Psalm 119: A Message to New Converts

JOSHUA ALEXANDER

The Christian walk is a marathon, not a race. Sometimes, once a person is baptized, they rise out of the water on fire for Christ. Over time, the world starts to creep back into their life, and the fire is snuffed out. In every congregation, there is a percentage of converts who fall out of the “back door” of the congregation. Sometimes, there is nothing that can be done to prevent this from happening from our perspective. However, we do need to recognize that new converts are babes in Christ. They need encouragement and training in order to grow. 

In Psalm 119:41-48, the psalmist lists a number of actions that one who is devoted to God will do. The Christian can look at this list and make spiritual application to his own life, as well as use this as training for the babe in Christ.

“So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me” 

The Apostle Peter encouraged Christians in the first century to “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Pet. 3:21). That word “answer” is the word “apologia” from which we get the word “Apologetics.” This word carries with it the idea of giving a defense. This is not about answering Bible questions, but it is about giving a defense of your faith in Christ under the threat of persecution or even death. The same idea is found in Revelation 2:10 “be thou faithful unto death”. Be willing to stand and defend your faith under any circumstances. The new convert must realize that his faith is going to be tested. Our Lord’s baptism is recorded in Matthew Chapter 3. What happened immediately after his baptism? “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil” (Mat. 4:1). Temptation to go back into the world will come, and we must stay strong.

“So shall I keep thy law continually forever and ever”

Walking the Christian life takes patience and endurance. Patience often is learned when your faith is tried (Rom. 5:3-4, James 1:2-4). Faith is easy when everything is going well. It is only when one’s faith is tested that true patience can be learned. Sometimes, Christians leave the church the second things become difficult. The moment something happens that they do not like, they may move congregations or quit the Church entirely. This is not the attitude we should have. We must work with endurance and patience. We are a family, and families stick together no matter what. Whatever comes our way, we will get through it together.

“I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed”

The Apostle Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:16). He was willing to stand and speak the word of God before anyone who would listen. New converts often have many friends and family members and other influences outside of the church. They need the gospel! Who is going to tell them? You can refer your preacher or elders to them, which would be appreciated. However, every member of the congregation has the obligation to speak about Jesus to whoever will listen. This can be an intimidating task for anyone, especially for new converts. This is a process that will not be learned overnight. Start small and work your way up. Maybe we are not ready to have a Bible study quite yet. Can we invite our neighbor to church? Can we take a visitor out to lunch? Can we get contacts to give to others? Can we write a card? There are many ways to get involved in local evangelism for every member of the congregation, no matter where they are in their walk with Christ.

What is the point? There are different faith stages represented in each congregation. Some have been in the church for many years, and some have not been Christians very long at all. However, the same things which can draw away a new convert can also be tempting to the seasoned Christian. We all must be diligent in our Christian walk, making sure that we all finish our course and keep the faith until the very end. May we ever strive to do what the Hebrews writer encouraged the early church to do, “ let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1).