Brand New Life in Christ

8/14/2019 Brand New Life in Christ

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All Scripture quotations are taken from the KingJames Version of the Bible, 1611, and the SpanishReina-Valera,1909.

Your Brand New Life in Christ

Copyright 1998, 2002, 2004By Robert W. Diamond

2100 Stuart StreetLongmont, Colorado 80501

If you would like more copies of this booklet, pleasecontact Robert W. Diamond at:

Email: [email protected]: 303-651-1593

Address: 2100 Stuart Street,Longmont, Colorado 80501


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DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to Fernando Lopez for the

time he put in to check my Spanish portion of thisbook. He has been a supreme example to me of abeliever with a profound faith and trust in the LordJesus Christ in extremely difficult times of testing.May he know the peace of the Lord and find strengthand comfort in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Thank

you, Fernando.

FOREWORD

My missionary life and most of my Christianwork has been centered on evangelism. One of

the difficulties of seeing someone become savedis having some follow-up material that will helpthe new believer to get started serving the Lordin the right way. Spanish Christian Literature, atleast on the foreign field, is one area I have foundseverely lacking in regards to growing in Christ.

This short book is an attempt to fill that need.Although the material in this book is not profound itdoes provide basic things for a new Christian. Maythe reader be blessed and encouraged as he or shepresses toward the mark of the high calling of God inChrist Jesus.

Robert W. Diamond


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YOUR BRAND NEWLIFE IN CHRIST

A New Believers Guide ToGrowing Spiritually

English Edition

By Robert W. Diamond


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INTRODUCTION

So you have just received the Lord Jesus Christ intoyour heart as your personal Savior and Lord. Praise

his name! Welcome to the family of God! You have justmade a decision for which you will be eternally grateful.

Now begins your spiritual journey on this earth in whichyou will experience the Lord God working in your life andusing you to bring his life to other people. What a joyousourney it will be and a challenging one, as well. Ofcourse, the devil will not like it that you now belong to

God and he will throw many difficult things your way. Butwith God in your life you will be able to overcome allSatanic works and temptations of the flesh that willseek to make your new change of life ineffective.

In this booklet you will find some helpful things to getyou started in your new spiritual life. It is important thatyou mature in Christ from this day forward. Spiritual

growth is necessary for a believer to be victorious inhis or her battle against sin, Satan and the flesh. A nongrowing Christian is an ineffective Christian in the areaof evangelism. The Lord wants his children to shine forthhis ability to change lives so that others will seek him andfind him. May the Lord be praised for what he willaccomplish in your life in the days, months, and years to

come.


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YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN

Just so it is clear to you what has taken place in yourlife, let me review the process and meaning of the new

birth. You have been born of God and are his child.Let's take a look at John 3:3-8. It says, "Jesus

answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say untothee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see thekingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can aman be born when he is old? can he enter the secondtime into his mother's womb, and be born again? Jesus

answered, Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a manbe born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter intothe kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh isflesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvelnot that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. Thewind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the soundthereof, but canst tell whence it cometh, and whither it

goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."When you received Jesus into your heart, you did itby faith in what he did for you on the cross. He boreyour sins on the cross and died in your place. You werea sinner with no means of being set free from your sinexcept through Jesus Christ. When you acknowledged thatyou were a sinner, repented of your sin, and believed in

your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, Jesusforgave you and cleansed you of your sin and then cameto live in your heart. This is what is meant by beingborn again. It is a spiritual birth that cleans you ofyour old sinful nature and gives you the nature of the livingGod. You actually have his presence living within you.This is what Jesus was referring to when he said thatman cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven withoutbeing born of the Spirit.

Verse 16 in the same chapter describes the spiritualchange as receiving eternal life. It is the life of God andit sets you free from spiritual death and forever beingdoomed to hell.


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Here's what the Word of God says in John 3:36. "Hethat believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and hethat believeth not on the Son shall not see life; but thewrath of God abideth on him." I John 5:12 says, "He that

hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son ofGod hath not life." It is clear from Scripture that thespiritual life you received when you were born again wasin the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Without Jesusyou cannot have this life. Without Jesus you cannot beborn again.

But that is what you are right now. You are born again

and the very life of God dwells in you. His Spirit dwellsin you. You now belong to God. You are his possession.You now are destined to follow the ways of the living Godand to serve him. What makes this possible I will nowdiscuss in the next chapter.


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YOU BECOME A NEW CREATION

The Word of God says in II Corinthians 5:17,"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:

old things are passed away; behold, all things are becomenew." Being born again has changed the nature of yourinner man and everything about you is now new. Youfind yourself with new desires and a genuine love forGod. Instead of naturally following the ways of sin, youdesire to do that which is right. You desire to please God.

Being new in Christ means having been translated from

the power of Satan unto the power of God. It meanshaving been set free from the chains of spiritual darknessand entering into God's glorious light. Acts 26:18 says,"To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness tolight, and from the power of Satan unto God." John 5:24tells us that a person who believes in Jesus "is passedfrom death unto life." Ephesians 2:1 says, "And you

hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins."The whole thing about mankind is that he is born withthe sinful nature and there is nothing he can do about itto change it. Only through Christ's cleansing workthrough his shed blood on the cross can man find freedomin his soul.

That is why the Scripture says that men are new in

Christ. A new life is given unto you when Jesus entersyou life. Your attitudes, your words, your thoughts, andyour actions, begin to change. You find, that thedirection your life was heading, changes, as well. Thereis purpose in your life. You are headed for heaven insteadof hell.

