Two Types of Christians

[FreeNChrist]

... as long as they bear his fruit. It takes effort.

How much effort does it take for a branch to remain in the Vine?

 

[resurrection33]

Both...most of the time I try to keep my attitude in check and the way I look at things...and I don't know if I would call it climbing the social ladder but I hope I will be a big influence on a lot of people because I have a huge burden for the lost! I can't stand the thought of anyone going to hell...it's depressing thinking about it.

"Climbing the social ladder" is an expression regarding people who take shortcuts in life to gain status. One group of Christians labors long and hard to do the Lord's will. The other group labors long and hard to gain status. We all want to be in the first group.

 

[resurrection33]

The first group will come out ahead, in the sense that they would be commended, but after commending them, they would then be told what more is needed.

Mark 10:
17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

I would still rather be one of those trying to resist temptation than one of those climbing the social ladder.

 

[resurrection33]

o gee... if I am going to try and overcome by resisting, it's over

I have to dig into the new life Christ has given me to make it

do Christians climb some sort of Christian social ladder? I'm not getting your two choices

if a person is trying to come out ahead in either of your 2 options, what is it they are ahead of?

sorry...I'm a pain with all the questions...you should see inside my head...or maybe not...LOL!

Yes, many Christians climb a social ladder. Do you remember the Lord’s remarks about hypocrites?

Those who try to resist temptation avoid the consequences that befall those who don’t.

 

[resurrection33]

No body in that group

I hope you're not suggesting that there is no point in resisting temptation.

 

[resurrection33]

I am trying to resist, but, honestly? I suspect I'm supposed to replace that with something else somewhere along the way. I simply don't know what that is yet. (The problem with being new at something.)

You’re wrestling with the temptation of tobacco. I commend you on your fight. You need to win this battle.

I, too, wrestle with temptation and I don’t always win. And like you, I’m trying to figure out how to conquer this boredom.

Actually, I’ve been enjoying responding to these posts this last hour. At first I wasn't going to read any of them, suspecting everyone would be mad at me, but i changed my mind and no one has thrown anything too awful at me, yet.

Boredom? Well, I read the Upper Room devotional to kick off each day. Read the paper. Take a forty minute walk (since I’m retired and need exercise), post on Christian Chat twice a day, write novels (a hobby of mine), rehearse music, play a computer baseball game (APBA), watch TV, sing in my church choir, read history and biography, and maybe some other things.

 

[resurrection33]

surrender

that's all

? ?

 

[resurrection33]

There is only one type of Christian! The other type you refer to is a False Prophet talked about in Matthew 7:15.

But few people are thought of as prophets, good or bad. I'm thinking of everyday people who call themselves Christians. Lots of them have a lot of mischief in them.

 

[resurrection33]

Yes, neither.

Impossible.

 

[resurrection33]

His effort.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

No, we have to exert effort also. Remember the first and great commandment: We are to love the Lord with all our hearts, minds, and souls.

 

[resurrection33]

How much effort does it take for a branch to remain in the Vine?

Once the branch has overcome a handful of bad habits, maybe not too much.

 

[FreeNChrist]

No, we have to exert effort also.

“How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?” Gal 3:3​

 

[Grace777x70]

I am the Vine - you are the branches.. without Me you can do nothing. The branch cannot do anything on it's own to produce fruit. It's the life of Christ that flows in it that bears His fruit in and through the branch.

 

[resurrection33]

“How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?” Gal 3:3​

Here is how my Bible puts it:

Are you so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? Gal 3:3 RSV

Jesus told us to repent. You can either obey him or look for reasons not to.

 

[resurrection33]

I am the Vine - you are the branches.. without Me you can do nothing. The branch cannot do anything on it's own to produce fruit. It's the life of Christ that flows in it that bears His fruit in and through the branch.

It's true that many times, in my endeavor to resist temptation, I've needed the Lord's guidance.