Archive for the ‘born again’ Category
A Christian’s Salvation Stands Or Falls On His Belief in the Resurrection Of Jesus
Romans 10:9 KJV
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Belief in the resurrection of Jesus is central to the salvation of anyone who becomes born-again…
1 Corinthians 15:12-20 KJV
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead…
If Jesus had not been raised from being dead, His death upon the cross would have been meaningless. There would be no forgiveness of sins, no salvation and no eternal life in heaven.
Thank God Jesus was raised from the dead, and they who will proclaim Jesus to be Lord and believe that Gad raised Him from the dead will have been saved by Grace. His death upon the cross paid for our sins and His resurrection provided for us eternal life.
Jesus is risen. He is risen indeed!
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Why Salvation By Grace “Alone” Is Not Accepted By Many Christians.
Ephesians 2:4-5 KJV
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you have been saved)
Salvation by Grace and the theology of election gp hand and hand. Paul and Peter taught them using the teachings of Jesus. John chapter six is an example of the what Jesus said and taught.
For the first 300 plus years of the early church were these teachings believed and taught. Then a theologian named Pelagius appeared on the scene and emphasized human choice in salvation and denied original sin and especially stressed the freedom of human will. Pelagius was accused of heresy in 415 and his doctrines were harshly criticized.(From Wikipedia) However, the seed of a specific Christian church was planted.
Whereas salvation by Grace, being born-again, happens not because one is born into a Christian family or by works of flesh nor by the will of man but by the will of God.
God’s foreknowledge of who will be saved is not based on who will choose to accept or reject Jesus of their own will. God through Paul in chapter 9 of Romans makes this perfectly clear..
Romans 9:11-16 KJV (in speaking about Jacob and Esau).
(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) [12] It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. [13] As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. [14] What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. [15] For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. [16] So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Nothing more needs said than what Paul wrote in these verses,.
Moving on…
The reason many Christians reject the doctrine of Salvation by Grace “Alone” is because it eliminates completely man’s participation in his being saved by his will and through self-effort; co-operating with God.
You see, man’s pride needs to be involved. For in doing “his” part, he feels he will be worthy to receive from God forgiveness for his sins and be born-again by the Spirit of God.
In other words … man does his part and God will reward him by doing His part. The problem with this teaching is that this is a works salvation; very much like being under the Law in obedience to God doing a work that God demanded of man, as found in the Old Covenant. In order to receive a blessing or see a promise come to fruition man must do his part before God will do His part.
Anything a person thinks, says or does in order to receive salvation from God is a work of man’s will, but Grace says something else.
In Titus 3:5-7 KJ
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy God saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; [6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; [7] That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Note: justified by Grace is the act of being made righteous when one is born-again. Saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit is a description of what happens when one, who is dead in sin, is born-again. In order for man, who is dead in sin, is able to respond in believing faith he first must be made alive; bon-again. “saved by Grace”.
It is by God “Alone”, who by Grace “Alone”, saves, “Alone”, apart from any works of man, irregardless of his desire to cooperate in his salvation. For salvation is all of God.
This is why Paul can write:
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you have been saved).
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How One’s Interpretation Can Change The Meaning Of Scripture
Ephesians 1:5 KJV
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
I heard a well known Pastor on the radio the other night preach on this particular scripture. In my opinion he completely misinterpreted the meaning of this verse: teaching that God chose to make people holy who would choose to accept Jesus. I understand that he was looking at this through his theology and you might agree with him, but was he right? So let us look closely at what the scripture says.
The first five words sets the stage, “According as he hath chosen”. A choice was made by God and we must answer the question of “Who” were chosen? The very next word gives us the answer and it is “US”. Now who are the “US”? The first sentence to this letter gives us that answer:
Ephesians 1:1 KJV
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
You can see that Paul was writing this letter to the “saints”, at Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus. In other words Paul was addressing Christians, and these Christians are the “US” that was chosen in him, that is Jesus.
Now we need to know “When and Why” they were chosen.
They, The “Us”, were “Chosen” by God, (when) “Before the foundation of the world”, (why) “that we should be Holy in Jesus and without blame before him in love”, for we have no holiness in and of ourselves because of our sin nature, and this includes everyone who would ever be saved. For all Christians are “Saints”.
