Some people think that if their parents were Christian, that automatically makes them a Christian, too, and that they will go to Heaven and have an encounter with God. One thing that people often say when asked where they are going to spend Eternity is that they are basically good, citing that they never murdered anybody, as sufficient testament to their righteousness.
Living in a Christian family doesn't make anyone a Christian any more than flying in an airplane makes them an eagle. The ritual of baptism, a public declaration of a love for and a pledge of obedience to Christ are what makes someone a Christian. It's not enough just to believe. Satan believes. Satan's demons believe.
Living a sinless life takes more than just controlling the urge to kill people. God is aiming for a much higher standard than just not being a serial killer. Turning away from sin means turning away from smoking, cursing, drunkenness and pilfering office supplies from work.
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.
Over time, people with the Holy Spirit start to change. Jokes that were once hilarious suddenly seem tacky and offensive. The urge to smoke, drink or use drugs starts to fade. People become calmer and more forgiving. Computer games and gambling give way to reading the Bible and spending time in prayer.
Another Christian practice is that of fasting. There are two ways to observe a fast. One is the water fast, in which no food is taken from morning until evening, only water and very dilute fruit juice. It is important to spend time in prayer and reading scripture, otherwise you are just on a diet. The other method of fasting is the 21-day Daniel fast. This involves a very strict vegan regime. No sugar, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, animal products or leavened bread are allowed.
The second approach to fasting is the Daniel fast. This goes on for 21 days, 24/7. Here, there are no restrictions on when to eat or how much. However, it is severely restricted to fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes. No sugar is permitted, nor are artificial sweeteners or preservatives, or any form of animal products. Quality oils are permitted. It takes real commitment and concentration to pull off a successful Daniel fast. It also requires prayer and reading scripture.
Praying, reading the Bible, fasting and tithing are all means of getting an encounter with God. Tithing is the practice of giving 10 percent of all earnings to the church, meaning to God, from whom we ultimately get everything we have or need. Although the first tithe took place in the Old Testament when Mielchizidek collected a tithe from Abraham, it was a covenant thing, and not just an old Testament thing. A covenant is eternal.
Living in a Christian family doesn't make anyone a Christian any more than flying in an airplane makes them an eagle. The ritual of baptism, a public declaration of a love for and a pledge of obedience to Christ are what makes someone a Christian. It's not enough just to believe. Satan believes. Satan's demons believe.
Living a sinless life takes more than just controlling the urge to kill people. God is aiming for a much higher standard than just not being a serial killer. Turning away from sin means turning away from smoking, cursing, drunkenness and pilfering office supplies from work.
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.
Over time, people with the Holy Spirit start to change. Jokes that were once hilarious suddenly seem tacky and offensive. The urge to smoke, drink or use drugs starts to fade. People become calmer and more forgiving. Computer games and gambling give way to reading the Bible and spending time in prayer.
Another Christian practice is that of fasting. There are two ways to observe a fast. One is the water fast, in which no food is taken from morning until evening, only water and very dilute fruit juice. It is important to spend time in prayer and reading scripture, otherwise you are just on a diet. The other method of fasting is the 21-day Daniel fast. This involves a very strict vegan regime. No sugar, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, animal products or leavened bread are allowed.
The second approach to fasting is the Daniel fast. This goes on for 21 days, 24/7. Here, there are no restrictions on when to eat or how much. However, it is severely restricted to fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes. No sugar is permitted, nor are artificial sweeteners or preservatives, or any form of animal products. Quality oils are permitted. It takes real commitment and concentration to pull off a successful Daniel fast. It also requires prayer and reading scripture.
Praying, reading the Bible, fasting and tithing are all means of getting an encounter with God. Tithing is the practice of giving 10 percent of all earnings to the church, meaning to God, from whom we ultimately get everything we have or need. Although the first tithe took place in the Old Testament when Mielchizidek collected a tithe from Abraham, it was a covenant thing, and not just an old Testament thing. A covenant is eternal.
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