Misconceptions of New Believers

Galatians 6:7 says: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Some new Christians have the misconception that when we are born again, the Lord supernaturally annihilates all of the wild oats we sowed while we were in the world. Thankfully, the Lord forgives all of our sins; nonetheless, there are sometimes consequences and repercussions for the actions of our past (so far as man is concerned). I have heard ministers preach, “If you just come to Jesus and give your life to Him, all your problems will disappear.” Friends, that is a perverted gospel. In most cases, when a man is saved, the battle has just begun. If a new believer is taught this false teaching, he will become discouraged and possibly even abandon his faith when tough times come. Believers need to be taught that trials and persecution are to be expected- even welcomed. It is during the fire that our faith is tried and tested. The hotter the fire, the purer our faith becomes. A friend encouraged me recently when he said: “The greater the pressure is on a lump of coal, the quicker the diamond is formed.” Do not grow weary, brothers, at the testing of your faith. We may well experience ramifications in the natural realm because of past sins that have found us out. (Numbers 32:23) Continue to trust God, and be thankful that He has forgiven us and placed our sins under the blood of Jesus. Even if man does not forgive or forget our past, we can rejoice because God has made us new creatures in Christ. “Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (II Corinthians 5:17)