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Transformation
Remember, Christianity is a religion that requires one to utilize the reasoning ability of the mind. Because of this transformation of the mind, someone who does change his/her mind must also change the lifestyle of the body to conform to the will of God (read Romans, chapter 6, especially verse 6, and Galatians 2:20). The Christian is one who, through humble submission to the will of God, allows his/her body to no longer be owned by the power of sin, but by the power of God given to all who believe and obey Him.
Christianity is a total transformation of life: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:1-2). We have a responsibility to grow (2 Peter 3:18), so that in the end the soul might be saved (Matthew 25:23; John 14:1-6; 2 Timothy 4: 6-8; Revelation 2:10).
God's nature will not allow Him to accept anyone who has not obeyed from the heart the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, His nature also will not allow Him to reject any who come to Him through and by means of that same gospel. Whoever is forgiven by God and continues to follow Him is also accepted by God (Romans 5:1-11; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:1).
"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:8-10). "....and such were some of you" (1 Corinthians 6:11). The past tense verb "were" proves that change is possible.
"Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).
Tony Horton
The Scripture quotations in this article are from The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.
Permission for reference use has been granted.
Permission for reference use has been granted.
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