In other words, God (what) “Chose”, (who) “US”, (when) ”before the foundation of the world”, (why) “That we should be Holy and without blame before him in Jesus”. He did not choose to make us Holy, He chose “US” to be Holy because we could never be Holy in and of ourselves due to our sinfulness.
Knowing what God “did” to “whom” “when and why” makes the first five verses of Ephesians 1 more easy to understand, and more praise worthy of God.
Ephesians 1:1-5 KJV
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: [2] Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: [4] According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: [5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Thank God He did.
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One Verse That Can Show The Difference Between Being Under The Law And Under Grace,.
Pro 3:5 – 6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will direct your paths.
These verses, taken from the Old Testament, can easily show the difference between the Jews living under the Law and the Christians living under Grace.
The Law was a works based system of willing obedience to the Law and all of the promises, blessings and curses that it entailed. Needless to say it was a failure.
In the above scripture, having God direct your life, stated in the last clause, was based on all that was commanded to do by the Hebrews in the beginning. It was a work based command of obedience. In other words, if man did what was commanded of him then God would direct his life. Here man works and God responds with blessings or curses. Because of sin in man, he could not always do what God commanded of him. He failed.”’
What if these scriptures were written in the New Testament to the Christians under Grace. Now living under Grace is a faith based system dependent on God’s will, the person and works of Jesus in His perfect obedience to the Father and the application by the Holy Spirit the results of what Jesus accomplished to the saved; everything Israel could not do on their own.
This might be one way it could be written.
“I trust in the Lord with all my heart and I do not look to my own understanding and in all my ways I acknowledge God, for He directs all my ways as He wills and has blessed me greatly.”
Here God works His will in man and man responds accordingly. Just the opposite of man under Law.
Under the Law, based on the will of man to be obedient, man always fails. Under Grace, based on the will of God, God never fails. In the “faith based” system of being under Grace God works in man both to will and to do of His good pleasure. So what God has willed for man to do man obeys willingly.
How about you. Is your life a works based system trusting in your will of obedience (grudgingly or not) to the Law or a faith based system of being under Grace trusting in the will of God in what He is doing in your life?
One scripture with a view of it under the Law and one view of the same scripture under Grace. Which one describes you?
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I Am Not An Evangelical – I Am A Christian
And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Acts 11: 26
As a Christian, by the Grace of God, I am a disciple of Jesus and a servant of God. I believe in the basic tenants of Reformed theology of election and predestination. However, evangelicals, of which I am not, believe in a “save yourself” style of salvation.
On christianity.com, a leading evangelical website, in an article titled, “What Is Evangelical Christianity?”, the first paragraph says this…
“A prominent picture in Christianity is Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, death, and resurrection. Evangelical Christians believe that by accepting Jesus and his sacrifice for us, we save our souls and go to Heaven once we die.”
This is a “work of righteousness” type of salvation based on the will of man by a work of faith in choosing for ourselves to accept Jesus as our personal savior. This is plainly not scriptural as scripture teaches that we are born-again by the will of God who saves they whom He elected to be saved and predestined their time of salvation.
Ephesians 1:3-6 KJV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: [4] According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: [5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, [6] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
These are just a few of the many verses about election and predestination that are found throughout the New Testament, and anyone willing to read and study these scriptures will see the truth as God gives them understanding.
This does not say that I do not believe in sharing the Gospel. All Christians are given works that God has ordained for us to do when we are saved by Grace.
Ephesians 2:8-11 KJV
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
God has given some to be evangelist some pastors and teachers, elders, bishops and deacons, etc, all who will have different abilities that in their service they will be given moments, as God chooses, to speak of Jesus; most of the time in private or small group settings.
Jesus said, “I know my sheep and they will hear my voice and will follow me.” God uses individual disciples to do His will as He chooses in bringing the elect into His fold; they do so quietly.
So, if someone were to ask me if I was an evangelical, knowing only what they see and hear in the news, especially in connection with “Christian Nationalism”, my answer would simply be this, “By God’s Grace, I am a Christian, a disciple of Jesus and a servant of God. If you would like to know something about Jesus, I will be glad to share with you what I know from New Testament scripture.”
How well do you know what is the New Covenant written about in the New Testament scriptures?
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Children Of The Promise: Are You One?
Romans 9:8 KJV
That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.
