The Bible teaches that a complete conversion is needed, which is a rebirth through the Holy Spirit. It is a concrete event of a new creation, the beginning of a new life. We have been ”created in Christ Jesus…” Eph. 2:10. We have moved into the state of Life brought by the Holy Spirit. ”He poured out this Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,” Titus 3:6. ”If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” Rom. 8:9. But the Holy Spirit of God IS in us, who have received Jesus as the propitiation for our sins and as Lord of our life. Eph. 1:13.
Before we came to faith, we were in the same state as all who have not come to faith; we were ”dead in trespasses and sins…” Eph. 2:1-10. But we became new people when we accepted the resurrected Jesus, who bore the punishment we deserved through his blood on the cross: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; the new has come.” 2 Cor. 5:17. The old was buried in the baptismal tomb. Rom. 6:4. That was the turning point. We put off the old man with his deeds and practices. Eph. 4:17–32. We were separated from the sinful life of the world and were joined to the heavenly community of people, the congregation (ekklesia). Acts 2:40–42. Eph. 2:20–19–22. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Far be it from us! How shall we, who died to sin, live any longer therein? Or do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?” Rom. 6:1-4. Jesus died for us. Rom. 6:22.
Separate yourself from wrong association:
“What fellowship do righteousness and unrighteousness have? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what agreement does a believer have with an unbeliever? And what agreement do idols have with the temple of God? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said, ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.’” Therefore, “Come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing. And I will take you unto myself, and will be a Father to you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Cor. 6:14-18.
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers…” Psalm 1. / “Wine is a mocker…” Proverbs 20:1.
“Do not be deceived, for evil company corrupts good character. Be sober, and do not sin.” 1 Cor. 15:33,34. “And do not get drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” Eph. 5:18.
We must also separate ourselves from the company of religious people if they do not want to come to a living faith and separate themselves from their deceptive religions. “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! ( church religion) She has become the dwelling place of demons and the haunt of every unclean spirit, a cage for every unclean bird and every unclean and hateful beast. All nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication ( national church), and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich from the abundance of her luxury.” Then I heard another voice from heaven say, “Come out of her, my people, that you may not share in her sins, and that you may not receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:2-5.
We cannot have fellowship with demons. “I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.” 1 Cor. 10:20.
“Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate.” Amos 5:15. New life includes eternal life, holy and righteous thoughts, words, and deeds. Eph. 4:17–32.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
Thank you Jesus for saving us from evil.
Weijo Lindroos
Turku
Finland