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Dear Friends,
I am quite a new member here and would like some advice please. When i became a Christian 12 years ago I just assumed that my journey was typical. I was isolated in a way, as I was convicted of the truth while living in China (another story and I thought everyone who found the Lord was on fire!! On returning to the UK 4 years ago, I learnt there is no such thing as typical. And fires can be of very different strengths. I attended a talk last night on healing given by a lovley retired Scottish minister. He has served the church faithfully for 50+ years but freely admitted to us that he was not 'born in the spirit' until 10 years ago. In other words, he was a Christian, believed in God, preached & believed in the resurrection of Christ, in the inerrancy of the Bible....but had no idea of the freedom & power of the Holy Spirit. I accept this as his story but personaly found this difficult...added to this I have a friend who 'believes in God', has had a very traumatic past, declares her 'safety i Christ' yet questions wether she will ever get to heaven (cannot believe it) has
no real relationship with Christ at all (tells me, What? Christ? no, I speak to God....) and has no freedom, no joy in her life at all as a Christian. God seems to her all powerful but not knowable...I would like to understand this more, rather than offer platitudes....go and pray etc, i would really like some discussion on this. Naivley I thought you 'had' to be born again to be in a relationship with Christ...also, my minister gentleman said the OT should be forgotten, thrown out, it was unforgiving & unloving. I understood the new covenant was brought in by Christ but He himself said he did not come to replace it...oh dear!! I would appreciate some clarity. I know I can and will get it through this by returning to the Word in prayer etc but, it is such a blessing to be able to communicate with like minded folks and discuss what we all love, the Truth. There is more I can add, if anyone would like to engage with me on this, ask away!! I thank you all in advance!! <><
I am quite a new member here and would like some advice please. When i became a Christian 12 years ago I just assumed that my journey was typical. I was isolated in a way, as I was convicted of the truth while living in China (another story and I thought everyone who found the Lord was on fire!! On returning to the UK 4 years ago, I learnt there is no such thing as typical. And fires can be of very different strengths. I attended a talk last night on healing given by a lovley retired Scottish minister. He has served the church faithfully for 50+ years but freely admitted to us that he was not 'born in the spirit' until 10 years ago. In other words, he was a Christian, believed in God, preached & believed in the resurrection of Christ, in the inerrancy of the Bible....but had no idea of the freedom & power of the Holy Spirit. I accept this as his story but personaly found this difficult...added to this I have a friend who 'believes in God', has had a very traumatic past, declares her 'safety i Christ' yet questions wether she will ever get to heaven (cannot believe it) has
no real relationship with Christ at all (tells me, What? Christ? no, I speak to God....) and has no freedom, no joy in her life at all as a Christian. God seems to her all powerful but not knowable...I would like to understand this more, rather than offer platitudes....go and pray etc, i would really like some discussion on this. Naivley I thought you 'had' to be born again to be in a relationship with Christ...also, my minister gentleman said the OT should be forgotten, thrown out, it was unforgiving & unloving. I understood the new covenant was brought in by Christ but He himself said he did not come to replace it...oh dear!! I would appreciate some clarity. I know I can and will get it through this by returning to the Word in prayer etc but, it is such a blessing to be able to communicate with like minded folks and discuss what we all love, the Truth. There is more I can add, if anyone would like to engage with me on this, ask away!! I thank you all in advance!! <><