Becoming a Christian believer, forgiveness of sin, and more on ghosts are shared, today. The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Jonathan” (Level 1 with 25 points, a member since June 21, 2012) posted the following:
Questions about converts to Christianity?
If someone converts to Christianity from atheism or another religion are sins that they committed prior to converting still counted against them? Different religions tend to equal different rules and some religions are stricter with the enforcement of those rules than others.
Additional Details
Are converts basically held to the same standards as people who were born into the faith and was apart of it all of their lives?
THE BATTLE AXE: Ghosts (09/02/2012)—An important standard among Christian believers when examining strange and unusual events is to say, “it doesn’t mean a thing, if it doesn’t serve the King.” Are you built up in the things of your salvation? Acknowledge but do not overvalue bizarre, and uncommon experiences. Through Christ I am one who accepts separation from loved ones through their death, because I trust they are continuing existence through our salvation from the Lord. Since my mother’s death, I have seen her several times while I slept. Each time, the dream was vivid, and had the “feel” of being reality. Afterward, I gave thanks to GOD for the comfort and overflowing joy that is being shared with me. Despite having completed their mortality, those embraced of GOD through Christ continue within the fullness of divine Person. All Christians do not have dreams wherein they experience deceased love ones “alive” and well. However, all are given divine assurance and promises regarding the sleep, the resurrection and the judgment of the dead along with clear instruction about the coming of Jesus to harvest from the earth his that are alive. The Scriptures state plainly that the dead do not praise GOD (Psalm 115: 17); they have no consciousness of the life they once lived; they do not dream or meditate upon the things of the living; and they have no temporal awareness (i.e., sense of past, present, future) Ecclesiastes 9: 5-6. This helps us understand that at no time do the dead physically “visit” the living in obedience, or service to GOD. Be sure to see 2nd Samuel 14: 14, 1st Corinthians 15: 50-55 and 1st Thessalonians 4: 13-18, King James Version.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? (Ezekiel 18: 20-23)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Scriptures To Reassure (03/05/2012); The Prophets (02/24/2012); Dispatch 36: His Grace (09/15/2011); Dispatch 27: Pressed In the Spirit (09/06/2011); Binder 35: Whom The Lord Loveth (11/01/2011); Grace and Life (01/07/2011)
Becoming a full Christian believer is a living process that occurs on every level of personal being: emotional, mental, physical, social and spiritual. Atonement, forgiveness of sin and expiation (payment) for past deeds are a relatively small aspect of what occurs. The changes and transformation that must take place are so broad and sweeping, we say, one must be “born again,” and that believers are a “new creation” and “new creatures in Christ.” Their entire existence must be generated from “divine seed,” sacred truth, and spirit substance, instead of the human “stuff” of reproduction (i.e., eggs and sperm).
The awareness, motives, and point of view experienced by a believer are products of the divine presence that resides within all who are human from Creation (for example, humility, faith, love, mercy, righteousness, wisdom and wrath against sin). This “natural” endowment from GOD received through birth can be defiled and diminished through sin, and so must be amplified and augmented by the imparted, indwelling spirit of GOD received as redemption and salvation from Jesus Christ.
While there are many instantaneous and miraculous changes in a new believer, it remains that one who is “born again” must “grow up again.” There must be gradual growth through learning (e.g., discovery, imitation, trial and error), practice, problem-solving, and study. Through the holy writings, new believers gain new content and further focus for their awareness, and are equipped to gain knowledge of divine person, sacred process, and eternal purpose. Included are covenant, death, forbearance, Godhead, judgment, and resurrection.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, believers should expect challenges, difficulties and “growing pains” that call into presence and application their spiritual gifts. Trial and testing are not to identify failure and weakness so much as to develop strength, and establish eternal permanence of the believer.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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