BE EQUIPPED
p\Preparation
When you become a new believer in Christ, you may wonder what happens next? Is it possible to prepare myself as a Christian? The purpose of our lives as newly baptized members of the body of Christ is to glorify God and to do what He desires. Especially in the current cultural environment, this can be challenging. To accomplish God's work and be complete in Him, I want to highlight ways to prepare you for this new life and be equipped for the work of the gospel.
As part of the perfecting process, we rely largely on the Bible and other believers. Timothy, who was a disciple of the Apostle Paul, was a prime example of this process at work in his life. From an early age, his mother and grandmother taught him the scriptures. As he grew, he was able to watch them live out their faith, which prepared and impacted his own.
Scriptures
The Bible is not only a source of knowledge but also wisdom so we can know Jesus Christ and become more like him. This is how scripture equips us to carry out this process:
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2Timothy 3:16-17
Furthermore, the Bible provides us with hope and encouragement regarding the fulfillment of God's promises (Romans 15:4)
The word of God provides us with guidance in this world, so we do not stumble or fall. Invest some time in reading the Bible every day.
Your word is a lamp to walk by, and a light to illumine my path. Psalm 119:105
The Church
All believers form one body, the church, which is Christ's body. In the church, Christ has appointed leaders to equip us.
It was he who gave some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Sone of God- a mature person attaining to the measure of Christ's full stature.
Ephesian 4: 11-16
We all should be willing to help each other grow, not just leaders. Pastors are responsible for providing care to the body, but they cannot do it alone. As members of this community, it is our responsibility to encourage and build others up, and sometimes to correct them as well.
Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.
1 Thessalonians 5: 11, 14
This is why we should not abandon our efforts to gather together, since these occasions provide us with the opportunity to encourage one another and build us up during challenging times.