Because of your new found relationship with God,perhaps you are feeling a peace and joy within your heartthat you never had before. That is one of the benefitsof being cleansed of your sin. Romans 5:1 says,"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace withGod through our Lord Jesus Christ." Many people arelooking for peace, but aren't looking in the right place.


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You have found it in the Lord Jesus Christ and he hasmade you new.

This newness continues throughout your Christian walk.The key will be allowing it to affect your every day life.

You now are made available with the power of God todeal with the difficulties of this world. The devil willdo everything he can to prevent this newness from beinga reality in a practical way. In the next chapter I willshow you how to make being a new creation practical inyour every day life.


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SERVANTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

In Romans 6:18 we find these words: "Being thenmade free from sin, ye became the servants of

righteousness."The truth of the matter is that when you became a newcreation in Christ you were set free from the control ofsin over your life. You no longer have to follow yournatural tendency to sin, but can choose to walk inrighteousness. You can choose to do that which is right.You can choose to sin not.

Before, you followed your sinful nature, but now youcan freely follow righteousness. The only problem is thatyour old sinful nature will try to keep forcing itself on youand having its way in your life. Matthew 26:41 says,"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: thespirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." There isa war within your being now. There is a struggle to

cause you to sin or to follow the path of righteousness.I Peter 2:11 says, "Dearly beloved, I beseech you asstrangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, whichwar against the soul."

The Word of God reveals that those who are new inChrist should not be living a life of sin. Romans 6:2 says,"How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer

therein?" To be a new creation in Christ is to be deadto sin. It is no longer your master. Therefore the Lordcommands us in I Cor. 15:34 to "awake to righteousnessand sin not."

So how are you going to do this? How are you goingto make practical in your life the necessity of being aslave to righteousness? Above all, do not forget that Godlives in you and you can live righteously through hispower. His Holy Spirit within you helps you to be holy.He gives you strength to resist sin. You will need to yieldyourself to him. James 4:7 states, Submit yourselvestherefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee fromyou." Romans 6:13 says, "Neither yield ye your members


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as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yieldyourselves unto God, as those that are alive from thedead, and your members as instruments of righteousnessunto God." It is a matter of choice, but it is a choice you

can make when the Spirit of Almighty God dwellswithin you. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all thingsthrough Christ which strengtheneth me." Through Christyou overcome sin as you yield yourself to him.


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YOUR DAILY RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST

Additional things that will help you live a victorious,righteous life, are prayer, reading the Word of God,

witnessing to others, and fellowship with other believers.You will need to pray every day. Prayer is your lifeline

with the Lord God. Prayer is how you communicate yourneeds and the needs of others to him. Prayer is one wayof praising him and worshipping him. Through prayer theLord will talk to you and communicate things hewants you to know. You can go to the Lord boldly

through prayer as his child. Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let ustherefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that wemay obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."Matthew 7:7 says, "Ask, and it shall be given you." Takeyour needs to him through prayer. Ask according tohis will. Through prayer you can find out what his will isand through reading the Bible. I John 5:14,15 reveals

to us, "And this is the confidence that we have in him,that if we ask any thing according to his will, he hearethus; And if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask,we know that we have the petitions that we desired ofhim." What a wonderful promise this is. Also, rememberto pray with faith. Mark 11:24 says, "Therefore I say untoyou, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe

that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."Another thing you need to do to grow in your spiritualwalk with the Lord and to live righteously, is to read theWord of God on a daily basis. Jesus said in Luke 4:4,"It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, butby every word of God." The Word itself tells you howimportant it is for you. "Thy word have I hid mine heart,that I might not sin against thee." (Psalms 119:11). "Thyword is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."(Psalms 119:105) The Word of God helps you overcomesin and it gives direction in your life. This direction isdescribed in detail in II Timothy 3:16,17. It says, "AllScripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable


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for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction inrighteousness: That the man of God may be perfect,thoroughly furnished unto all good works." A promise aboutthe ability of God's Word to do good things for your life

is found in Joshua 1:8. It says, "This book of the lawshall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditatetherein day and night, that thou mayest observe to doaccording to all that is written therein: for then thou shaltmake thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have goodsuccess." So read the Word and allow it to speak toyour life. Allow it to give you direction for every decision

you have to make. Be led by the Word. Be a doer ofthe Word and not a hearer only.Two good books to start reading are Mark and John.

They give you a good look at the Lord Jesus Christ andthe new life that you have in him. It is good to memorizesome of the Scripture that you will be reading andmeditating on.

A third thing that will help you mature in Christ isto witness to others about your changed life in Christ.That means you tell others what Christ has done for you,so that they will want to have Christ in their life and theirsins cleansed and forgiven. Witnessing to others aboutChrist keeps your own spiritual life fresh and vibrant. Itwill keep you challenged to walk as holy as possible sothat your actions back up your words. People need tosee that the change in you is real before they will acceptwhat Jesus can do for them. Acts 1:8 says, "But ye shallreceive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come uponyou: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both inJerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and untothe uttermost part of the earth."

Lastly, something that you need to do now that you

are a Christian, is to find a group of believers with whichyou can worship and have fellowship. When you are withother believers you can pray together and build oneanother up in the faith. You can draw strength from oneanother to deal with the difficulties of life. Find a church


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that teaches the true Word of God. Become a part of itand enjoy your growth in Christ.

