Many people who were raised in a Christian household, attended Sunday School, and have never killed anybody, think they will go to Heaven when they die. To even begin to have an encounter with God, it is necessary to become baptized, and by baptized it means immersed in water. This is what it means to become "born again."
The truth is, being born into a Christian family doesn't make anyone a Christian any more than swimming in the ocean makes them a fish. Baptism by complete immersion in water is compulsory. Even Jesus was baptized. Just believing in God isn't enough. The devil and his minions believe in God. To be a true Christian, it is necessary to be water baptized in front of witnesses, at least one, and make a pledge to live a sinless life.
This important step has more benefits than just getting a ticket to Heaven. It also carries with it responsibilities. By declaring Jesus as your Saviour, you are pledging to turn your back on sin. God expects an extremely high standard of behavior, so this includes giving up lying, swearing, smoking, alcohol, drugs and even gossiping.
All this righteousness sounds like a pretty tall order, but, according to John 14:15-18, God sent us the Holy Spirit to help and guide us while we wait for the return of Christ. It is this Spirit that fills the born again believers, tinkers with their DNA and changes them on the inside.
As time passes and the Holy Spirit chisels away at our souls to remove sin, our attitudes change. Alcohol, tobacco and drugs lose their appeal. People become more humble. We are slow to anger and quick to forgive. Born again Christians lose interest in spending ours in front of television or whiling away nights in bars or clubs and turn to prayer and reading scripture instead.
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.
On a Daniel fast, rice cakes, wholemeal rice and wholemeal tortilla wraps are permitted, as is wholemeal pasta. Again, this fasting regime must be accompanied by prayer and Bible-reading in order to feel the full spiritual effects.
Another essential Christian practice toward an encounter with God is the act of tithing, or giving ten percent of one's income to God, from whom all blessings flow. It is practical to donate to one's local church.
The truth is, being born into a Christian family doesn't make anyone a Christian any more than swimming in the ocean makes them a fish. Baptism by complete immersion in water is compulsory. Even Jesus was baptized. Just believing in God isn't enough. The devil and his minions believe in God. To be a true Christian, it is necessary to be water baptized in front of witnesses, at least one, and make a pledge to live a sinless life.
This important step has more benefits than just getting a ticket to Heaven. It also carries with it responsibilities. By declaring Jesus as your Saviour, you are pledging to turn your back on sin. God expects an extremely high standard of behavior, so this includes giving up lying, swearing, smoking, alcohol, drugs and even gossiping.
All this righteousness sounds like a pretty tall order, but, according to John 14:15-18, God sent us the Holy Spirit to help and guide us while we wait for the return of Christ. It is this Spirit that fills the born again believers, tinkers with their DNA and changes them on the inside.
As time passes and the Holy Spirit chisels away at our souls to remove sin, our attitudes change. Alcohol, tobacco and drugs lose their appeal. People become more humble. We are slow to anger and quick to forgive. Born again Christians lose interest in spending ours in front of television or whiling away nights in bars or clubs and turn to prayer and reading scripture instead.
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.
On a Daniel fast, rice cakes, wholemeal rice and wholemeal tortilla wraps are permitted, as is wholemeal pasta. Again, this fasting regime must be accompanied by prayer and Bible-reading in order to feel the full spiritual effects.
Another essential Christian practice toward an encounter with God is the act of tithing, or giving ten percent of one's income to God, from whom all blessings flow. It is practical to donate to one's local church.
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