Reverse Christianity

[Gideon300]

I watched a Christian movie recently. In one of the scenes, a teenage girl receives Christ. The advice given to her is as good as anything I've ever heard. The woman who witnessed to the teenager advised her to read the first two chapters of Ephesians. She said to write down everything that the Word said that the teenager was now in Christ. If you struggle in your Christian life, I advise you to do the same.

Some Christians think it their duty to swamp new believers with finger wagging "thou shalt nots". Others leave the new believers to flounder on their own. After all, God is supposed to take care of us. Neither is correct. Behaviour as a Christian is important. I doubt the reality of the conversion of anyone who loves to sin. However, guilt tripping the new believer is not helpful either. Those who are more mature should be encouraging new believers to enter into what God has made us to be in Christ.

No Christian is immediately perfect in outward behaviour. However, those who know who they are in Christ have a great advantage over those who do not know the true meaning of being born again. There is a good reason why Paul started his letter to the Ephesians as he did. He tells us who we are in Christ first. Then he tells us how we should live that in experience. I can see no reason as to why we should not do likewise.

 

[Artios1]

I watched a Christian movie recently. In one of the scenes, a teenage girl receives Christ. The advice given to her is as good as anything I've ever heard. The woman who witnessed to the teenager advised her to read the first two chapters of Ephesians. She said to write down everything that the Word said that the teenager was now in Christ. If you struggle in your Christian life, I advise you to do the same.

Some Christians think it their duty to swamp new believers with finger wagging "thou shalt nots". Others leave the new believers to flounder on their own. After all, God is supposed to take care of us. Neither is correct. Behaviour as a Christian is important. I doubt the reality of the conversion of anyone who loves to sin. However, guilt tripping the new believer is not helpful either. Those who are more mature should be encouraging new believers to enter into what God has made us to be in Christ.

No Christian is immediately perfect in outward behaviour. However, those who know who they are in Christ have a great advantage over those who do not know the true meaning of being born again. There is a good reason why Paul started his letter to the Ephesians as he did. He tells us who we are in Christ first. Then he tells us how we should live that in experience. I can see no reason as to why we should not do likewise.

That is a great suggestion not only for new people but for seasoned believers. The first three chapters of Ephesians is all about what God has done for us through Christ Jesus ….It’s not until chapter 4 does God start whit things we should do. ……………2:7 is one of my favorite…

Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

To think ….what is exceeding in Gods eyes ….That in the ages to come God is going to show us the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness towards us ….

Just ponder that for a moment ….. that is what God has planned for us ... in the ages …ages …ages… to come….I don’t think the human mind can fully comprehend that.

 

[RaceRunner]

I watched a Christian movie recently. In one of the scenes, a teenage girl receives Christ. The advice given to her is as good as anything I've ever heard. The woman who witnessed to the teenager advised her to read the first two chapters of Ephesians. She said to write down everything that the Word said that the teenager was now in Christ. If you struggle in your Christian life, I advise you to do the same.

Some Christians think it their duty to swamp new believers with finger wagging "thou shalt nots". Others leave the new believers to flounder on their own. After all, God is supposed to take care of us. Neither is correct. Behaviour as a Christian is important. I doubt the reality of the conversion of anyone who loves to sin. However, guilt tripping the new believer is not helpful either. Those who are more mature should be encouraging new believers to enter into what God has made us to be in Christ.

No Christian is immediately perfect in outward behaviour. However, those who know who they are in Christ have a great advantage over those who do not know the true meaning of being born again. There is a good reason why Paul started his letter to the Ephesians as he did. He tells us who we are in Christ first. Then he tells us how we should live that in experience. I can see no reason as to why we should not do likewise.

Matthew 10:31-35
31 Fear not therefore: better are you than many sparrows. 32 Every one therefore that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven. 33 But he that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven. 34 Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword [Matthew 10:34] 35 For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

 

[Locoponydirtman]

Why is the title "reverse christianity"?

 

[Nehemiah6]

Why is the title "reverse christianity"?

Good question.

 

[Magenta]

Ephesians 1:3 + Philippians 2:13

From Ephesians 1:4-6

Ephesians 1:13-14

Ephesians 1:17-19

 

[Gideon300]

Why is the title "reverse christianity"?

