The Starting Point
There’s a moment in every Christian’s story where everything changes. For some, it’s dramatic—a sudden realization, a prayer whispered through tears. For others, it’s quiet and gradual, like a sunrise breaking over the horizon. Either way, accepting Christ is just that: a starting point, not the finish line.
I remember the first time I really understood this. I’d heard people talk about being “born again” and thought it meant you checked a box and moved on—like signing up for a club. But the truth is, saying “yes” to Jesus is only the beginning of a life-long adventure. The moment you accept Christ, something incredible happens: the Holy Spirit comes to live in you. You might not feel different right away, but from that point on, God is at work inside you, shaping you, guiding you, changing you from the inside out.
The Bible has a word for this: sanctification. It’s just a fancy way of saying that God isn’t finished with us yet. He loves us as we are, but He also loves us too much to leave us that way. Sanctification is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, making us more like Jesus. It’s a process—not a one-time event.
2 Peter 3:18 puts it like this: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever! Amen.” Growth is the expectation. God wants us to become more holy—not in a stuffy, uptight way, but in a way that sets us apart for His purposes. We start to care about things we never cared about before. We get a hunger for God’s Word, a desire to pray, a longing to love people the way Jesus does.
I’ve found that after the excitement of “getting saved” wears off, you start to realize how much more there is to this faith. You start to get the desire for more. More understanding, more closeness with God, more freedom from old habits and ways of thinking. The best part? You’re not doing it alone. The Holy Spirit is there every step of the way, nudging, teaching, sometimes convicting, always encouraging.
Sanctification isn’t always easy. There are days when it feels like you’re taking two steps forward and one step back. But every time you turn to God, every time you open your Bible or whisper a prayer, you grow. Little by little, you become more like Jesus—patient, kind, forgiving, full of grace.
So if you’ve just accepted Christ, or you’re wondering what’s next, know this: the journey is just beginning. Salvation is the starting point, but God’s got so much more in store for you. Keep growing. Keep seeking. Let the Holy Spirit do His work in you. And remember—this journey is for life, and it’s worth every step.
Closing Prayer and Invitation
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for meeting us right where we are. Thank You for the gift of salvation, and for sending Your Holy Spirit to live within us. We’re grateful that You don’t just save us and leave us, but You walk with us, teaching us, shaping us, and helping us grow more like Jesus every day. Give us a deeper hunger for Your Word and a desire to follow You more closely. Help us to trust Your process, even when growth feels slow or difficult. Remind us that You are always at work in us, and that Your love never fails.
For anyone listening or reading who hasn’t taken that first step, I invite you now:
If you’re ready to begin this journey with Jesus, simply open your heart and talk to Him. You can pray something like this:
“Jesus, I need You. I admit I can’t do this life on my own. I believe You died for me and rose again. I ask You to forgive my sins, come into my life, and lead me. I want to follow You and grow to be more like You.”
If you prayed that, welcome to the family of God—the journey is just beginning, and you’re not alone.
Lord, for all of us, keep us close to You. Fill us with Your Spirit and guide us as we grow. May we bring glory to Your name, now and always.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.