The Christian life is exciting and challenging. It's a greatexperience to get to know the Lord God more intimately.

As you spend time in his presence he will reveal more ofhimself to you. To become more like him is the responsibilityand privilege of every believer.


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WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST

To help you in your new life in Christ, the Word ofGod points out some truths of your position in the Lord.These truths can give confidence to you to overcome thedifficulties and temptations you will face as God's child.

First, the Word says that believers are overcomersand more than a conqueror through Christ. Romans 8:35-37 says, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, ornakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy

sake we are killed all the day long; we are accountedas sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things weare more than conquerors through him that loved us."These verses indicate many troubling situations in whichyou may find yourself, but God is faithful and he will notleave you alone to deal with it all. He will be right thereto help you. Through him you can live as more than a

conqueror.I John 4:1-4 says, "Beloved, believe not every spirit,

but try the spirits whether they are of God: becausemany false prophets are gone out into the world.Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit thatconfesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is ofGod: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ

is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spiritof antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come;and even now already is it in the world. Ye are ofGod, little children, and have overcome them: becausegreater is he that is in you, than he that is in theworld." You can overcome the lies and deceptions thatcome your way that will try to lead you away from the

truth and from Christ. The God of truth that indwells youis greater in all ways than the god of this world, which isthe devil.

Read this verse of encouragement. "What shall wethen say to these things? If God be for us, who can beagainst us?" (Romans 8:31) My dear brother or sister in


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Christ, you are God's child and he is for you. You areon his side. His side is the victorious one.

I encourage you to start loving the unlovable throughthe love of Christ. He will give you the strength to do it.

He will give you strength to love those who need to hearof God's love and need his forgiveness in their lives likeyou did. God commands us in his Word to love others.I John 4:8 says, "He that loveth not knoweth not God;for God is love." May you from this day on experienceGod's presence and power in your life and may youbecome more like him.


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BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

To be able to grow spiritually and to become moreChristlike in all our words, actions, attitudes, and motives, the

Lord God has provided his Holy Spirit to indwell us. When weaccept Christ as our personal Savior and become a newcreation in Christ, the Holy Spirit enters into our life, cleansesus from sin, and purifies us to live a holy life.

Yet, the new believer still needs to depend upon the Lordto help him live a holy life and to be an example to thenonbeliever. He cannot do it on his own and still has the

struggle of dealing with his fleshly nature. What he needs isfor the Holy Spirit to have complete control of his very being.

The Bible refers to this as being filled with the Holy Spirit.Now being filled with the Holy Spirit is not just an option for thebeliever, but a commandment. It is a necessity. Being savedsets us free from our sin, but being filled with the Holy Spiritleads us to holiness which God desires for all his children. The

word of God tells us that without holiness no one shall see theLord (Hebrews 12:14). It tells us that God has not called usunto uncleanness, but unto holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:7).

In the book of Acts in chapter nine, Saul, who was laternamed Paul, met the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus.This turned out to be his salvation experience, but in verseseventeen we see something else that the Lord had planned

for him. It reads, And Ananias went his way, and entered intothe house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul,the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way asthou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thysight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. The Lord wantedSaul to be filled with his Holy Spirit. It is by the Holy Spirit Saulwould have power to be a witness for Jesus and to live theholy life that God required of him.

Now I could spend much time on the topic of being filledwith the Holy Spirit, what it means, but I just want to use thesepages to make you as the new believer in Christ aware of thisimportant and necessary step to take in your Christian walk.Without the filling of the Holy Spirit the believer cannot expe-


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rience victory in his spiritual life. Without the filling of the HolySpirit the believer will be characterized by what the word ofGod calls carnality. Seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Callupon the Lord God to do just that. Surrender yourself com-

pletely to him and he will.


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BIBLE STUDY METHODS

NOTE: It is helpful to use a concordance, a Bibledictionary, a commentary, various translations of the Bible,

and an original language dictionary of Greek and Hebrewwords.

GENERALThis method can cover any amount of scripture.

What is the main idea?

What does it say about God the Father, Jesus Christ theSon, or God the Holy Spirit?

What does it say about mankind?

Are there any commands to obey?

Are there any promises to claim?

How am I going to respond?(I will. . .)

BOOK

WHO is involved?(Author, recipients, key characters, etc.)

WHEN was it written?(Date, period of Bible history, political climate, etc.)

WHERE does it take place?(Location of author, recipients, key characters, etc.)

WHY was it written?(Immediate and long range purpose)

WHAT does it say?


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(Major theme, characteristic words, phrases or ideas,commands to obey, promises to claim, skeletal outline ofcontents)

HOW am I going to respond?(I will. . .)

CHAPTEROBSERVE - What does the chapter say?(Who is involved? What is happening? Where, when, andwhy events occur?)

INTERPRET - What does the chapter mean?(Work with definitions, figures of speech, customs, crossreferences, problem verses, a brief summary or outline, etc.)

APPLY - What does the chapter mean to me?(I will. . .)

PARAGRAPHOBSERVE - What does the paragraph say?(Who-What-Where-When-Why-How?)

INTERPRET - What does it mean?(Work with definitions, contextual relations, crossreferences, doctrinal teachings, problem verses, etc. Makeyour own paraphrase or outline of paragraph.)

APPLY - What does the paragraph mean to me?(I will . . .)

VERSEOBSERVE - What does the verse say?

(Watch for verbs of action and try to discover who isinvolved in the action and why or how or with what resultthe action is being performed.)

INTERPRET - What does the verse mean?