Too many Christians focus on the behaviour of new believers. New believers need to be established in the truth first. Someone I knew quite well as a sincere believer was condemned by his pastor. My friend grew a beard and rode a motor bike. Having a beard apparently was wicked. The church was Pentecostal. Every founding member of Pentecostalism had a beard. Rank hypocrisy. I see nowhere in God's word that motor bikes are inherently evil. If anything, it should improve your prayer life as they can be risky. Yes, I use to ride and have a beard too.

I was judged for having the occasional glass of wine with a meal. I was an alcholic before I was saved. Being able to drink and stop at one was victory for me. But not for the Baptist pastor.

There are over 50 declarations of who the believer is "In Christ" or, "In Him" meaning the same thing, in the NT. If new believers are established in those great truths, many of their problems will evaporate. Real Christians do not want to sin. Some are bound by sin and need to know the freedom that belongs to us in Christ. Others are ignorant and need to know that some behaviours are not acceptable. But get the foundations right and the rest follows.

 

[ResidentAlien]

I watched a Christian movie recently. In one of the scenes, a teenage girl receives Christ. The advice given to her is as good as anything I've ever heard. The woman who witnessed to the teenager advised her to read the first two chapters of Ephesians. She said to write down everything that the Word said that the teenager was now in Christ. If you struggle in your Christian life, I advise you to do the same.

Some Christians think it their duty to swamp new believers with finger wagging "thou shalt nots". Others leave the new believers to flounder on their own. After all, God is supposed to take care of us. Neither is correct. Behaviour as a Christian is important. I doubt the reality of the conversion of anyone who loves to sin. However, guilt tripping the new believer is not helpful either. Those who are more mature should be encouraging new believers to enter into what God has made us to be in Christ.

No Christian is immediately perfect in outward behaviour. However, those who know who they are in Christ have a great advantage over those who do not know the true meaning of being born again. There is a good reason why Paul started his letter to the Ephesians as he did. He tells us who we are in Christ first. Then he tells us how we should live that in experience. I can see no reason as to why we should not do likewise.

So when you say "reverse Christianity," it sounds like you mean hypocritical Christianity. Many Christians do walk in the truth and don't practice the things you're talking about.

 

[Gideon300]

So when you say "reverse Christianity," it sounds like you mean hypocritical Christianity. Many Christians do walk in the truth and don't practice the things you're talking about.

I'm talking about a principle. I've been saved 50 years. I've seen too many new believers weighed down by expectations with no one to help them. I do what I can, when I can, but I have no formal status within the church. Sometimes God leads me to someone in trouble. I'm happy to help, but I am often amazed how little sound teaching many have received. No, not all are hypocritical. There are enough to be a problem that I think should be addressed. Otherwise I would not have created the post. I don't do it for fun or controversy.

 

[Locoponydirtman]

Too many Christians focus on the behaviour of new believers. New believers need to be established in the truth first. Someone I knew quite well as a sincere believer was condemned by his pastor. My friend grew a beard and rode a motor bike. Having a beard apparently was wicked. The church was Pentecostal. Every founding member of Pentecostalism had a beard. Rank hypocrisy. I see nowhere in God's word that motor bikes are inherently evil. If anything, it should improve your prayer life as they can be risky. Yes, I use to ride and have a beard too.

I was judged for having the occasional glass of wine with a meal. I was an alcholic before I was saved. Being able to drink and stop at one was victory for me. But not for the Baptist pastor.

There are over 50 declarations of who the believer is "In Christ" or, "In Him" meaning the same thing, in the NT. If new believers are established in those great truths, many of their problems will evaporate. Real Christians do not want to sin. Some are bound by sin and need to know the freedom that belongs to us in Christ. Others are ignorant and need to know that some behaviours are not acceptable. But get the foundations right and the rest follows.

Those are unchristian legalisms; Pharisees come to mind. One could argue that they are anti christian.

 

[Bruce_Leiter]

I watched a Christian movie recently. In one of the scenes, a teenage girl receives Christ. The advice given to her is as good as anything I've ever heard. The woman who witnessed to the teenager advised her to read the first two chapters of Ephesians. She said to write down everything that the Word said that the teenager was now in Christ. If you struggle in your Christian life, I advise you to do the same.

Some Christians think it their duty to swamp new believers with finger wagging "thou shalt nots". Others leave the new believers to flounder on their own. After all, God is supposed to take care of us. Neither is correct. Behaviour as a Christian is important. I doubt the reality of the conversion of anyone who loves to sin. However, guilt tripping the new believer is not helpful either. Those who are more mature should be encouraging new believers to enter into what God has made us to be in Christ.