The first thing we must understand is this, who are the children of the flesh.
In Romans chapter 9 Paul brags about his kinsmen, his fellow Israelites, then makes a remarkable comment. Read this;
Romans 9:2-7 KJV
That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. [3] For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: [4] Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; [5] Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. [6] Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: [7] Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
They are not all Israel which are of Israel. Nor because they are of the seed of Abraham. In other words, the Jewish people, according to Paul in his writings, are not the children of God. Why is that?
Read this:
Romans 9:31-32 KJV
But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. [32] Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
You see, Judaism, under the Law, is a works based system dependent on man’s willingness to be obedient to the Law. Israel failed and, well, read this for yourself:
Hebrews 8:7-9 KJV
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. [8] For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: [9] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
However, God does promise that even though the number of Jews be many, not all will be lost. Read this:
Romans 9:22-27 KJV
What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: [23] And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, [24] Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? [25] As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. [26] And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. [27] Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
To truly understand these verses you need to read all of Romans 9 for yourself.
Now we know why in verse “8” above why God said that the Israelites, children of the flesh are not the children of God. The children of promise are God’s children. So who are the children of the promise?
To find out read these three verses.
Romans 9:6-8 KJV
Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: [7] Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. [8] That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
Why Issac? Remember, God promised a son to Abraham and Issac was the fulfillment of that promise.
From Galatians we read this:
Galatians 4:21-23,28 KJV
Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? [22] For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. [23] But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. [28] Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
Paul was speaking to his brethren, disciples of Jesus, and said, “We”, brethren, are the children of the promise. They that have been born-again by the Grace of God are the children of the promise. That is you, I and everyone else, Jew and Gentile, born-again are God’s children of promise.
So, are you a child of promise? I pray that you are, living by the faith of Jesus and not by the works of the Law. For only the justified, made righteous by the works of Jesus on our behalf having done for us what we could never do – live in obedience to the Law – imputing His righteousness to the children of promise. Even us, disciples of Jesus.
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Kept By The Power Of God
1 Peter 1: 5… Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
I once belonged to a certain Christian religion that believed that one could be saved and born-again by an act of their will in choosing to accept Jesus as Savior. This teaching also taught that by an act of their will they could also loose their salvation. Almost everyone to whom I spoke admitted they worried on a daily basis about doing something that would result in loosing their salvation. They had no real assurance of keeping their salvation and of going to heaven when they died. How sad.
In studying scripture I could see that this was not backed up by what the New Testament, especially Jesus, taught. Soon I left and found a church that believed in and taught the opposite.
Instead of me giving my opinion I have decided to let scripture, and Jesus, speak about this and pray that the Holy Spirit will open your heart and give understanding to the reader.
The scripture verse, in context, upon which this essay stands is this.
1 Peter 1:1-5
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, [2] Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, [5] Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Their are a number of scriptures by Jesus that could be used to more than support verse 5 above. Here are only two examples that has been chosen for you to read.
John 6:35-40
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me shall never hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst. [36] But I told you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. [37] All whom the Father gives Me will come to Me, and he who comes to Me I will never cast out. [38] For I came down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. [39] This is the will of the Father who has sent Me, that of all whom He has given Me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. [40] This is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
John 10:25-30
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you did not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name bear witness of Me. [26] But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. [27] My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. [28] I give them eternal life. They shall never perish, nor shall anyone snatch them from My hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them from My Father’s hand. [30] My Father and I are one.”
It should be noted that no one is saved (born-again), and staying saved, by an act (work) of one’s own will of the flesh, or mind. Salvation (regeneration) comes only by the will and Grace of God alone, because of the work and obedience of Jesus on behalf of “all” whom the Father has given to Jesus.
In short, salvation and the assurance of still being saved when one dies is given to they…
“Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
How reassuring and humbling that should be to all who are saved and kept saved by the power of of God.
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Did Jesus Talk About Election In John Six
The doctrine of election is quite divisive among all Christian religions.
They who believe in God’s choosing who will be saved, will say that if they had not been chosen for salvation they would never have been born-again for they had no desire to be saved.
On the other side, they who deny the doctrine of election, do so for they believe that God has given everyone the free-will to choose whether or not they want to accept or reject salvation offered by Jesus.
The question is who is right in their doctrine? The answer might be found in what Jesus taught in the gospel of John chapter six?
