Going through a phase...

[Jack_]

I'm not a new christian or new to christianity but I'm new to living as a christian. What I mean by that Is I have until recently decided I'm going to stop hanging out with my worldly mates to do worldly things to begin living my life as a christian. What has helped me to come to this decision is the development of my understanding of christianity from an intellectual perspective through christian apologetics. The problem is I am feeling alienated by the way christians act and speak and I'm also getting discouraged from the thought that I know very well how differently tuned my worldly friends are and It is crushing the realization of how hard it would be to evangelize them to live the christian life as well.

 

[MadeInGodsImage]

I'm not a new christian or new to christianity but I'm new to living as a christian. What I mean by that Is I have until recently decided I'm going to stop hanging out with my worldly mates to do worldly things to begin living my life as a christian. What has helped me to come to this decision is the development of my understanding of christianity from an intellectual perspective through christian apologetics. The problem is I am feeling alienated by the way christians act and speak and I'm also getting discouraged from the thought that I know very well how differently tuned my worldly friends are and It is crushing the realization of how hard it would be to evangelize them to live the christian life as well.

Hello Jack. Firstly, its great that you have taken the decision to live as a Christian. I had the same issue when I wanted to start my Christian life as well, same like you I was not new to Christianity then. I didn't have any serious Christians friends from my school at that time and I wanted to tell them about Christ and wanted to ask them to stop the worldy things. I did, i tried, and i found out that talking to them about it and praying for them are the only things i could do. Then God needs to work on them. Then the next year i had to change my school and i moved into a school were i got amazing friends from all around the world. And even though they weren't Christians, they never did the worldy things that my friends from the previous school did, like drinking, smoking, sex etc. My new friends were people who i actually could look upto and admire. I thank God for such friends, and i was able to change my school after i took the decision to follow Christ.

What i want you to know from this is that you don't need to worry and get so sad about your friends, talk to them about Christ and pray for them from your heart. Give your sadness to God. Maybe those friends may move on from you due to your new decision, but don't worry, that's only for the best. God will give you better friends. Also, don't completely stop hanging out with them, if they are planning for something which has nothing ungodly in it, then go with them. If you feel something wrong about it, then don't.

Don't worry about how other Christians speak or behave. The Bible clearly tells us how we should behave, follow the Bible.

Keep praying for your friends, i'm sure God will talk to them, maybe through you or someone else.

 

[Siberian_Khatru]

Jesus gave up his life for us, and yet we struggle to say goodbye to material things and a few friends.

But this is exactly what we signed up for. There's a lot of sacrifice involved, and living the example is not easy, granted. Not everyone will be evangelized, and you will not "sell" everyone on Jesus, either. The focus is to make Him known and let Him do a good work from there.

The problem is I am feeling alienated by the way christians act and speak(...)

Do you mind expanding on this? (I'm taking it as you're struggling with the way they behave; i.e. the self-righteous attitudes that get thrown around, but I'm not really certain.)

 

[Jack_]

Do you mind expanding on this? (I'm taking it as you're struggling with the way they behave; i.e. the self-righteous attitudes that get thrown around, but I'm not really certain.)

I should have elaborated on that and it has to do with pointing out that I have much more of an intellectual perspective on my faith, I guess to me at the moment becoming a christian is finding the truth through evidence in information and passing the test of life. It's my opinion that if you challenge intelligence enough through science, history and logic you will end up at the cross. In the western culture I live in, people are cut short with naturalist perspectives and it's whats inspired me to really challenge Christianity with the intellectual side of the story of God on earth. With that said I believe It is part of being a Christians journey to understand the emotional side of the cross and it does appeal to me don't get me wrong I'm not a robot and I love Jesus for what he did. I guess I was just hoping to get some light shed on the way I feel. Thanks for replying I hope you understand me thus far.

