Replies

Norm, a change in behavior is not required, it will follow when the person is faithing (yes, the verb form) in Jesus Christ as their Savior daily. Being Born Again is usually characterized by the changes in the behavior of the one newly born into God's family. You cannot change your basic inherited nature with the expectation that God will then grant to you His Grace because you've become 'holy enough' to be called by His name.

It is a cart and horse sort of analogy: once you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart (that place which God sees and men cannot) that God raised Him fromt he dead, you ARE saved. God's name is I AM ... it is a name in the eternal present for a reason. God is unchanging, resolute. To be Born Again is to become 'in the present' eternally. Some put it as 'once saved, always saved'. That's as good a way to express it as any. Mormonism turns that around to read 'once worthy, then saved'. THAT is a direct contradiction to what God accomplished in the person and crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus The Christ, GOD with us, God come in the flesh to dwell among us.

So when you ask of Elsie or any Christian, "Are you suggesting that a change in behavior, and not just a confession of faith, is required to inherit the kingdom of God?", you evidence that you haven't yet grasped the truth of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. In the words of Jesus/God Himself, 'the work of God is that you believe on Him WHom God has sent.' Once you believe/faithe/trust in a daily walk, the One WHom God has sent, your behavior will change because you will be a new creation in Christ Jesus. The changes will not be instantaneous, but God has made the Promise--and God cannot lie--that His SPirit will be with you always, continuously, eternally, and He will change you to conform into the image He has already chosen for you.