Read the following scripture verses to see for yourself, and may God give you understanding.
John 6:29
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent.
John 6:37
All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out.
John 6:38-39
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. [39] And this is the Father’s will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
John 6:44
No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:65
And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
So, we see that believing in Jesus is a work done by God, not by man, and all in whom God chooses to believe in Jesus will come to Jesus. For it is the will of God that all whom He brings to Jesus that Jesus will loose of all whom the Father brings to Him.
Jesus further said that the reason for God working in man to believe, and to bring to Jesus, is that no one “can” come to Jesus unless God brings them. To reinforce this claim, Jesus lastly says that no one “can” come to Me unless My Father gives them the ability to come.
This is why we are saved by God’s Grace. For salvation is all of God.
These verses are very clear in what they say and it will take God to give you understanding to these statements. I pray that God is doing so at this very moment.
Believe not in your religion but in what Jesus says in Scripture.
The Role That Faith Plays In Our Salvation
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved “through” faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
I am sure you have heard someone say, “by faith are we saved” or “we are saved by faith” or “I was saved by faith in Jesus”.
However, these statements are quite misleading. Surprised? So was I when I learned these truths and discovered that, while faith plays a part in salvation, ultimately we are not saved by faith.
Here is how we are saved according to Scripture and the role played by faith.
The first thing we need to learn is that in our unsaved state we are spiritually dead in our sins.
Eph 2: 1, 2 And you, who were dead in trespasses and sins; were living according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:
The problem here is that being spiritually dead in sins we are not able to hear nor understand the Word of God (1Co 2: 14). As Jesus said, we are not able to come to Him unless the Father gives them the ability to respond (John 6: 65).
So, think about this. Before anyone, who is spiritually dead, can respond to what is said to them, what needs to be done?
Spiritually dead people need to be given life before they can respond! For one being saved, how does this happen? The answer is quite simple. Read these verses and may God give you understanding.
Ephesians 2:4, 5 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;)
At this first point of salvation we see only salvation by Grace, nothing about faith.
Now the question is this. How does Grace save us?.
The answer can be found in Titus 3: 5.
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
We see here that it is by being regenerated (Born-Again) that we are saved. This makes perfect sense that we should be given spiritual life before we can respond.
Once spiritual life enters into us we are now saved, but there is more to be done to show our salvation and this is where “Faith” plays its part, and its reason for happening now.
You see, there are three steps that happens during the act of being saved and they all happen almost simultaneously.
However, we must see what is the end point first to understand the part that “Faith” plays.
In Romans 10: 8 – 10 we read this.
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Finally, now we see the word “Faith” being used. Before anyone can believe in Jesus and confess Him to be Lord, they must have Faith with which to believe and to say that Jesus is Lord, and we see that “Faith” is found in their heart.
From where does this “Faith” come?
Read these verses from Ephesians.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved “through” faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
The secret word that many people never consider is the word “through”. Notice that the word “through” is being used (through faith) and not the word “by” (by faith). This is important. The word “through” means “a path, conduit, a way of getting from one point to another point.”
Faith, a gift of God, is just a means of getting from (point A) being born-again to (point B) believing on Jesus.
So how does this Grace, Faith and Believe work?
Being spiritually dead in sins, salvation happens like this.
First comes life. By God’s Grace one is Saved, regenerated, Born-Again, given spiritual life.
Second, once alive we are given the gift of Faith by God.
Third, led through faith, after being given spiritual life, we now have the ability to believe on Jesus and confess Him to be Lord.
Faith does play an important part in one’s salvation, but Faith alone does not save. For one is first saved by Grace, then Faith is given as a gift, to provide the path and the ability for one to Believe on Jesus.
That is the role that “Faith” plays in our salvation.
Should Christians?
Romans 12:1-2 KJV
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Acting and thinking as you did before your conversion to Christianity and desiring the the things of your previous life, basically is the taking on the ways of life to which you were once conformed. Assimilating your former your life style to coexist with your Christian life is the act of becoming once again conformed to this world.
Political parties are nothing more than wanting the same as others who were like you before you were born again and professed Jesus to be Lord. So the question is: Should Christians be involved in this Worldly activity, no matter what Party it is to which you once professed allegiance?
Riff's Christian Journal 