{"id":67,"date":"2026-06-19T08:14:34","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T08:14:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/calledbacktogod.com\/?page_id=67"},"modified":"2026-06-19T08:14:34","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T08:14:34","slug":"they-prayed-and-received-christ","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/calledbacktogod.com\/?page_id=67","title":{"rendered":"They Prayed and Received Christ\u2026.."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"559\" src=\"https:\/\/calledbacktogod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_5932-1024x559.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-68\" srcset=\"https:\/\/calledbacktogod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_5932-1024x559.png 1024w, https:\/\/calledbacktogod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_5932-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/calledbacktogod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_5932-768x419.png 768w, https:\/\/calledbacktogod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_5932-18x10.png 18w, https:\/\/calledbacktogod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_5932-600x327.png 600w, https:\/\/calledbacktogod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_5932.png 1408w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>By Florilyn Barnhart<\/strong><br><a href=\"http:\/\/calledbacktogod.com\/\"><strong>CalledBackToGod.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many churches celebrate when someone comes forward, prays a sinner\u2019s prayer, or professes faith in Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And they should.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Bible tells us that there is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But what happens after that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What happens when the excitement fades?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What happens when the new believer struggles with old habits, inconsistent church attendance, unanswered questions, or spiritual immaturity?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Too often, some Christians become frustrated and ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cIf they really got saved, why aren\u2019t they growing?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps we should ask a different question:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cWho is helping them grow?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Growth Does Not Happen Overnight<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When a child is born, no one expects that child to immediately walk, speak, read, or function like an adult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"559\" src=\"https:\/\/calledbacktogod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_5933-1024x559.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-69\" srcset=\"https:\/\/calledbacktogod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_5933-1024x559.png 1024w, https:\/\/calledbacktogod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_5933-300x164.png 300w, https:\/\/calledbacktogod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_5933-768x419.png 768w, https:\/\/calledbacktogod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_5933-18x10.png 18w, https:\/\/calledbacktogod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_5933-600x327.png 600w, https:\/\/calledbacktogod.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_5933.png 1408w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Growth Does Not Happen Overnight<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When a child is born, no one expects that child to immediately walk, speak, read, or function like an adult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Growth takes time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the same way, spiritual growth does not happen overnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A person may sincerely come to Christ and still struggle with old habits, past wounds, wrong thinking, addictions, fears, doubts, or simply a lack of biblical knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Apostle Paul wrote to believers in Corinth who were still acting immaturely despite having received the gospel. They were believers, yet they struggled with jealousy, division, and worldly behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spiritual birth and spiritual maturity are not the same thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One is the beginning of the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The other is the result of years of walking with Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Whose Job Is It To Help Them Grow?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many churches are excellent at getting people to make decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Jesus did not simply tell His followers to make converts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGo therefore and make disciples of all nations\u2026 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.\u201d (Matthew 28:19-20)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notice the word \u201cteaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Discipleship requires time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It requires patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It requires relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It requires mature believers who are willing to walk alongside younger believers and help them understand what it means to follow Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A new believer should not be left alone after praying a prayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They need encouragement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They need sound teaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They need people who will answer questions and model the Christian life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>God Gives The Growth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the church has a responsibility to disciple believers, we must remember that God is the One who causes spiritual growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paul wrote:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.\u201d (1 Corinthians 3:6)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No pastor can force growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No sermon can guarantee maturity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No church program can transform a heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Only God can do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our responsibility is faithfulness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">God\u2019s responsibility is transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Before We Criticize, Let Us Examine Ourselves<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes it is easy to criticize people who are struggling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is easy to point at someone who has been a Christian for a year and ask why they are not growing faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But perhaps a better question is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Who is praying for them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Who is teaching them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Who is encouraging them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Who is helping them understand God\u2019s Word?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Who is walking beside them when they fail?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The early church did not merely preach the gospel and disappear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They invested in people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They taught them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They corrected them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They encouraged them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They loved them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Goal Is Discipleship<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The goal is not simply to get someone to repeat a prayer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The goal is to help people become lifelong followers of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some believers grow quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Others grow slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some stumble many times before they gain spiritual stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet throughout the process, God remains faithful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rather than condemning those who are struggling, let us become the kind of Christians who help them grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The church does not need more critics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The church needs more disciple-makers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2014 Florilyn Barnhart<br><a href=\"http:\/\/calledbacktogod.com\/\">CalledBackToGod.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Florilyn BarnhartCalledBackToGod.com Many churches celebrate when someone comes forward, prays a sinner\u2019s prayer, or professes faith in Jesus Christ. And they should. The Bible tells us that there is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents. But what happens after that? What happens when the excitement fades? What happens when the new believer [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-67","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>They Prayed and Received Christ\u2026.. - calledbacktogod<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/calledbacktogod.com\/?page_id=67\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"They Prayed and Received Christ\u2026.. - calledbacktogod\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"By Florilyn BarnhartCalledBackToGod.com Many churches celebrate when someone comes forward, prays a sinner\u2019s prayer, or professes faith in Jesus Christ. 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