The Way We Were
Dispelling some popular misconceptions about Christians.
Date: 7/11/2005 2:01:22 PM ( 19 y ) ... viewed 2556 times
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Christians aren't born Christians, they are sinners who USED TO BE the objects of God's wrath but were forgiven and cleansed by putting trust in the only Person who was ever really good: Jesus Christ.
Some people have the impression that all Christians grew up in Christian homes, sheltered from the world, and never watched TV or danced or worked on Sundays. But a great many were formerly criminals, atheists, cult members, drug addicts, etc. For people with those backgrounds to become Christians sounds like it had to be a lot of work, but the truth is that they are saved like everyone else: faith in Jesus alone. Period. It's a great equalizer.
And after becoming Christians we didn't give up our personalities or talents, and in most cases not our vocations, locations, or nations :-) . We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, not "possessed" and operated like a puppet. God works through us and in us, not to make us into robots, but to enable us to reach our potential in Him. This is a lifelong process, one at which we all progress at different rates. We are not all on the same page at the same time, but we are all on the same narrow road to the same Destination.
We don't all think the same, vote the same, or act the same, which some see as a fault of our belief system. But in fact, it is a testament to our freedom in Christ, to God's valuing of our individuality. We do not get absorbed into a force or consciousness, but are adopted into a Family. No other belief system offers anything like that.
We're people, human, sinners, but we are saved, rescued, adopted. We aren't going to heaven because we're good, but because Jesus is. No matter how bad you've been, or how good you think you are, you all get saved the same way:
Trust Jesus.
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