Some people think that if their parents were Christian, that automatically makes them a Christian, too, and that they will go to Heaven and have an encounter with God. One thing that people often say when asked where they are going to spend Eternity is that they are basically good, citing that they never murdered anybody, as sufficient testament to their righteousness.
Living in a Christian household doesn't make anyone a Christian any more than living in a garage makes them a car. So, why is it necessary to go through the ritual of being born again? The Bible says that anyone who believes in Christ will have eternal life. That's the thing. Even demons believe. Satan believes. That is why it is necessary to stand up in front of witnesses and declare one's allegiance to Christ and turn away from sin.
Baptism does more than get you the promise of a seat in Heaven. It also has responsibilities, responsibilities to give up sinful living (smoking, drinking, gambling, etc.) and become obedient to God's ways. When asked if they have ever sinned, so many people claim to good people because they have never committed murder. God expects a lot more than that.
Being sinless isn't easy. Satan is constantly littering our paths with temptation. The good news is, God sent the Holy Spirit to whip us into shape to become Heaven-ready. He fills us up, makes crucial changes right down to our DNA and makes us squeaky clean from the inside out. This, according to John 14:15-18.
Over time, people with the Holy Spirit start to change. Jokes that were once hilarious suddenly seem tacky and offensive. The urge to smoke, drink or use drugs starts to fade. People become calmer and more forgiving. Computer games and gambling give way to reading the Bible and spending time in prayer.
Christians also fast. This is another way of getting God's attention and forming a close relationship with Him. There are two ways to engage in a Christian fast. One is a water fast. Here, nothing is consumed from sunup to sundown apart from water and diluted fruit juice. During a fast, Christians are instructed to spend more time than usual in prayer and reading the Bible. Without them, the fast is no more than a weight loss diet.
The second approach to fasting is the Daniel fast. This goes on for 21 days, 24/7. Here, there are no restrictions on when to eat or how much. However, it is severely restricted to fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes. No sugar is permitted, nor are artificial sweeteners or preservatives, or any form of animal products. Quality oils are permitted. It takes real commitment and concentration to pull off a successful Daniel fast. It also requires prayer and reading scripture.
All of these Christian practices bring a person closer to having an encounter with God. Baptism, reading the Bible, praying and fasting. Tithing, the practice of giving 10 percent of all income back to God, from whom all blessings come, is an essential part of behaving like a Christian. This is not just an Old Testament thing; it is a covenant thing. Abraham is recorded as giving a tithe to Melchizidek when he fought the King of Sodom. A covenant is everlasting. All scripture is inspired by God, not just the New Testament.
Living in a Christian household doesn't make anyone a Christian any more than living in a garage makes them a car. So, why is it necessary to go through the ritual of being born again? The Bible says that anyone who believes in Christ will have eternal life. That's the thing. Even demons believe. Satan believes. That is why it is necessary to stand up in front of witnesses and declare one's allegiance to Christ and turn away from sin.
Baptism does more than get you the promise of a seat in Heaven. It also has responsibilities, responsibilities to give up sinful living (smoking, drinking, gambling, etc.) and become obedient to God's ways. When asked if they have ever sinned, so many people claim to good people because they have never committed murder. God expects a lot more than that.
Being sinless isn't easy. Satan is constantly littering our paths with temptation. The good news is, God sent the Holy Spirit to whip us into shape to become Heaven-ready. He fills us up, makes crucial changes right down to our DNA and makes us squeaky clean from the inside out. This, according to John 14:15-18.
Over time, people with the Holy Spirit start to change. Jokes that were once hilarious suddenly seem tacky and offensive. The urge to smoke, drink or use drugs starts to fade. People become calmer and more forgiving. Computer games and gambling give way to reading the Bible and spending time in prayer.
Christians also fast. This is another way of getting God's attention and forming a close relationship with Him. There are two ways to engage in a Christian fast. One is a water fast. Here, nothing is consumed from sunup to sundown apart from water and diluted fruit juice. During a fast, Christians are instructed to spend more time than usual in prayer and reading the Bible. Without them, the fast is no more than a weight loss diet.
The second approach to fasting is the Daniel fast. This goes on for 21 days, 24/7. Here, there are no restrictions on when to eat or how much. However, it is severely restricted to fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes. No sugar is permitted, nor are artificial sweeteners or preservatives, or any form of animal products. Quality oils are permitted. It takes real commitment and concentration to pull off a successful Daniel fast. It also requires prayer and reading scripture.
All of these Christian practices bring a person closer to having an encounter with God. Baptism, reading the Bible, praying and fasting. Tithing, the practice of giving 10 percent of all income back to God, from whom all blessings come, is an essential part of behaving like a Christian. This is not just an Old Testament thing; it is a covenant thing. Abraham is recorded as giving a tithe to Melchizidek when he fought the King of Sodom. A covenant is everlasting. All scripture is inspired by God, not just the New Testament.
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