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(Work with word studies, problem phrases, contextualrelations, cross references, etc.) Write your own paraphraseof the verse.

APPLY - What does the verse mean to me?(I will. . .)

TOPICALOBSERVE - What does the Bible say about this topic?(Ex. - love, faith, wisdom, praise, etc.) Look for commandsabout, motivations for, and instances of your topic. What

is the basic teaching in these areas?

INTERPRET - What is the uniquely Biblical meaning of thistopic? Compare the Bible definition to the dictionarydefinition (Webster's for example) and a seculardefinition (definition of your average man on the street).Write the Bible definition in your own words.

APPLY - What does this topic mean to me?(I will. . .)

BIOGRAPHICALOBSERVE - What were the facts of this life?(Ancestry and birth, youthful environment and influences,major accomplishments for God, death)

INTERPRET - What was the meaning or quality of this life?(personal strengths and weaknesses)

APPLY - What does this life teach me for today?(I will. . .)


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THEBLO

ODOFJESUS

Andtheysunganewsong,saying,Thouartwo

rthytotakethe

book,

andtoopenthe

sealsthereof:forthouwasslain,andhastrede

emed

ustoGodbythybloodoutofev

erykindred,andtongue,andpeople,

andnation;

andhastmadeusuntoourGod

kingsandpriests:

Andw

eshallreignon

theearth.Revelation5:9,10

ITISNECESSA

RY:Andalmostallthingsarebythelawpurged

withblood;and

withoutshedding

ofbloodisnoremission.Hebrews9:2

2

ITISPRECIOUS:Forasmuchasy

eknowthatyewerenotredeemed

withcorruptiblethings,assilvera

ndgold,fromyour

vainconversation

receivedbytra

ditionfromyourfathers;Butwiththe

preciousbloodof

Christ,asofalambwithoutblemishandwithoutspot.IPeter1:18,19

ITCLEANSES:

Butifwewalkinth

elight,asheisint

helight,wehave

fellowshipone

withanother,andthebloodofJesusChristhisSon

cleansethusfromallsin.IJohn1:7

ITJUSTIFIES:B

utGodcommende

thhislovetoward

us,inthat,whilew

e

wereyetsinners,Christdiedforu

s.Muchmorethen

,beingnowjustifie

d

byhisblood,weshallbesavedfro

mwraththroughh

im.Romans5:8,9

ITOVERCOMES:Andtheyoverca

mehimbythebloo

dofthelamb,and

bythe

wordoftheirte

stimony;andtheylovednottheirlivesuntodeath.Revelation12:11


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TU VIDA NUEVAEN CRISTO

Una Gua Por CreyentesNuevos Para Crecer

Espiritualmente

La Edicin Espaola

Por Robert W. Diamond


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INTRODUCCION

As tu acabas de recibir al Seor Jesucristo en tucorazn como tu Salvador y Seor personal. Alabado

sea su nombre! Bienvenido a la familia de Dios. Acabasde hacer una decisin por la cual sers agradecidoeternamente.

Ahora comienza tu viaje espiritual sobre la tierra enlo cual experimentars a Dios trabajando en tu vida yusndote para traer su vida a otra gente. Que viajegozoso ser y uno retadoso, tambin! Claro, al diablo

no le gustar que le pertenezcas a Dios y tirar muchascosas difciles hacia ti. Sin embargo, con Dios en tu vidapodrs vencer todas las obras satnicas y tentaciones dela carne que se buscarn hacer ineficaz tu nuevo cambiode vida.

En este libro encontrars algunas cosas tiles que sete ayudarn empezar tu nueva vida espiritual. Es

importante que te madures en Cristo de hoy en adelante.Crecimiento espiritual es necesario para que un creyentesea victorioso en su batalla contra el pecado, Satans,y la carne. Un cristiano que no crezca es un cristianoineficaz en la area de evangelismo. El Seor quiere quesus nios muestren la abilidad del Seor a cambiar lasvidas para que otros le busquen y le encuentren.

Que sea alabado el Seor por lo que cumplir en tuvida en los das, las meses, y los aos que vienen.


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DEBES SER NACIDO DE NUEVO

Justo as que te sea claro lo que has tomado lugaren tu vida, djame revisar el proceso y significado del

nuevo nacimiento. Tu has sido nacido de Dios y eres sunio.

Miremos a Juan 3:3-8. Se dice, Respondi Jess,y djole: De cierto, de cierto te digo, que el que no naciere otravez, no puede ver el reino de Dios. Dcele Nicodemo: Cmopuede el hombre nacer siendo viejo? puede entrar otra vezen el vientre de su madre, y nacer? Respondi Jess: De

cierto, de cierto te digo, que el que no naciere de agua y delEspritu, no puede entrar en el reino de Dios. Lo que esnacido de la carne, carne es; y lo que es nacido del Espritu,espritu es. No te maravilles de que te dije: Os es necesarionacer otra vez. El viento de donde quiere sopla, y oyes susonido; mas ni sabes de dnde viene, ni dnde vaya: as estodo aquel que es nacido del Espritu.

