Who Has Power To Make Christians?

God alone!

Being a Christian is not something you do. It is something you are. It is true that Christians do different things than unbelievers. A Christian will do different things because he IS DIFFERENT. Unbelievers can do some things Christians do but that does not make them Christians. It just makes them unbelievers doing different things. Wanting to be a Christian does not make one a Christian. Wanting the benefits of being a Christian will not make one a Christian.

Becoming a Christian, becoming a new creature and becoming a child of God are the same thing. There is no substitute for becoming a new creature in Christ. If Christ has not made an individual into a new creature that individual is NOT a Christian.

2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Galatians 6:15: For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

God the Father chooses the individuals He will recreate into Christians. The Holy Spirit seals them. Jesus Christ indwells them and washes away their sin.

Ephesians 1:4: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Ephesians 4:30: And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Ephesians 3:17: That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

Revelation 1:5: And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Can an individual make himself into a Christian?

Jeremiah 13:23: Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

The Creator determines the characteristics of the new creature and ordains his good works.

Ephesians 2:10: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Romans 8:14: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

The Holy Spirit leads the children of God.

1 Corinthians 6:17: But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

Christians are given a personal connection to God through which all the necessary powers are provided to them. Unbelievers have no such connection.

Matthew 28:18: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Many of God*s powers come into play in making someone a new creature. The word power in the following three verses comes from three different Greek words. Not only is God powerful, His powers are very complex. We cannot fully understand it much less provide it for ourselves.

John 1:12: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Romans 16:25: Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

1 Peter 1:5: Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

How Much Power Does It Take To Make A Christian? We do not know the complete answer to that question but we can know that God alone has enough of it. How Many Miracles Does It Take To Make A Christian? We cannot answer that question either but we can know that God alone can do whatever it takes.

I love the chorus of John W. Peterson*s song: It Took A Miracle:

It took a miracle to put the stars in place,
It took a miracle to hang the world in space,
But when He saved my soul,
Cleansed and made me whole,
It took a miracle of love and grace!

Care to discuss Who Has Power To Make Christians? with Ron?

He'd also like to hear your prayer requests