What has your experience been like?

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3angelsmsg

Junior Member
Mar 1, 2018
610
649
93
#1
Many of us has come to point of repentance and a sincere desire to be changed and to walk according to the law and the word of God. But how many of us can truly say that we experience the life which Jesus truly came to give to us? Are we still envious of others? Do we have a gentle spirit, easily forgiving others when they talk bad about us? Love our enemies and truly have the best in mind for others. Meaning living for others. Do not force others to believe what we teach and preach.
 

Whispered

Well-known member
Aug 17, 2019
4,551
2,229
113
www.christiancourier.com
#2
I think there are people who believe once they're saved that it is an instantaneous transformation from who they were prior unto a perfect angel of a person once they've received Christ.
In my experience it is a process. One that begins with learning to trust.
All of this is a reflection upon that personal experience therefore I speak for and of myself.
Being born into this world we're raised by people, our parents or parent, who have their own experience in life to accompany their teaching us how the world works.

And often enough learning how to cope in the world, even when raised in the faith, is a balancing act. As a child brought to church it can be difficult to understand the full import of the Salvation principles. Sunday school intends to do that but they usually proceed with a child like choreography or lesson plan to begin that education. While the wiles of the enemy, the traps he sets, the discernment necessary to navigate while living in this world knowing one is no longer part of its temptations, is for more mature minds than that of a child.

That's why I say it is a process to live the Gospel truth. I think what causes concern often enough is when we're told, being Christian means being like Christ. "Christ-like = Christian= or, Christ_I_am".
Then when we lose our temper we may feel as if we're not really walking in the way of our Lord. But yet, we have but to recall Jesus lost his temper too. And being Christ , Emmanuel, God with us, was the Father in the Old Testament accounts, more than once. So then it becomes OK to get mad once in awhile.
Even if a curse word or two go along with that. Jesus called the scribes and the pharisee's curse words as they would have been known in his day. Vipers, you are of your father the Devil, etc...

Jesus did not sin and yet he was fully human and fully channeling his God power at the same time. So we cannot hope to be precisely like Christ.
Trust is the big one. Let go and let God, as they say. Trust God see's and knows everything about us and the path we're to travel on the life road ahead. For so long before we were saved we plotted our own course and took our own responsibility for it. Now, while we are still responsible for our actions, we have to learn how to let the indwelling Holy Spirit of our Father guide our steps, thoughts, actions.
That takes time too. Rather than immediately respond to something, pause. As is in the scriptures, "be still and know I am God".
Be still when encountering something that BC, Before Christ, you would have addressed as that old self. Let the Lord's guidance help you through.
Instead of giving attitude right back at that cashier that is up in your face, as example, pause in the stillness of your own sense of being the temple of the most high Lord, and let Him find your words to say back. If you are to say anything at all.

It is a process , a life long process. It is all for our benefit as we learn more and more to trust and let go of our way and live in the way of Holy God and how He would prefer us to do.
And it's fun. :) Especially when you get really good at taking that moment to be still and let God guide you. If you're like me as it happens, you recall what the old you would have done instead. And this then lets me see how far I've come.
 

Subhumanoidal

Well-known member
Sep 17, 2018
3,645
2,865
113
#3
How many in the bible lived that way? How many of the Apostles lived that way? Many of the greatest figures in the bible are known for their greatest moments of faith, but rarely do we hear about their weakest moments.
People love talking about Noah's faith and commitment, but how often do we hear about his getting drunk, butt nekkid and passing out, disgracing his family?
The reality of the Christian walk is highs and lows. Failures and victories. The idea is not that you never fail, it's that you are given a new chance every day to start fresh, regardless of what happened the day before.
That's grace.
 
M

morefaithrequired

Guest
#4
How many in the bible lived that way? How many of the Apostles lived that way? Many of the greatest figures in the bible are known for their greatest moments of faith, but rarely do we hear about their weakest moments.
People love talking about Noah's faith and commitment, but how often do we hear about his getting drunk, butt nekkid and passing out, disgracing his family?
The reality of the Christian walk is highs and lows. Failures and victories. The idea is not that you never fail, it's that you are given a new chance every day to start fresh, regardless of what happened the day before.
That's grace.
I sometimes think that aiming for a sinless lifestyle is wrong. Or the wrong approach. What God is looking for from us is mercy. We need to show the same mercy and tolerance to others that He shows to us.
Life is not about ticking all the right boxes. Life is about attitude. Rolling with punches. As you say, starting each day anew and not being discouraged by yesterday's sins.
 