Cuando recibiste a Jess en tu corazn, lo hiciste porfe en lo que l hizo por ti sobre la cruz. El mismo llev tuspecados sobre la cruz y muri en tu lugar. Eras unpecador sin ninguna manera de ser librado de tu pecadoexcepto por medio de Jesucristo. Cuando reconociste queeres pecador, te arrepentiste de tu pecado, y creste en tucorazn que Dios levant a Jess de los muertos, Jess

te perdon y te lav de tus pecados y entonces vino avivir en tu corazn.sta es lo que significa ser nacido de nuevo. Es un

nacimiento espiritual que te limpia de tu naturalezapecadora y te da la vida del Dios Viviente. Realmentetienes la presencia de Dios dentro de tu ser. sta es alo que Jess referia cuando dijo que el hombre no puedeentrar en el reino de Dios sin ser nacido del Espritu.

Verso 16 del mismo captulo describe el cambioespiritual como recibir la vida eterna. Es la vida de Diosy te libra de la muerte espiritual y de ser eternamentecondenado al infierno.


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Aqu es lo que la palabra de Dios se dice en Juan3:36. "El que cree en el Hijo, tiene vida eterna; mas el que esincrdulo al Hijo, no ver la vida, sino que la ira de Dios estsobre l." I Juan 5:12 se dice, "El que tiene al Hijo, tiene

la vida; el que no tiene al Hijo de Dios no tiene la vida."Es claro en las Escrituras que la vida espiritual que turecibiste, cuando naciste de nuevo, se encontraba en lapersona del Seor Jesucristo. Sin Jess no puedes teneresta vida. Sin Jess no puedes ser nacido de nuevo.

Sin embargo, eso es que tu eres ahora mismo. Eresnacido de nuevo y la verdadera vida de Dios mora dentro

de ti. Su Espritu mora en ti. Ahora le perteneces a Dios.Eres su posesin. Ahora eres destinado a seguir loscaminos del Dios Viviente y servirle a l. Aqulla cosa quelo hace posible, discutir en el prximo captulo.


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TE HACES UNA NUEVA CREACION

La palabra de Dios se dice en 2 Corintios 5:17, "Demodo que si alguno est en Cristo, nueva criatura es;

las cosas viejas pasaron; he aqu todas son hechasnuevas." Siendo nacido de nuevo ha cambiado lanaturaleza de tu hombre interior y todo que te es, esnuevo. Te encuentras con deseos nuevos y un amorgenuino por Dios. En lugar de seguir natualmente loscaminos de pecado, deseas de hacer lo que escorrecto. Deseas agradecer a Dios.

Siendo nuevo en Cristo significa haber sido convertidode la potestad de Satans a la potestad de Dios.Significa haber sido librado de las cadenas de lastinieblas espirituales y haber entrado en la luz gloriosade Dios. Hechos 26:18 se dice, "Para que abras susojos, para que se conviertan de las tinieblas la luz, yde la potestad de Satans a Dios." Juan 5:24 se nos

dice que la persona quien cree en Jess, "mas pas demuerte vida." Efesios 2:1 se dice, Y de ella recibisteisvosotros, que estabais muertos en vuestros delitos y peca-dos."

La verdad acerca de la humanidad es que todos sonnacidos con la naturaleza pecadora y no hay nada quepueden hacer para cambiarla. Solamente por medio de la

obra purificadora de la sangre derramada de Cristosobre la cruz, puede el hombre encontrar libertad en su alma.Por eso, las Escrituras se dicen que los hombres son

nuevos en Cristo. Una vida nueva te es dada cuandoJess entra en tu vida. Tus actitudes, tus palabras, tuspensamientos, tus acciones, se comienzan a cambiar.Encuentras, que la direccin tu vida se encaminaba,se cambia, tambin. Hay propsito en tu vida. Te vasal cielo en vez del infierno.

Porque de tu nueva relacin con Dios, quizs te sientasuna paz y gozo en tu corazn que nunca te has sentido.Eso es uno de los benificios de ser limpiado de tupecado. Romanos 5:1 se dice, "Justificados, pues, por


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la fe, tenemos paz para con Dios por medio de nuestroSeor Jesucristo." Muchos estn buscando la paz, perono buscan en el lugar correcto. Tu la has encontradoen el Seor Jesucristo y l te has hecho nuevo.

Esta novedad se contiua por todo tu paso cristiano.La clave ser que tu la permites afectar a tu vida todoslos dias. Ahora eres hecho disponible con el poder deDios para tratar con las dificultades de este mundo. Eldiablo har todo lo posible para prevenir a estanovedad de ser una realidad en una manera prctica. Enel prximo captulo te mostrar como hacer prctico en

tu vida, tu nuevo cambio en Cristo.


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SIERVOS DE LA JUSTICIA

En Romanos 6:18 encontramos estas palabras: "Ylibertados del pecado, sois hechos siervos de la justicia." La

verdad es que cuando fuiste hecho nuevo en Cristo, fuistelibrado del control del pecado en tu vida. Ya no tienes queseguir tu tendencia natural de pecar, sino que puedasescoger a andar en la justicia. Puedas escoger a hacer loque es correcto. Puedas escoger a no pecar.

