Do I have to change?

[ace85]

(I'm not trying to start a controversial debate, just looking for information and different opinons)

I am a new Christian and I was wondering if I really had to change my lifestyle, beliefs, and worldview. I am not really involved in anything that would be considered really "sinful," so would there be anything that I would have to change there (except the obvious praying, going to church, reading the Bible.)

My big question is do I have to change my beliefs on things like science, politics, and morality? I'm politically and socially liberal, accept the scientific evidence for the age of the earth and evolution, and I don't take every word in the Bible literally and accept that there may be some errors in it. I also do not believe that certain "things" most Christians are against (can't say which "things" as it's against forum rules to talk about that here) are immoral or wrong.

Would I have to change some or all of these views to be a Christian? Do I have to become more conservative, accept young-earth creationism (YEC), and believe that those certain "things" are wrong? Isn't believing and having faith in God enough?

 

[lovespeace]

I was a liberal before I became a Christian, and I have remained liberal for moral reasons. I have found being a Christian has given new meaning to the concept of social justice. Just pick a liberal Church and go with it. I also have no trouble with some things that Conservative have trouble with.

 

[God_follower]

Child you dont have to do anything. Thats what free will is, you can either change your views to reflect the truth, or you can live in a lie, you can do whatever you want. There are no errors in the bible, just read it, some translations are different, but Jesus leads, not the bible. The spirit teaches. If you mean do you go to heaven? sure, believe with your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and you will be saved... but thats only a piece of the pie, there are many more pieces to find and have, you can have Jesus, but if you only want heaven, you can sit in the doorway, thats your choice, but your life will be average and so will your heaven. Just ok. not SUPER FANTABULOUSLY WONDERFUL! Personaly I want you to grow in the Lord and learn all about everything, but if you dont want you, noone's gonna force you to do anything.

 

[Sketcher]

(I'm not trying to start a controversial debate, just looking for information and different opinons)

I am a new Christian and I was wondering if I really had to change my lifestyle, beliefs, and worldview. I am not really involved in anything that would be considered really "sinful," so would there be anything that I would have to change there (except the obvious praying, going to church, reading the Bible.)

What did you repent of that you needed Jesus to forgive you for, then?

My big question is do I have to change my beliefs on things like science, politics, and morality? I'm politically and socially liberal, accept the scientific evidence for the age of the earth and evolution, and I don't take every word in the Bible literally and accept that there may be some errors in it. I also do not believe that certain "things" most Christians are against (can't say which "things" as it's against forum rules to talk about that here) are immoral or wrong.

Depends. I personally believe that if the Bible can possibly be wrong, then how can you trust any of it. I know that its truth has saved me eternally and in this life. If you can't accept a certain passage, how can you accept John 3:16, Romans 8, or 1 John 1:9?

Would I have to change some or all of these views to be a Christian? Do I have to become more conservative, accept young-earth creationism (YEC), and believe that those certain "things" are wrong? Isn't believing and having faith in God enough?

Yes, that is enough to get you into Heaven. However, you must make Him the boss of your life instead of yourself. That may mean changing a few stances and attitudes, it has for me. Now, I am a conservative, and I will agree to disagree on issues such as taxes. That is too small to split the church over. Where you run into problems is when you declare that Bush, a Christian, is an evil man for this, that and the other thing. There have been some real sourpusses claiming Christianity who were very judgemental and out to create factions within the church, which is sinful according to Galatians 5:20. They were trying to twist the Bible to be a puppet for their own politics, and I don't care if you lean to the left, the right, or in between, that is wrong to do. We adjust our politics, beliefs and attitudes to what the Bible says, it is not the other way around. And there are some issues where either stance could be right and we need to be civil to one another (Romans 14-15). So have some grace for your Republican brothers and sisters. Accept God's Word as your infallible authority and discover for yourself what God would have you believe through reading, prayer, and paying attention in sermons. You'll find stuff you need to change and stuff you don't, as every Christian does.

 

[snoochface]

I've always held very liberal views on many issues, from before I became a Christian about 9 months ago. I'm not sure what is not allowed to be said on these boards, but my liberal views extended to many hot-button issues that dominate the political news.

I found that after I became a Christian, started studying the Bible and believing in what it said, and growing a bit in my faith, my views on many of these issues started changing. I wasn't deciding to feel differently about anything in particular. It was just, as I started reading the Bible and understanding it, things just naturally started to shift so that I was living my life and experiencing the world around me through the eyes of a new Christian. If you continue to grow in your faith and study the Bible, you might find that to be the case for you as well.

I do have a concern about why you believe the Bible contains inaccuracies, as I do whenever I hear people say that. It makes little sense to me how a person can base their faith in God and in Jesus on a book they think contains wrong information. How do you discern? How do you know what is accurate and what is not? How do you know that Jesus' resurrection isn't one of the inaccuracies? What is your faith based on, if you can't believe everything the Bible says?

When I was becoming a Christian, I was very skeptical toward it, and toward the Bible. I did a great deal of research and study with the sole intent of finding errors in the Bible, finding contradictions, and proving its inaccuracy. What I found instead was exactly the opposite, and through that study to disprove it, I came to believe in it. So from that standpoint, I think maybe you would benefit from that kind of study. I'm sure I'm sounding biased here, but I think it's got to be a requirement that you believe in the Bible, or else I can't understand how you pick and choose what to believe and what not to believe. Maybe some long-term, in depth study of the Bible will help you along in that regard.

