Christian Churches of God
No. 72z
Summary:
Conversion and Truth
(Edition 1.1 19941015-19980725)
The concept of conversion as a process of turning from error is shown to be a fundamental teaching of Christ.
Christian Churches of God
PO Box 369, WODEN ACT 2606, AUSTRALIA
E-mail:
secretary@ccg.org
(Copyright ã 1994, 1998 Wade Cox)
(Summary by Patti Gambier Ed. Wade Cox)
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Conversion and Truth
The concept of conversion is from the root words in Greek to "revert’ or " turn back" and from Hebrew to "turn back’.
Thus the truth must be available to all nations at one time, for one to turn back the truth (Isa 6:10; Mat 13:15; Mark 4:12; Psa 19:7)
The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The law thus produces the standard by which we turn to God. It is the gauge of one’s actions, and there is no gauge valid outside the law of God.
Conversion depends on understanding the truth contained in the Word of God, and most importantly, acting on the logic of that truth.
The re-establishment of truth occurred under Noah, to a world without contamination.
The process of breaking free from the mindset of the world and its false religions, especially the systems masquerading as "Christianity’, is controlled by God in the method of calling the individual and teaching the truth of God to that person, and revealing the error of transgressions (Ps. 51:13).
Returning to God (converting, acknowledging error) is essentially a childlike humility of spirit, and a curiosity and a trust engendered by the veracity of the material presented (Mat. 18:3).
The word here is SGD 4762 to "strengthen by twisting". So our conversion is strengthened by the trials we must face. Thus understanding truth and the error of our ways, based on the law of God, leads to repentance and then the process of conversion which involves turning from error. This capacity to change and overcome error is conferred by the Holy Spirit. Obedience is a spiritual battle, and entails a change of mindset away from the mindset of the Fallen Host who rule this planet (2Jn. 1:4; 2Thes. 2:10).
It is essential to recognise truth and be compelled to follow God. The love of the truth is a mark of the elect (Jn 14:17; 15:26).
The truth proceeds from the Father by the Holy Spirit, and must be upheld in righteousness (Rom. 1:18). So one who knows the truth and continues in error, and teaches erroneous material is in danger of the wrath of God.
The truth is the undergarment of the armour of God (Eph. 6:14; 2Tim. 2:15-25). One must be purged of iniquity – an absolute cleansing of filth. Then he is fit for good works, and can pray for the repentance and conversion, and acceptance of truth on behalf of others.
Truth is according to godliness (Tit. 1:1 (NKJV) (Green’s Interlinear). God is the God of Truth (Isa. 65:16).
No one should give his intellect over to another. The knowledge of the One True God and Jesus Christ His Son is eternal life (Jn. 17:3). Thus any church teaching otherwise and the congregation who is duped, will not be in the first resurrection. They will be in the second resurrection for correction and education in truth (1Cor. 5:4,5).
There is no third resurrection, but anyone not accepting the truth during instruction in the second resurrection will die and be burnt (Heb. 10:26,27). It is not God’s will that any should perish (2Pet. 3:9). Thus all those not of the elect in the first resurrection will be in the second resurrection (Rev.20:4,5).
The truth sets us free (Jn. 8:32). Each person must act on understanding, and repent for the blotting out of sins (Acts. 3:19).
The process of separating the elect according to truth, of necessity involves division of the elect (1Jn. 2:17-27). If a church preaches heresy – i.e. doctrine contrary to God’s word, which is truth (Jn. 17:17), it takes itself out of the body of Christ. No one of the elect is confined to a corporate structure, which is in error. He or she must act on the truth, and walk out of that congregation.
The elect love truth and each other, and seek to strengthen each other (Lk. 22:31,32).
The end result of the whole process is that all Israel will be redeemed, and eventually the whole world will be converted (Isa. 1:27).
Our responsibility is to spread the truth worldwide, and work to set the people free by the truth.
God’s elect have always been persecuted and killed, but their minds have been freed by the truth, and no longer shackled to error.
Weigh and divide, discern and identify the truth, AND ACT ON IT……
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