Antes, seguias a tu naturaleza pecadora, peroahora puedes seguir libremente la justicia. El nico

problema es que tu naturaleza pecadora tratar deforzarse contra ti y salirse con la vida tuya. Mateo 26:41se dice, "Velad y orad, para que no entris en tentacin;el espritu la verdad est presto, mas la carne enferma."Hay una guerra dentro de tu ser ahora. Es un conflicto acausarte pecar o seguir el camino de la justicia. 1 Pedro2:11 se dice, "Amados, yo os ruego como extranjeros

y peregrinos, os abstengis de os deseos carnales quebatallan contra el alma."La Palabra de Dios se revela que aquellos quienes

son nuevos en Cristo no debieran estar viviendo unavida de pecado. Romanos 6:2 se dice, "Porque los quesomos muertos al pecado, cmo viviremos an en l?"Ser una nueva creacin en Cristo es estar muerto al

pecado. Por esa razn el Seor nos manda en 1 Corintios15:34, "Velad debidamente, y no pequis."As, cmo vas a hacer sta? Cmo vas a hacer

prctico en tu vida la necesidad de ser un esclavo de lausticia? Sobre todo, no olvides que Dios mora en ti y tupuedes vivir recto por medio de su poder. Su EsprituSanto dentro de ti te ayuda ser santo. El te da fuerzaresistir pecado. Necesitars rendirte l. Santiago 4:7se dice, "Sometaos pues a Dios; resistid al diablo, y devosotros huir." Romanos 6:13 se dice, "Ni tampocopresentis vuestros miembros al pecado por instrumentode iniquidad; antes presentaos Dios como vivos de losmuertos, y vuestros miembros Dios por instrumentos de


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usticia." Es un asunto de escogido, pero un escogido quepuedes hacer cuando el Espritu de Dios Todopoderosomora en ti. Filipenses 4:13 se dice, "Todo lo puedo enCristo que me fortalece." A traves de Christo puedes vencer

pecado como te entregas a l.


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TU RELACION DIARIA CON CRISTO

Cosas adicionales que se te ayudarn vivir una vidavictoriosa y justa, son la oracin, el leer de la palabra de

Dios, el dar testimonio a otros, y la comunin con otroscreyentes.

Necesitars orar todos los dias. La oracin es tu lneavital con el Seor Dios. La oracin es como le comunicastus necesidades y las necesidades de otros a l. Laoracin es una de las maneras de alabar y adorar a l.A travs de la oracin el Seor te hablar y comunicar

cosas que quiere que sepas. Puedes acercarte al Seorconfiadamente como su nio por medio de la oracin.Hebreos 4:16 se dice, "Llegumonos pues confiadamente altrono de la gracia, para alcanzar misericordia, y hallar graciapara el oportuno socorro." Mateo 7:7 se dice, "Pedid, yse os dar." Llvale tus necesidades a travs de laoracin. Pide segn su voluntad. A travs de la oracin

y el leer de la palabra de Dios puedes descubrir que essu voluntad. 1 Juan 5:14,15 se nos revela, "Y esta es laconfianza que tenemos en l, que si demandremos algunacosa conforme su voluntad, l nos oye. Y si sabemos quel nos oye en cualquiera cosa que demandremos, sabemosque tenemos las peticiones que le hubiremos demandado."Que promesa maravillosa es sta! Tambin, recuerda a

orar con fe. Marcos 11:24 se dice, "Por tanto, os digo quetodo lo que orando pidiereis, creed que lo recibiris, y osvendr."

Otra cosa que necesitas hacer para crecer en tu vidaespiritual con el Seor y vivir recto, es leer la Palabrade Dios diariamente. Jess dijo en Lucas 4:4, "Escrito est:Que no con pan solo vivir el hombre, mas con toda palabrade Dios." La Palabra s misma te dice como importante espor ti. "En mi corazn he guardado tus dichos, para nopecar contra ti." (Salmos 119:11). "Lmpara es mis piestu palabra, y lumbrera mi camino." (Salmos 119:105).La Palabra de Dios te ayuda vencer pecado y dadireccin en tu vida. Esta direccin se describe en detalle


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en 2 Timoteo 3:16,17. Se dice, "Toda Escritura es inspiradadivinamente y til para ensear, para redargir, para corregir,para instituir en justicia, para que el hombre de Dios seaperfecto, enteramente instrudo para toda buena obra." Una

promesa acerca de la abilidad de la Palabra de Dios ahacer cosas buenas para tu vida se encuentra en Josu 1:8.Se dice, "El libro de aquesta ley nunca se apartar de tuboca: antes de da y de noche meditars en l, para queguardes y hagas conforme todo lo que en l est escrito:porque entonces hars prosperar tu camino, y todo te saldrbien." Lee la Palabra y djala hablar a tu vida. Djala

darte direccin por cada decisin que tienes que hacer.S guido por la Palabra. S hacedor de la Palabra yno tan solamente oidor.

Dos libros buenos, que puedes empezar a leer, sonMarcos y Juan. Te dan una buena mirada al Jesucristoy la vida nueva que tienes en l. Es bueno memorizaralgunas de las Escrituras que estars leyendo y meditando.

Una tercera cosa que te ayudar madurar en Cristoes dar testimonio a otros acerca de tu vida cambiadaen Cristo. Eso significa que les diga lo que Cristo hahecho por ti, para que quieran tener a Cristo en susvidas y sus pecados limpiados y perdonados. El dartestimonio de Cristo a otros, mantenga a tu propia vidaespiritual fresca y vibrante. Te retar a andar tan santocomo posible, para que tus acciones se respalden tuspalabras. La gente necesitan ver que el cambio dentrode ti es verdadero antes de que acepten lo que Jessles puede hacer. Hechos 1:8 se dice, Mas recibiris lavirtud del Espritu Santo que vendr sobre vosotros; y meseres testigos en Jerusalem, en toda Judea, y Samaria, yhasta lo ltimo de la tierra."

