once in a while, it just means that you have room for improvement and more chances to move closer towards God. Don’t be hard on yourself when you do mess up, just try harder next time.
Accept Everyone for Who They Are
Everyone deserves to be treated equally, regardless of who they are. Whether you’re talking about the homeless man on the corner or your favorite celebrity, everyone should be given a chance. The more open-minded you are and learn to accept others as they are, the more God will reveal himself to you.
Don’t Let Anything or Anyone Stop You from Growing Closer to God
This is probably the most difficult task of all because you’re going up against the outside world. Many people try their hardest to bring Christians away from God by shaming them and trying to make them feel guilty for their beliefs. You might even be going through tough times and be tempted to turn away from your faith. Don’t do it; don’t let anyone stop you from becoming closer to God!
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