If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you started out with faith in Him. After you recognized your sinfulness and need for a Savior, you asked God to forgive your sins. When you trusted in Christ, you received the gift of eternal life. By grace you're a child of God and you are promised an eternal home in heaven with Him.

But don't stop there! No one who has put his or her faith in Christ can afford to let spiritual growth and maturity start and stop with one act of spiritual surrender.

Salvation must be followed by spiritual growth. We must go beyond belief and seek out the truths God provides in the Bible. If we don't, we'll fall victim to the dangerous thinking patterns that mark our world.

According to sociologist Wade Clark Roof, in a poll of people who say they've trusted in Jesus, 25 percent or more believe in the nonbiblical concepts of communication with the dead, reincarnation, and astrology. They have not followed Peter's call to add knowledge to their faith (2 Peter 1:5). They did not go beyond belief.

Faith in Christ is the starting point, but keep going. Study the Bible and "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (3:18).  —Dave Branon  — Dave Branon