Finalmente, algo que necesitas hacer, ahora que eres

un cristiano, es encontrar a un grupo de creyentes conquienes puedes tener comunin y adorar a Dios. Cuandoests con otros creyentes, pueden orar juntos y seedifican en la fe. Puedes consequir fuerza de uno a otropara tratar con las dificultades de la vida. Encuentre unaiglesia que ensea la verdadera Palabra de Dios. Llega


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a ser una parte de ella y deltate en tu crecimientoen Cristo.

La vida cristiana es emocionante y retadante. Es unaexperiencia grande conocer al Seor ms ntimo. Cuando

gastas tiempo en su presencia, se te revelar ms. Paraconvertirse ms como l es la responsibilidad andprivilegio de todo creyente.


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QUIEN ERES EN CRISTO

Para ayudarte en tu vida nueva en Cristo, la Palabrade Dios ensea algunas verdades de tu posicin en el

Seor. Estas verdades pueden darte confianza paravencer las dificultades y tentaciones que enfrentars comoun nio de Dios.

Primero, la Palabra de Dios se dice que los creyentesson ms que vencedores por medio de Cristo. Romanos8:35-37 se dice, Quin nos apartar del amor de Cristo?tribulacin? angustia? persecucin? hambre? desnu-

dez? peligro? cuchillo? Como est escrito: Por causa deti somos muertos todo el tiempo: Somos estimados comoovejas de matadero. Antes, en todas estas cosas hacemosms que vencer por medio de aquel que nos am." Estosversculos se indican muchas situaciones turbulentas enlas que puedas encontrarte, pero Dios es fiel y l no tedejar tan solo para tratar con todo. l estar a tu

lado para ayudarte. A travs de l puedes vivir comoms que vencedor.I Juan 4:1-4 se dice, "Amados, no creis todo espritu,

sino probad los espritus si son de Dios; porque muchosfalsos profetas son salidos en el mundo. En esto conoced elEspritu de Dios: todo espritu que confiesa que Jesucristo esvenido en carne es de Dios: Y todo espritu que no confiesa

que Jesucristo es venido en carne, no es de Dios: y ste esel espritu del anticristo, del cual vosotros habis odo que hade venir, y que ahora ya est en el mundo. Hijitos, vosotrossois de Dios, y los habis vencido; porque el que en vosotrosest, es mayor que el que est en el mundo." Puedes vencerlas mentiras y decepciones que vendrn hacia ti parallevarte afuera de la verdad y de Cristo. El Dios de laverdad que mora en ti es mayor en todas maneras queel dios de este mundo, el que es el diablo.

Lee este verso de nimo. "Pues qu diremos esto?Si Dios por nosotros, quin contra nosotros?" (Romanos8:31) Mi querido hermano o hermana en Cristo, tu eres


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un nio o una nia de Dios y l es por ti. Eres partede su equipo. Su equipo es el uno victorioso.

Te animo empezar a amar a el no amado por mediodel amor de Cristo. El te dar el poder hacerlo. El te

dar el poder amar a los que necesitan oir del amor deDios y necesitan su perdn en sus vidas como tunecesitabas. Dios nos manda en su palabra a amar aotros. I Juan 4:8 se dice, "El que no ama, no conoce Dios; porque Dios es amor." De hoy en adelante queexperimentes la presencia y poder de Dios en tu vida yque lleges a ser ms como l.


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SEAN LLENOS DE ESPIRITU SANTO

Ser capaz de crecer espiritualmente y hacerse ms comoCristo en todas nuestras palabras, acciones, actitudes, ymotivos, el Seor Dios ha proporcionado su Espritu Santo amorar en nosotros. Cuando aceptamos a Cristo como nuestroSalvador personal y hgase una criatura nueva en Cristo, elEspritu Santo entra y cambia nuestra vida, nos limpia delpecado, y nos purifica para vivir una vida santa.

An, el creyente nuevo todava necesita depender delSeor ayudarle a vivir una vida santa y ser un ejemplo a el

incrdulo. No puede hacerlo solo y an tiene que lucharcontra su naturaleza carnal. Lo que necesita es para elEspritu Santo tener control completo de su ser.

La Biblia se refiere a este como ser lleno del Espritu Santo.Ahora ser lleno del Espritu Santo no es una opcin para elcreyente, sino un mandamiento. Es una necesidad. Ser salvonos pone en libertad de nuestro pecado, pero ser lleno del

Espritu Santo nos conduce a la santidad que Dios deseapara todos sus nios. La palabra de Dios nos dice que sin lasantidad nadie ver el Seor (Hebreos 12:14). Tambin nosdice que Dios no nos ha llamado inmundicia, sino santi-dad. (1 Tesalonicenses 4:7)

En el libro de Los Hechos en captulo nueve, Saulo. queera posterior llamado Pablo, encontr al Seor Jess sobre

el camino a Damasco. Este result ser su experiencia desalvacin. Pero en el verso diecisiete vemos algo ms que lSeor haba planeado para l. Esto lee, Ananas entoncesfu, y entr en la casa, y ponindole las manos encima, dijo:Saulo hermano, el Seor Jess, que te apareci en el caminopor donde venas, me ha enviado para que recibas la vista yseas lleno de Espritu Santo. El Seor quiso que Saulo sea

lleno de su Espritu Santo. Es por el Espritu Santo que Saulotendra el poder de ser un testigo para Jess y vivir la vidasanta que Dios requiriera de l.

