I agree that God will punish all sin. But being wrong about Theology is not a sin, as being wrong about Geography or Physics is not a sin.
If a Jehovah Witness lady does not believe in Jesus deity, she is not committing a sin. Perhaps she is wrong, but errors are not sins.
How does the sinner get transformed?
Like this?
In the Bahá'í Faith, the transformation of a sinner occurs through personal effort, divine assistance, and the cultivation of spiritual virtues, rather than through the belief in blood atonement or vicarious sacrifice.
This process emphasizes the individual's responsibility to recognize their spiritual shortcomings and actively w
ork toward self-improvement while seeking God's guidance and mercy. Key elements of this transformation include the following:
Repentance and Turning to God: The sinner must first acknowledge their errors and sincerely repent. This act of turning to God is seen as the first step in the transformative process, as it opens the heart to divine guidance. `Abdu'l-Bahá explains:
"The sinner must repent and seek forgiveness, for through repentance the soul becomes purified and is drawn nearer to God" (Some Answered Questions, p. 231).
Recognition of God's Mercy: In Bahá'í teachings, God's forgiveness is freely given to those who genuinely repent. Unlike the doctrine of blood atonement, the Bahá'í Faith holds that divine mercy is not contingent upon a sacrificial act but is ever-present for those who seek it with sincerity. Bahá'u'lláh writes:
"Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may unravel its secrets and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths. Beware lest ye hesitate in your acceptance of this truth, for this is the shining light that leadeth whosoever turneth thereunto to the safe haven of My presence" (The Hidden Words).
Acquisition of Virtues: Transformation is achieved through the active pursuit of virtues such as love, humility, patience, and service to others. By aligning one's actions and thoughts with spiritual principles, the individual becomes a reflection of divine attributes. `Abdu'l-Bahá states:
"The essence of faith is fewness of words and abundance of deeds; he whose words exceed his deeds, know verily his death is better than his life" (Bahá'í World Faith, p. 382).
Continuous Effort and Striving:
Spiritual growth is viewed as an ongoing process requiring effort and perseverance. The sinner is transformed not through a single event but through a lifelong commitment to self-refinement and devotion to God. Bahá'u'lláh emphasizes:
"Bring thyself to account each day ere thou art summoned to a reckoning; for death, unheralded, shall come upon thee and thou shalt be called to give account for thy deeds" (The Hidden Words).
Connection with Divine Revelation:
Bahá'ís believe that studying the sacred writings and meditating on the teachings of God provide guidance for moral and spiritual development. This connection with divine revelation acts as a source of strength and enlightenment, helping the individual overcome sinful tendencies.
Service to Humanity:
True transformation is demonstrated through acts of service, as service to others is considered a form of worship in the Bahá'í Faith. By focusing on the well-being of humanity, the sinner shifts their perspective from self-centeredness to selflessness, which is essential for spiritual growth.
To summarize, in the Bahá'í Faith, the sinner is transformed by recognizing their need for change, seeking God's forgiveness, striving to embody divine virtues, and engaging in continuous self-improvement and service to others. This transformation is rooted in a direct relationship with God and the individual's conscious effort to align their life with spiritual truths, rather than relying on an external act of atonement.
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The Scriptures are clear that the radical transformation of a sinner’s life comes not through human effort or good works, but through the saving work of Jesus Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the grace of God. This transformation is often referred to as being "born again" or "quickened," and it involves both justification (being declared righteous) and sanctification (being made holy). Let’s examine what Scripture teaches about this profound change:
Quickened by the Holy Spirit:
A sinner is made alive, or "quickened," by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Paul writes in Ephesians 2:1-5:
"And you, being dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world...even when we were dead in trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ-by grace you are saved!"
Eph 2:1 και υμας οντας νεκρους τοις παραπτωμασιν και ταις αμαρτιαις
Eph 2:2 εν αις ποτε περιεπατησατε κατα τον αιωνα του κοσμου τουτου κατα τον αρχοντα της εξουσιας του αερος του πνευματος του νυν ενεργουντος εν τοις υιοις της απειθειας
Eph 2:3 εν οις και ημεις παντες ανεστραφημεν ποτε εν ταις επιθυμιαις της σαρκος ημων ποιουντες τα θεληματα της σαρκος και των διανοιων και ημεν τεκνα φυσει οργης ως και οι λοιποι
Eph 2:4 ο δε θεος πλουσιος ων εν ελεει δια την πολλην αγαπην αυτου ην ηγαπησεν ημας
Eph 2:5 και οντας ημας νεκρους τοις παραπτωμασιν συνεζωοποιησεν τω χριστω χαριτι εστε σεσωσμενοι
This passage highlights that transformation begins with God’s initiative. While we were spiritually dead, God, through His mercy and love, brought us to life
in Christ.
Illumination by the Spirit:
The Holy Spirit enlightens the sinner, enabling them to understand the truth of the Gospel. 2 Corinthians 4:6 says:
"For God who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."
Without the Spirit’s illumination, the sinner remains blind to the truths of God. It is not human effort but divine revelation that opens the eyes of the heart (Ephesians 1:18).
