|
To be a disciple of Jesus means to closely follow the Master and to adhere attentively to all that He says and does: Mt. 28:19. Although the rebirth of the spirit occurs instantly, the new life, which follows the rebirth, is a process wherein the fallen soul or mind of the believer is systematically born again. This rational, disciplined renewal of the mind is necessary, because the believer must increasingly understand the will of God until the reborn soul, as the born again spirit, is under the total control of the Holy Spirit. Although God wrote all the requirements of His Royal Law on the born again spirit or heart, these commandments need to flow to the conscious level of the soul. If we do not understand God’s will, we will not be able to obey Him, and the main aim of our born again life on earth is to live a truly Scriptural, obedient life in Christ: Heb. 8:10; 1 Jn. 2:3-6,10; 3:10. Consequently, Paul commanded in Rom. 12:1-2: “I beg of you to make a decisive dedication of your bodies… as a living sacrifice… which is your rational, intelligent service to God. And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may know what is that… perfect will of God.” The born again spirit was completely renewed or transformed at the moment of its rebirth. The soul, however, needs to saved or born again through a learning-process. A process wherein we must work with the Spirit to change our bad personality-traits and sinful habits, and to conduct ourselves in a way that glorifies God: Gal. 5:16-22. To live as disciples, means to live as a spiritual temple of the Spirit, systematically renewing our minds through the acquirement of real Scriptural knowledge, (and not through the philosophical dogmas of men), while diligently applying this knowledge to every situation of our daily lives: Col. 2:8; 2 Pet. 3:18a. Scripture commands us to be transformed, as transformation means to willingly submit to the truth of God and the inward work of His Spirit, and to actually DO what His contextual Word commands – the only way in which the fallen soul can ever experience the rebirth and be saved: 1 Pet. 1:9; Jn. 14:15, 21-24; Jam. 1:21-22; 2:17-20. James wrote in 1:21-27: “So… welcome the Word which [was] implanted and rooted in your hearts [or spirits with the spiritual rebirth, and] contains the power to save your souls. Be doers of the Word and not merely listeners to it…” This transformation, rebirth or salvation of the soul is therefore not the same as conformation. In fact, Scripture forbids conformation, which means to submit to man-made religion. Conformation only pertains to artificial beliefs and legalistic acts of this dimension. Although catechetical conformation might “hold a form of godliness”, it is definitely a stranger to the spiritual power of God: Mt. 15:6-9; Col 2:8; 2 Tim. 3:5. To simply join a church and to be ‘converted’ by the acceptance of their [mostly unbiblical, man-made] doctrines and rituals, is to follow “the recruitments of the world” and the “tradition of men”. Hence, conversion can never bring the spirit to experience the rebirth and conversion can never transform or save the soul. Conversion consists of church-membership without a real relationship with Christ. Nobody should therefore ever be ‘converted to the faith’, but everyone must be spiritually and soulically transformed by true faith in, and obedience to Christ, as the rebirth or salvation of the soul is just as important as the rebirth of the spirit. Read the other discussions on the Home Page Discover the truth about God’s Holy Angels Fairies, Orbs, Angels and Other Phenomena Read all about New Testament tithing- the gospel of greed! Repent and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior
|
|
and the truth shall set you free! |
|
the truth |
|
You shall know |