 

[Jack_]

Hello Jack. Firstly, its great that you have taken the decision to live as a Christian. I had the same issue when I wanted to start my Christian life as well, same like you I was not new to Christianity then. I didn't have any serious Christians friends from my school at that time and I wanted to tell them about Christ and wanted to ask them to stop the worldy things. I did, i tried, and i found out that talking to them about it and praying for them are the only things i could do. Then God needs to work on them. Then the next year i had to change my school and i moved into a school were i got amazing friends from all around the world. And even though they weren't Christians, they never did the worldy things that my friends from the previous school did, like drinking, smoking, sex etc. My new friends were people who i actually could look upto and admire. I thank God for such friends, and i was able to change my school after i took the decision to follow Christ.

What i want you to know from this is that you don't need to worry and get so sad about your friends, talk to them about Christ and pray for them from your heart. Give your sadness to God. Maybe those friends may move on from you due to your new decision, but don't worry, that's only for the best. God will give you better friends. Also, don't completely stop hanging out with them, if they are planning for something which has nothing ungodly in it, then go with them. If you feel something wrong about it, then don't.

Don't worry about how other Christians speak or behave. The Bible clearly tells us how we should behave, follow the Bible.

Keep praying for your friends, i'm sure God will talk to them, maybe through you or someone else.

Thank you for shedding light on my perspective. You know I'll be honest I think the biggest thing that caused me to make this thread is the thought of the girl I met on the weekend. She was one of the more beautiful girls I've met and had the cutest, well mannered personality. It dawned on me that she is living amongst a culture where people are so far from the truth that it is desensitised and thrown out the window with naturalism taught in almost every school and perpetuated in society. Not only that, Love and concern has been desensitised itself. If I went out of my way to contact her on the simple basis of concern for her without even mentioning the truth, it would be considered weird in this generation. In summary, It brings me down because I can see just how big a mountain I'd have to climb in my society just to begin talking about the truth. Don't get me wrong I'm set on living for christ for he is the truth and I'm glad you responded to me.

 

[bowharp]

Jack, it's honestly great that you are seeking your journey with God intellectually.

I was in the same situation in my life. I tried to analyzing God through pure mathematics, engineering, biology and chemistry. I'm not saying, don't, but just remember God is infinite, God can not be enclosed in a discrete and quantifying manner. We can only "appreciate" Him through his Word and works through our limited knowledge, time and resources but we can always ask Him for more Wisdom.

Also, please note that we are called to Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[SUP][a][/SUP] [SUP]31 [/SUP]The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[SUP][b][/SUP] There is no commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31) This AND is called a AND logic gate or sometimes known as Logic Conjuction in mathematical. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logical_conjunction

If you excluded any one of these: heart, soul, mind and strength... then we lack in appreciating/loving God to the fullness. However, I believe that even if you seek Him with just the Mind, He will show Himself(in His time) in the other areas of your life such as Soul, Strength and heart.

So good on you for seeking Him. We are all students. We never stop learning and growing in God.

 

[Siberian_Khatru]

I should have elaborated on that and it has to do with pointing out that I have much more of an intellectual perspective on my faith, I guess to me at the moment becoming a christian is finding the truth through evidence in information and passing the test of life. It's my opinion that if you challenge intelligence enough through science, history and logic you will end up at the cross. In the western culture I live in, people are cut short with naturalist perspectives and it's whats inspired me to really challenge Christianity with the intellectual side of the story of God on earth. With that said I believe It is part of being a Christians journey to understand the emotional side of the cross and it does appeal to me don't get me wrong I'm not a robot and I love Jesus for what he did. I guess I was just hoping to get some light shed on the way I feel. Thanks for replying I hope you understand me thus far.

Thanks for building on that, Jack.

We allow the legs of reason to carry us as far as they can, and then we leap. I think it's great that you make a point to intellectualize your faith! Just remember to not sweep the 'faith component' under the rug. It seems like bowharp more or less covered what I wanted to convey in response, so I'll leave it at that.

It sounds like you could make a good Christian apologist.

 

[Jack_]

Jack, it's honestly great that you are seeking your journey with God intellectually.

I was in the same situation in my life. I tried to analyzing God through pure mathematics, engineering, biology and chemistry. I'm not saying, don't, but just remember God is infinite, God can not be enclosed in a discrete and quantifying manner. We can only "appreciate" Him through his Word and works through our limited knowledge, time and resources but we can always ask Him for more Wisdom.

