Salvation Brings Change
The Bible is clear. When we are born again, we are changed, so that we are righteous before God, and we have the Holy Spirit to conform us to the image of Christ. He will not allow God's children to persist in unrighteousness or sin. We will not be perfect, but there will be a change in what we want to do and the way we live. That is why Paul makes it clear that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. (I Corinthians 6:9,10) We need to consider this truth, because there are so many people that believe Christianity is just a philosophy. It is a relationship with God that changes us.
When we come to Christ as Lord of our lives, we repent of sin once and for all. We renounce the sinful lifestyle, and we turn to God's way of doing everything. At the same moment we trust Christ to forgive our sins and give us a new life. We acknowledge Him as Lord, and the Spirit indwells us to show us the right way and the wrong way. He convicts us when we sin, and He punishes us, so that we will confess the sin and get right with God. We grow in our ability to live according to God's ways, and we become more and more like Jesus.
Therefore, if a person persists in what God calls sin, that person is not a true believer and cannot inherit the kingdom of God. There must be a real change in life, not just a change of beliefs. The great thing about being a Christian is being set free from the sins that harm us, so we can live the abundant life God designed for us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Corinthians 8-10.
When we come to Christ as Lord of our lives, we repent of sin once and for all. We renounce the sinful lifestyle, and we turn to God's way of doing everything. At the same moment we trust Christ to forgive our sins and give us a new life. We acknowledge Him as Lord, and the Spirit indwells us to show us the right way and the wrong way. He convicts us when we sin, and He punishes us, so that we will confess the sin and get right with God. We grow in our ability to live according to God's ways, and we become more and more like Jesus.
Therefore, if a person persists in what God calls sin, that person is not a true believer and cannot inherit the kingdom of God. There must be a real change in life, not just a change of beliefs. The great thing about being a Christian is being set free from the sins that harm us, so we can live the abundant life God designed for us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Corinthians 8-10.