Now that you belong to Christ, the life of faith begins: follow Him, abide in Him, be changed into His likeness, love His people, bear witness to His grace, and grow in the knowledge of Christ. Not to earn salvation, but because of it.
Not a summary of these passages: the passages themselves. Read them, then come back to the study below.
The study
What the Scripture says
1
Follow Jesus daily
Following is not a one-time decision but the shape of a whole life: 'If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.' His sheep 'hear his voice… and the sheep follow him.' It is a walk, not a moment.
He said to all, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross,and follow me.
Jesus is the vine and we are the branches: 'Remain in me, and I in you… apart from me you can do nothing.' Abiding means staying connected to Christ, through His word, prayer, and obedience, so that His life flows through us and we bear fruit that remains.
Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you. “In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples.
The Spirit transforms us 'into the same image, from glory to glory.' In the gospel we are being renewed by the Spirit to reflect Christ, putting on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and love, and being transformed by the renewing of our minds.
But we all, with unveiled face seeing the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit.
Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.
Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Jesus gave us a new command: 'love one another, just like I have loved you,' and said that by this, everyone will know we are His disciples. We are not meant to walk alone. We gather, we encourage, we carry one another's burdens, and we do not forsake the assembly.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.
The risen Christ sends us: 'Go, and make disciples of all nations.' And He tells us to 'grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.' Saved people tell others about the Savior, and they keep growing in Him, all the way home.
Go,and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.