So the short answer is no, you don't have to change at all. But I think that as you study and learn and grow, you'll find yourself changing and leaning more toward God, and it won't really take any effort or decision on your part for that to happen. Just pray and read and study and learn, and God will change your heart the way he sees fit.

 

[lovespeace]

She is right that your view will change, there are some things that both liberals and conservatives do that do not in any shape or form conform to what God would have us do. If you wish to be liberal know that there is a long tradition of liberal works in the church, I would reccomend reading about Quakers and Methodists and Anglican and quite a few others. Some of the social policy is very liberal. I have been liberal Christian for 18 years, from back when I was 16.

Signed a Democrat.

Also, I see you are 19, you don't have to pick your life view at this age.

 

[BlessedVegan]

Liberal or conservative, thsoe titles don't matter. What matters is how it relates to the word of God, and as long as it's in line with that, it's fine. Both Democrats and Republicans can be very good Christians. But you gotta remember, somewhere it says "Faith without works is dead" so you do need to change your behaviour that does not go along with being a Christian. IE If your mean to people, or whatever. There are certain things that it is clear is wrong in the Bible but in my heart I don't understand why...I just let it be. I do believe it is a sin, since God says so..however, I don't hate people because of it. My understanding can't grasp it, and I leave it at that. However, I agree with what the other person said. Why dont you think the Bible is accurate? If it isn't, then how can you know anything about God? Personally, becaUSE I know the Bible is the word of God, I believe that God can make it so it is completly accurate. And, according to "Case for Christ" There are very few changes between the Bibles of today adn the earliest manuscripts they have found. I think the earliest is dated to within 100 years of Jesus's life. And the changes are basically with grammer, they don't change the message. Anyway good luck in your walk with God!

 

[ace85]

Thanks for the responses.

It's not that I don't believe the Bible, it's just that I don't accept a 100% literal interpretation of it. There's a difference. I don't have to believe in a literal six day creation and a literal global flood to believe in the teachings of the Bible.

As for my political views, I don't see how they contradict the Bible or Christian belief. I'm also a social liberal for moral reasons, and I don't think I will change those views (unless God wants me to.)

 

[age]

I feel you on the whole do I have to change thing. I have been a Christian for many years and I still strugle w/ some things. I like you can't say what that thing is but the color is green.


As far as your world views, mine are different from yours, in general I consider myself more on the conservative side BUT I wouldn't say I am republican either. Sometime I feel like there isn't anyone else who feels like me.

I can assure you that if you accepted Jesus into your heart and you belive that he died for your sins, then NEVER doubt that you are saved because that is exactly what the devil wants!

You are saved! You are gods child. You do desire a relationship with the Lord! God is very happy about that. You are saved by Grace alone. Even if your measure of faith is small God counts you just as all his children. Maybe he has started working on your heart about some "THINGS" That is ok. Don't be afraid.

My advice is that you ask God to change your heart, form your mind, and conform your will to his. Scary huh? The will of God, that was my biggest fear, what if what he wants for your life isn't what you want? Well TRUST him. Ask him to help you trust him and pray for greater faith to accept God's will for your life. The desires of your heart were placed their by God and he has an incredible plan for your life. He DEFINATELY can do a better job of directing our path that we can. Afterall, he created EVERYTHING!!! Even you! Especially YOU! He designed us to even be able to think these things.

Remember ask God to change your heart, form your mind, and conform your will to his.

GOD BLESS,

Age

 

[BlessedVegan]

OK ace I see waht you mean..I thought you meant you thought there were actual factual errors in teh Bible. But yeah it might not all be exactly literal, some great scholars think teh way you do on that. So don't worry about it! When your deciding your stance on an issue, think about what the Bible says on it, and base your opinion on that. I'm pretty conservative but I don't think liberals are "less" Christian than I..they just have different viewpoints on the issues.

 

[Radagast]

...I was wondering if I really had to change my lifestyle, beliefs, and worldview...

Of course: "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).

With regards to beliefs on things like science, politics, and morality, you need to change them if they're wrong. Don't change them if they're right.

You'll need to decide which is which, of course!

-- Radagast

 

[Radagast]

...But I think that as you study and learn and grow, you'll find yourself changing and leaning more toward God, and it won't really take any effort or decision on your part for that to happen. Just pray and read and study and learn, and God will change your heart the way he sees fit.

Good answer!

-- Radagast

 

[ace85]

Of course: "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).

That is impossible. I'm human, and I can't be perfect.

With regards to beliefs on things like science, politics, and morality, you need to change them if they're wrong. Don't change them if they're right.

You'll need to decide which is which, of course!

I don't think any of my views are wrong, but I will reconsider them.

 

[Radagast]

That is impossible. I'm human, and I can't be perfect.

In heaven you will be. Meanwhile, do your best...

-- Radagast

 

[DawnTillery]

First of all, I would have to say, we all have faults and noone is free from sin, but.. here is my opinion... I think that God will change things about you, when he is ready. I must admit that I dont agree with a couple comments, there are no mistakes in the HOLY BIBLE. The HOLY Bible is the Divine Word of GOD.
Once you are saved, you have the desire to have a change of heart on the things that are wrong, of course, noone is free of sin, but that dont mean you can keep on sinning just because you know you can repent of it later. I had a lot of things to overcome when I was saved. If you pray to God with Faith, he will help you change.