Question: Let's say "Mulan" is an atheist. She recently became a member of the Communist Party. Then soon after, a friend shares the gospel with Mulan, and Mulan becomes a Christian. Does Mulan have to leave the CP in order to be a true Christian?
I don't think there's anything that Mulan can do in order to be a true Christian. But if, by God’s grace, Mulan has been born again in Christ, it would be natural for her to want to get rid of her old ways. Everything will be different in the light of Christ. How can she remain undisturbed under external forces that try to destroy her allegiance to Christ?
Even if her changed attitude about the CP doesn't bring her to act on it immediately, what I would consider more important is the eye-opening process of repentence and renewal in her heart. There are several questions that she may want to ponder over: Is the CP a God-honoring system? What kind of control does the CP have over her life? In what ways does her involvement with the Party go against her new conscience as a believer? How can she submit those areas before the authority of the King?
The "right" decision for Mulan won't be in a one-sentenced solution as to whether she should leave or stay in the CP, but in her heart that "actively" seeks Christ. When she does, the Holy Spirit will take her through every step of the decision. If she desires to exalt Christ in every area of her life and is doing everything she can to seek righteousness in her life (faith and action both at work), the Holy Spirit will help her make decisions that are pleasing to Him. Whether she purposefully leaves the CP, whether the CP kicks her out, or whether she's in the CP for the rest of her life witnessing to unbelievers; if she's pouring her heart out for Jesus, He will let her know that she is in the most rightful place.
(An afterthought: don't we all have a CP of our own kind? If we substitute wealth, educational institutes, organizations and careers for CP, we have nearly everybody in every situation.)
I don't think there's anything that Mulan can do in order to be a true Christian. But if, by God’s grace, Mulan has been born again in Christ, it would be natural for her to want to get rid of her old ways. Everything will be different in the light of Christ. How can she remain undisturbed under external forces that try to destroy her allegiance to Christ?
Even if her changed attitude about the CP doesn't bring her to act on it immediately, what I would consider more important is the eye-opening process of repentence and renewal in her heart. There are several questions that she may want to ponder over: Is the CP a God-honoring system? What kind of control does the CP have over her life? In what ways does her involvement with the Party go against her new conscience as a believer? How can she submit those areas before the authority of the King?
The "right" decision for Mulan won't be in a one-sentenced solution as to whether she should leave or stay in the CP, but in her heart that "actively" seeks Christ. When she does, the Holy Spirit will take her through every step of the decision. If she desires to exalt Christ in every area of her life and is doing everything she can to seek righteousness in her life (faith and action both at work), the Holy Spirit will help her make decisions that are pleasing to Him. Whether she purposefully leaves the CP, whether the CP kicks her out, or whether she's in the CP for the rest of her life witnessing to unbelievers; if she's pouring her heart out for Jesus, He will let her know that she is in the most rightful place.
(An afterthought: don't we all have a CP of our own kind? If we substitute wealth, educational institutes, organizations and careers for CP, we have nearly everybody in every situation.)
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