No Christian is immediately perfect in outward behaviour. However, those who know who they are in Christ have a great advantage over those who do not know the true meaning of being born again. There is a good reason why Paul started his letter to the Ephesians as he did. He tells us who we are in Christ first. Then he tells us how we should live that in experience. I can see no reason as to why we should not do likewise.

Yes, you're right, of course. However, to read just the first two chapters is unfair to Paul. He uses the first two chapters and the third to describe the "already" of the gospel, whereas the last three chapters elaborate on 2:10 in calling us to strive to overcome the "not-yet" of the gospel. He calls us to seek the changes God wants us to make as a result of Jesus' resurrection power in our lives through God's gift of the new birth. The same is true of Colossians 1 & 2, and 3 & 4. However, I would start her, instead, on the Gospel of Mark for Jesus' ministry, then Matthew and Luke, and finally John. Then, Acts would be next. Then, they would be prepared for Paul.

 

[GRACE_ambassador]

There are over 50 declarations of who the believer is "In Christ" or, "In Him" meaning the same thing, in the NT. If new believers are established in those great truths, many of their problems will evaporate.

Amen! A 'class' about this should be taught to new-born babes long before
the divisive doctrines of baptism, tongues, and end-times eschatology, etc.,
I would think - according To God's Words To Paul, The apostle for the
Body Of Christ!:

God's OPERATION On all HIS New-born babes In Christ!

Because Of:

Christ's ALL-Sufficient Work On The Cross!

Amen.

 

[GRACE_ambassador]

Of course, I left out this important one:

God's Eternal Assurance!
+
Bonus:

God's Eternal Life Insurance!

Amen.

 

[Cameron143]

You go to far. You don't go far enough. Your title suggests this. Your title suggests that.
The porridge is too hot. The porridge is to cold. Some usernames should be changed to Goldilocks.

 

[Nehemiah6]

Too many Christians focus on the behaviour of new believers. New believers need to be established in the truth first. Someone I knew quite well as a sincere believer was condemned by his pastor.

There are a couple of reasons why this problem exists. (1) Too many churches do not have a proper set up for the discipling of new believers on a one-to-one basis, and (2) most churches have "a pastor" rather than a group of pastor/elders who are directly responsible for the above discipling (along with other mature Christians who have been given this responsibility.

 

[JonathanBentley]

They need a good church. I had the perfect church when I got saved with a good youth group. You need to have someone take them under their wing. Take interest in them. Too many churches ignore new concerts. There needs to be many friendly workers not just a pastor.

 

[Gideon300]

They need a good church. I had the perfect church when I got saved with a good youth group. You need to have someone take them under their wing. Take interest in them. Too many churches ignore new concerts. There needs to be many friendly workers not just a pastor.

Finding such a fellowship is hard. Some churches don't even preach the word any more. They've been called seeker churches, friendly to unbelievers. But if they do get saved, they receive no foundational teaching.

If ever the church needed to establish God's people in Christ it is now. The church in so-called Christian countries does not know what persecution is. The storm is coming. Many will find that their foundations are on sand.

 

[Gideon300]

Yes, you're right, of course. However, to read just the first two chapters is unfair to Paul. He uses the first two chapters and the third to describe the "already" of the gospel, whereas the last three chapters elaborate on 2:10 in calling us to strive to overcome the "not-yet" of the gospel. He calls us to seek the changes God wants us to make as a result of Jesus' resurrection power in our lives through God's gift of the new birth. The same is true of Colossians 1 & 2, and 3 & 4. However, I would start her, instead, on the Gospel of Mark for Jesus' ministry, then Matthew and Luke, and finally John. Then, Acts would be next. Then, they would be prepared for Paul.

I disagree. The gospels, especially John, are for unbelievers, or for those with zero Christian upbringing. I would encourage those people to read John. It is noteworthy (to me, anyway) that the gospels were among the last books of the Bible to be written. The Ephesians, Colossians and Thessalonians had no gospels to read.

Those who are born again are alive spiritually. They can receive the teachings of Paul and Peter by the revelation of the Holy Spirit.

In the movie, the girl was a thief. As soon as she was saved, she returned all the stolen items to the owners. That's obedience without even being told. So yes, the inner working of the Holy Spirit will result in outward fruit. But those who do not know who they are in Christ will struggle in life. I see the truth of that on this forum regularly.