New Driver
- Susie Wong
- Jan 23, 2025
- 2 min read
“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ,” Galatians 6:2, NIV.
To bear with one another is to understand that one is still learning and might need help, assistance, or compassion. We all need to receive and/or offer compassion on any given day.
While walking through my in-law's neighborhood, I saw this bumper sticker on a neighbor's car (photo above).
I thought, "New believers need the same grace as new drivers at times. Their adjustment from their unsaved lifestyle to their saved position can be daunting."
I remember right after my life-changing decision to follow Jesus, I was sitting in church when the pastor said, “This is a very familiar passage…”
I remember thinking, “Not to me. I’m still using the table of contents. I don’t know this book at all.” I would then slyly, as to not draw attention to this fact, look up the book of John.
I wish someone had seen me as a new believer and not someone who should know better just because I attended church with some regularity. I didn’t know anything! Well, I didn’t know much. But I was pretending to know more than I actually did, so pride became my co-captain as I learned. I wish I had a bumper sticker that said, “New believer—needs grace, mercy, and understanding.”
“Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray—not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God.
And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God…,”
I Timothy 2:8-9, MSG.
What we need to do for our fellow believers is pray and look for opportunities to encourage them, not teach them to raise their fists against an enemy in a self-righteous way. We need to encourage each other, especially our new family members. We need to help them find their stride in the way they should walk. We don’t want to discourage or lead them in a manner that ends with the rejection of their faith.
This can only be done with truth and in love. We adhere to Biblical truth, regardless if it is unpopular, and we deliver said truth in love. A love that is willing to help correct thoughts and misconceptions that are not of God; while being gracious, supportive, and kind. It’s not easy, but it is important.
We need the Holy Spirit for this high and holy calling to make disciples.
Father,
Thank You for calling us into action to help build the kingdom of God. We are ultimately serving You as we tend to the needs of those around us. Help us to make a difference. Help us to love others as You have defined love. Help us to understand it has to end with You receiving all the glory.
“To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen,” Galatians 1:5, NIV.
“Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness,”
Psalm 115:1, NIV.
Amen.
I remember coaching football. Each year I would receive new players who had never played before. I would ask the new player to be good with learning new football things. AND I would ask players to celebrate with them when they did. It changed our group of individuals into a team every year. I did not know this was God's plan. Now I know why it worked.