Also, please note that we are called to Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[SUP][a][/SUP] [SUP]31 [/SUP]The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[SUP][b][/SUP] There is no commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31) This AND is called a AND logic gate or sometimes known as Logic Conjuction in mathematical. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logical_conjunction

If you excluded any one of these: heart, soul, mind and strength... then we lack in appreciating/loving God to the fullness. However, I believe that even if you seek Him with just the Mind, He will show Himself(in His time) in the other areas of your life such as Soul, Strength and heart.

So good on you for seeking Him. We are all students. We never stop learning and growing in God.

Thank you bowharp it's good to know that you've had a somewhat similar approach. Very interesting what you have presented me with here I don't know if you know Ravi Zacharias but he's a brilliant christian apologist and I remember him mentioning these and the importance of these two verses. The importance being everything else falls under these two commandments and we are doing everything right by abiding by them. I hope that wasn't an incorrect statement but thank you for re-birthing that in my mind nevertheless and God bless.

 

[Jack_]

We allow the legs of reason to carry us as far as they can, and then we leap.

That's a good way to put it! and yes I understand that the mind, body and soul are all components of serving Christ and I also have found that intelligence only goes so far with the heart of some and I have learned that when trying to bring a friend to Christ who is deep in his realm of new age sort of stuff. That's actually a good thing to hear seeing as I've lot of time being inspired watching debates on youtube of two favorite christian apologists so far which are John lennox and Ravi Zacharias(as I mention above). First people to make me feel like intimidated by their intelligence. So blessed to have them.

 

[bowharp]

Thank you bowharp it's good to know that you've had a somewhat similar approach. Very interesting what you have presented me with here I don't know if you know Ravi Zacharias but he's a brilliant christian apologist and I remember him mentioning these and the importance of these two verses. The importance being everything else falls under these two commandments and we are doing everything right by abiding by them. I hope that wasn't an incorrect statement but thank you for re-birthing that in my mind nevertheless and God bless.

no worries. Sorry, don't know much about Ravi Zechariah but I will look more into it. He does ring a bell. hmm.

 

[Siberian_Khatru]

Dr. Z is awesome! Very good speaker. I had the pleasure of hearing him, in person, speak at a local church about two years ago. His itinerant speakers are pretty good too (I especially like Michael Ramsden).

 

[MadeInGodsImage]

Thank you for shedding light on my perspective. You know I'll be honest I think the biggest thing that caused me to make this thread is the thought of the girl I met on the weekend. She was one of the more beautiful girls I've met and had the cutest, well mannered personality. It dawned on me that she is living amongst a culture where people are so far from the truth that it is desensitised and thrown out the window with naturalism taught in almost every school and perpetuated in society. Not only that, Love and concern has been desensitised itself. If I went out of my way to contact her on the simple basis of concern for her without even mentioning the truth, it would be considered weird in this generation. In summary, It brings me down because I can see just how big a mountain I'd have to climb in my society just to begin talking about the truth. Don't get me wrong I'm set on living for christ for he is the truth and I'm glad you responded to me.

You are so right when you say that it would be considered weird in this generation if you went out of your way to contact her with genuine concern. Hopefully if its God's plan, he will give you an opportunity to get to know her better. Christ is the truth, and no matter how big the mountain is he'll guide you through it.

 

[Jack_]

You are so right when you say that it would be considered weird in this generation if you went out of your way to contact her with genuine concern. Hopefully if its God's plan, he will give you an opportunity to get to know her better. Christ is the truth, and no matter how big the mountain is he'll guide you through it.

Thank you for replying I understand that Gods plan is of most importance for me and in that I am satisfied Christ is the truth and the truth is good.

 

[Jack_]

Dr. Z is awesome! Very good speaker. I had the pleasure of hearing him, in person, speak at a local church about two years ago. His itinerant speakers are pretty good too (I especially like Michael Ramsden).

Must have been inspiring to see hear him in person, hes very articulate and gets to the core. I shall follow up on michael ramsden in my interest for christian apologies.

 

[Practice-English]

Well Done,
you're courageous
than me for sure.
Just wanted to tell you that.