Faith in the Gospel of Christ:
Transformation happens when a sinner believes in the message of the cross. Paul declares in Romans 1:16:
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..."
The Gospel centers on Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), and it is through faith in His atoning work that a person is justified before God.
The Cross and the New Creation:
It is the crucifixion of Christ that makes a new life possible. Paul writes in Galatians 2:20:
"I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
The believer’s transformation is not self-driven; it is Christ living in them that produces the radical change.
The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit:
At the moment of faith, the Holy Spirit indwells the believer, empowering them for holy living. Romans 8:9-11 says:
"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you."
The Spirit not only gives new life but also leads the believer in a walk of obedience and transformation.
The Role of Grace, Not Works:
Salvation and transformation are entirely by grace and not by works. Titus 3:5-6 states:
"He saved us not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. He poured out His Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior."
Human effort plays no role in regeneration. It is the work of God through His Spirit and the merit of Christ alone.
Bearing Fruit Through the Spirit:
Once transformed, the believer’s life bears fruit as evidence of this change. This fruit is the work of the Spirit, not human effort. Galatians 5:22-23 says:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control..."
The Spirit produces these virtues in the believer as they grow in sanctification.
Summary
The radical transformation of a sinner is entirely the work of God: it begins with the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit, who quickens the dead sinner to life and enables them to believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Through faith in Christ’s death and resurrection, the sinner is justified and sealed with the Holy Spirit, who indwells them and empowers them to live a life that glorifies God. This transformation is not achieved through human effort but through the grace of God, as revealed in the Gospel.
Let us hold fast to the truth that salvation and transformation come only through Christ and His Spirit, not by our own works==
Contrary to what is written in
your books and founder--
"Another gospel"
1Co 15:1 And I make known to you, brethren, the good news that I proclaimed to you, which also ye did receive, in which also ye have stood,
1Co 15:2 through which also ye are being saved, in what words I proclaimed good news to you, if ye hold fast, except ye did believe in vain,
1Co 15:3 for I delivered to you first, what also I did receive, that Christ died for our sins, according to the Writings,
1Co 15:4 and that he was buried, and that he hath risen on the third day, according to the Writings,
1Co 15:5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve,
1Co 15:6 afterwards he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain till now, and certain also did fall asleep;
1Co 15:7 afterwards he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
1Co 15:8 And last of all—as to the untimely birth—he appeared also to me,
1Co 15:9 for I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I did persecute the assembly of God,
1Co 15:10 and by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace that is towards me came not in vain, but more abundantly than they all did I labour, yet not I, but the grace of God that is with me;
1Co 15:11 whether, then, I or they, so we preach, and so ye did believe.
The Resurrection of the Dead
1Co 15:12 And if Christ is preached, that out of the dead he hath risen, how say certain among you, that there is no rising again of dead persons?
1Co 15:13 and if there be no rising again of dead persons, neither hath Christ risen;
1Co 15:14 and if Christ hath not risen, then void is our preaching, and void also your faith,
1Co 15:15 and we also are found false witnesses of God, because we did testify of God that He raised up the Christ, whom He did not raise if then dead persons do not rise;
1Co 15:16 for if dead persons do not rise, neither hath Christ risen,
1Co 15:17 and if Christ hath not risen, vain is your faith, ye are yet in your sins;
1Co 15:18 then, also, those having fallen asleep in Christ did perish;
1Co 15:19 if in this life we have hope in Christ only, of all men we are most to be pitied.
1Co 15:20 And now, Christ hath risen out of the dead—the first-fruits of those sleeping he became,
1Co 15:21 for since through man is the death, also through man is a rising again of the dead,
1Co 15:22 for even as in Adam all die, so also in the Christ all shall be made alive,
1Co 15:23 and each in his proper order, a first-fruit Christ, afterwards those who are the Christ's, in his presence,
1Co 15:24 then—the end, when he may deliver up the reign to God, even the Father, when he may have made useless all rule, and all authority and power—
1Co 15:25 for it behoveth him to reign till he may have put all the enemies under his feet—
1Co 15:26 the last enemy is done away—death;
1Co 15:27 for all things He did put under his feet, and, when one may say that all things have been subjected, it is evident that He is excepted who did subject the all things to him,
1Co 15:28 and when the all things may be subjected to him, then the Son also himself shall be subject to Him, who did subject to him the all things, that God may be the all in all.
1Co 15:29 Seeing what shall they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? why also are they baptized for the dead?
1Co 15:30 why also do we stand in peril every hour?
1Co 15:31 Every day do I die, by the glorying of you that I have in Christ Jesus our Lord:
1Co 15:32 if after the manner of a man with wild beasts I fought in Ephesus, what the advantage to me if the dead do not rise? let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die!
1Co 15:33 Be not led astray; evil communications corrupt good manners;
1Co 15:34 awake up, as is right, and sin not; for certain have an ignorance of God; for shame to you I say it .
The Scripture is my witness and refutes you false belief system.
J.