Lightskin

Well-known member
Aug 16, 2019
3,165
3,665
113
#5
Many of us has come to point of repentance and a sincere desire to be changed and to walk according to the law and the word of God. But how many of us can truly say that we experience the life which Jesus truly came to give to us? Are we still envious of others? Do we have a gentle spirit, easily forgiving others when they talk bad about us? Love our enemies and truly have the best in mind for others. Meaning living for others. Do not force others to believe what we teach and preach.
People are still alive today because of my faith in Jesus. Let that sink in.
 

3angelsmsg

Junior Member
Mar 1, 2018
610
649
93
#6
I sometimes think that aiming for a sinless lifestyle is wrong. Or the wrong approach. What God is looking for from us is mercy. We need to show the same mercy and tolerance to others that He shows to us.
Life is not about ticking all the right boxes. Life is about attitude. Rolling with punches. As you say, starting each day anew and not being discouraged by yesterday's sins.
I get what you mean. But we need to strive, but not in a legalism way.

You probably meant to quote the following scripture which has so much significance

KJV Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
 
M

morefaithrequired

Guest
#7
I get what you mean. But we need to strive, but not in a legalism way.

You probably meant to quote the following scripture which has so much significance

KJV Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Good quote. thanks.
perfectionism. that's what we need to avoid. because if we adopt perfectionism we expect others to be perfect too. Maybe jesus wanted us to be more easygoing? That sounds trite. But yeah, not taking things too seriously. Lighten up. Don't beat yourself up or anyone else when we make mistakes. Focus on building others up not bringing them down.
 

3angelsmsg

Junior Member
Mar 1, 2018
610
649
93
#8
I agree with building up one another. We need to look onto Jesus, and by beholding Him we will be change. We ought never to look to our neighbour as a standard of living. The bible has set the standard to make it to heaven.

We are held accountable individually. I get what you mean. And another point, I would like to make is that Jesus cannot return until His character has been perfected in His people. Because the only time satan has persecuted the church was when the church was pure and holy

Persecution of christians are happening but not on global scale yet. Mostly arab countries
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,097
6,480
113
#9
Depends on your definition of "persecution."
Christians face some level of persecution all over the world. Here in the US, Christians are persecuted every time our Government passes Legislations that directly contradict Gods Law and Christians beliefs, convictions.

China is one Nation that is seriously persecuting Christians. Southeast Asia, Christians are persecuted. Central and South America, Christians are persecuted. Russia, Romania.....and on, and on, and on.....

Where ever the Church is established, persecution exists.
 

3angelsmsg

Junior Member
Mar 1, 2018
610
649
93
#10
Depends on your definition of "persecution."
Christians face some level of persecution all over the world. Here in the US, Christians are persecuted every time our Government passes Legislations that directly contradict Gods Law and Christians beliefs, convictions.

China is one Nation that is seriously persecuting Christians. Southeast Asia, Christians are persecuted. Central and South America, Christians are persecuted. Russia, Romania.....and on, and on, and on.....

Where ever the Church is established, persecution exists.
Persecution in the sense, of christians losing their lives. The trend around the world is the same. The laws being passes are contrary to the law of God in all the countries. The 2020 /2030 agenda of United Nations aims to redistribute of wealth and climate change is the major underlying agenda to reform the world. Matthew 24 says that christians will be hated and then will be killed.

Like in the dark ages, where millions of christians were murdered for following the dictates of their convictions.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,173
113
#11
One picture I was given was the salvation process is like peeling an onion, theres all these layers to get to the core. The onion grows from the core so that new life is going to spring up and we need to let God access our lives to prune or peel away the old parts of our lives to reveal fresh growth. And this is continual.
 

3angelsmsg

Junior Member
Mar 1, 2018
610
649
93
#12
One picture I was given was the salvation process is like peeling an onion, theres all these layers to get to the core. The onion grows from the core so that new life is going to spring up and we need to let God access our lives to prune or peel away the old parts of our lives to reveal fresh growth. And this is continual.
Beautiful. The buzz word sanctification. And total dependence on God. And my experience at the moment is that I so easily look for help from others without asking God first.

Or in something simple as friend was in need of money. I wasn't in position to help. But your mind immediately go, cannot family help or close friend. Then rather going to God first.