True Conversion
True Conversion
Jun 14
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19)
To be "converted" can mean many things. The Greek word simply means to "turn" or "change directions." Christian conversion, however, refers to turning away from the whole world system and turning to God through Christ.
Similarly, to "repent," in the Greek, means essentially to "think differently" and, in a Christian context, to change one’s whole thought process from worldly reasoning to spiritual, as centered in Christ and the Scriptures. Genuine Christian repentance and conversion result in having one’s "sins . . . blotted out" and thus true "times of refreshing" from the Lord.
But without real repentance and conversion, there is no salvation. Jesus said: ". . . except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3, 5), and He also said: "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3).
There are, sad to say, multitudes of men and women who think they are Christians, but are not. This is evidenced by the lack of real change in their thinking and living from the beliefs and practices of the world. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Christ Himself has warned that: "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, . . . ? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you" (Matthew 7:22-23). Therefore, it behooves all who profess Christ to seriously review their personal belief and behavior in terms of their conformity to the world of men or to the Word of God.
As Paul exhorted: "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves" (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Great site
I’m totally looking forward to reading more!!!
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This is so true. I had a friend who thought for years that she was truly born again. But after maybe ten years or so she realized she was not and was truly converted. She was more caught up in the 'social aspect' of Church than being caught up in Christ. Sad that there may be many more like my friend was attending churches, even sound ones. Lord, open their eyes to the truth.
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I agree Mr. Bateman. This post is one post any Christian should read. One thing to check ourselves from time to time. God Bless you!
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Be encouraged. The day of our salvation and His appearing draws closer by the day – since the day we first believed!
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“We are seeing Christianity on such a dramatic decline that we’re not particularly worried about it. We’re thinking that this kind of old-style George W. Bush Republicanism is about to go away,” Silverman said, referring to the latest Pew Forum survey of American religious life, which showed nonreligious Americans as the fastest-growing group
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Actually, your statement is correct! "Christianity" as a religion practice per se, is indeed on the decline. I am thankful too. Why? Because, being a "Christian" is much different than practicing a religious form of Christianity.
There are two statements in God's Word where He addresses this issue. Here they are:
1. "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." II Timothy 3:1-5 (Anyone who deny's the the Son of God, Jesus Christ, as God – falls into this category)
2. "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." James 1:26-27 (All who use religious practice – call it any denominational movement you want – apart from true worship, fall into this category.)
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On June 7, 1797, John Adams signed into law the Treaty of Tripoli. This was the first Treaty for the USA and it was read and ratified unanimously by the founding Senate. The treaty states, in part, that “the government of the United States is not in any sense founded in the Christian Religion”.
Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.
American Atheists is now an official member of the Secular Coalition for America!
http://www.secular.org
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I would think one calling themselves an "Atheists" or even associating with a coalition of fellow "Atheists" as demeaning. Why?
1. There is no such thing as an "Atheist." God actually calls them, "Fools." Here it is:
"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." Psalm 14:1b
2. A fool declaring there existing no God is an oxymoron! Why? Because, only a fool would declare his or hers ability to universally deny the existence of god without also implying that they themselves, have taken on universal god like knowledge in order to make that determination.
Sadly, a fool considers himself or herself a god already – and then, swears their blind allegiance to other fools who call themselves "American Atheists."
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1. There is no such thing as an atheist. According to God, He calls them something else:
"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." Proverbs 14:1b
2. Only a fool would declare universally that there is no god – while forgetting that they would have to possess universal understanding themselves in order to make that determination! So, a fool actually believes they themselves are gods and then, join with other fools who already believe the same foolishness. What do they call themselves? "American Atheists."
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