Ahora yo podra gastar mucho tiempo para el tema de serlleno con el Espritu Santo, y lo que esto significa, perosolamente quiero usar estas pginas para hacerle como el


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METODOS DE ESTUDIOS BIBLICOS

NOTA: Es til usar una concordancia, un diccionariobblico, un comentario, varias versiones de la Biblia, y un

diccionario de idioma original de palabras griegas yhebreas.

GENERALEste mtodo puede incluir cualquier suma de escritura.

Cul es la idea principal?

Qu dice acerca de Dios el Padre, Jesucristo el Hijoo Dios el Espritu Santo?

Qu dice acerca de la humanidad?

Hay mandamientos que obedecer?

Hay promesas que reclamar?

Cmo voy a responder? (Voy a. . .)

LIBROQUIEN est involucrado?

(Autor, recipientes, carcteres claves, etc.)CUANDO fue escrito?(Fecha, perido de historia bblica, clima poltica, etc.)

A DONDE toma lugar?(Locacin de autor, recipientes, carcteres claves, etc.)

POR QUE fue escrito?(Propsito inmediato y/o alcance largo)

QUE se dice?


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(Tema mayor, palabras, frases o ideas caractersticas,mandamientos de obedecer, promesas de reclamar,bosquejo reducido de asunto)

COMO voy a responder? (Voy a . . .)

CAPITULOOBSERVACION - Qu dice el captulo?(Quin est involucrado? Qu sucede? A dnde,cundo, por qu ocurren los eventos?

INTERPRETACION - Qu significa el captulo?(Trabaja con definiciones, figuras, costumbres,contrarreferencias, versos problemticos, un sumario breveo bosquejo, etc,)

APLICACION - Qu me significa el captulo? (Voy a . . .)

PARRAFOOBSERVACION - Qu dice el prrafo?(Quin-Qu-A dnde-Cundo-Por qu-Cmo?)

INTERPRETACION - Qu significa?(Trabaja con definiciones, enseanzes doctrinales,contrarreferencias, relaciones pertenecientes al contexto,versos problemticos, etc. Haz tu prpio prrafo obosquejo de prrafo.)

APLICACION - Qu me significa el prrafo? (Voy a . . .)

VERSICULOOBSERVACION - Qu dice el verso?(Est a la mira de los verbos de accin y trata de

descubrir a quien est involucrado en la accin y porqu o como o con que resulta est siendo ejecutadola accin.)

INTERPRETACION - Qu significa el verso?


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(Trabaja con estudios de palabras, frases problemticas,relaciones pertenecientes al contexto, contrarreferencias,etc.) Escribe tu prpia parfrasis del verso.)

APLICACION - Qu me significa el verso? (Voy a . . .)

TOPICOOBSERVACION - Qu se dice la Biblia acerca de estetpico?(Ej. - amor, fe, sabiduria, alabanza, etc.)Busca motivaciones por, mandamientos acerca, y

instancias de tu tpico. Qu es la enseanza bsica enestas areas?

INTERPRETACION - Qu es el sentido nicamentebblico de este tpico?Compara la definicin bblica a la definicin deldiccionario (como Websters) y una definicin secular

(del hombre comn de la calle). Escriba la definicin bblicaen tus prpias palabras.

APLICACION - Qu me significa el tpico? (Voy a . . )

BIOGRAFICOOBSERVACION - Qu eran los hechos de esta vida?(Ascendencia y nacimiento, cercana juvenil e influencias,resultados mayores por Dios, muerte)

INTERPRETACION - Qu fue el significado o la cualidadde esta vida?(las fuerzas y debilidades personales)

APLICACION - Qu me ensea esta vida para hoy?

(Voy a . . .)


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L

ASANGREDEJE

SUS

Yc

antabanunnuev

ocntico,diciendo:Dignoeresde

tomarellibro,ydeabrir

sus

sellos;porquet

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usangre,

detodolinajeylenguaypuebloyna

cin;Ynoshash

echoparanuestroDios

reyesysacerd

otes,yreinaremossobrelatierra.Apocalipsis5:9,10

ESNECESARIO

:Casitodoespur

ificadosegnlaleyconsangre;ysin

derramamiento

desangrenoseh

aceremisin.Hebreos9:22

ESPRECIOSA:

Sabiendoquehab

issidorescatadosdevuestravana

conversacin,lacualrecibisteisdevuestrospadres

,noconcosas

corruptibles,comooroplata;Sinoconlasangrep

reciosadeCristo,

comodeuncorderosinmanchay

sincontaminacin

.1Pedro1:18,19

NOSLIMPIA:M

assiandamosenl

uz,comolesten

luz,tenemos

comuninentrenosotros,ylasan

gredeJesucristosuHijonoslimpia

detodopecado

.1Juan1:7

NOSJUSTIFICA:MasDiosencare

cesucaridadpara

connosotros,

porquesiendo

anpecadores,Cr

istomuripornosotros.Luego

muchomsahora,justificadosen

susangre,porlseremossalvos

delaira.Roma

nos5:8,9

VENCE:Yellos

lehanvencidoporlasangredelCordero,yporla

palabradesut

estimonio;ynohanamadosusvidashastalamuerte.

Apocalipsis12:11


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Si quisieren ms copias de este libro, por favorpnganse en contacto con Robert W. Diamond a:

Email: [email protected]: 303-651-1593Direccin: 2100 Stuart Street

Longmont, Colorado 80501


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Robert Diamond and his wife, Nancy,served as missionaries in Costa Rica forfour and a half years and a little more than

two years in Guadalajara, Mexico. They arecurrently living in Longmont, Colorado.

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Brand New Life in Christ