Many Christian believers seek God for the power and fame of being called a "Born Again Christian", but this does not mean they have genuinely repented of their sins.The Holy Spirit works genuine repentance in us when we are SUBMITTED to Christ, but our flesh just wants to avoid the consequence and punishment our sins causes us.
The call of Christ is for Christian believers to be DISCIPLES... Following Jesus and quoting Scriptures DOES NOT make you a true "Disciple" of Jesus Christ, nor is it merely a way to improve our lives. Following Jesus Christ as one of His DISCIPLES means SUBMITTING our will and ways to Him, and receiving His WILL and WAYS as a NEW CREATION IN HIM, thus we stop being a WANNABE CHRISTIAN DISCIPLES.
God is NOT impressed or persuaded by the things that impress or persuade us...
An obedient response to Jesus' commands is a sign to TRUE CONVERSION. Therefore, people who were once AGAINST Christ BEFORE CONVERSION, can have a strong INFLUENCE FOR CHRIST when they switch to DEFENDING Christ AFTER TRUE CONVERSION.
I have come to understand (and I'm sure I was told this when I first came to the faith, but it's one thing hearing it another thing finding it out through trial and error!) that there is no one way to be a Christian!
We can talk about generalities like, staying in the word, fellow-shipping and praying, but it is quite difficult to explain how to actually do these things at all or in an effective way.
I think there's a key characteristic that makes us Christian though. It's that (whilst we are without sin and still truly known by Jesus) we are endowed with the Holy Spirit of God, so that's a great starting point; Staying in the Spirit.
It's different for each of us, some find it easier to get into spirit with music for example, others simply by reading the word, others through fellowship and still others by prayer. I'm not suggesting by the way that prayer can be avoided of course.
When I first became a Christian I was able to pray for hrs per day, now it's not so easy.
In general though, I believe that whatever works for us, we always keep in mind that if we are not moving 'forward' in our walk with Christ, it's simply not good enough!
This may sound harsh, and believe me, I've been a failure in this regard in my journey at times! But I am convinced it's the truth. We need to be continuously and unceasingly growing in the spirit, even as we diminish in the flesh. Otherwise we are in danger of falling back into whatever sin the enemy wants to lure us with.
All the blessings of Jesus to everyone in our glorious Church!
I believe you had written this, thus revealing what you actually believe, and you Carl agreed with her.
The call of Christ is for Christian believers to be DISCIPLES... Following Jesus and quoting Scriptures DOES NOT make you a true "Disciple" of Jesus Christ, nor is it merely a way to improve our lives. Following Jesus Christ as one of His DISCIPLES means SUBMITTING our will and ways to Him, and receiving His WILL and WAYS as a NEW CREATION IN HIM, thus we stop being a WANNABE CHRISTIAN DISCIPLES.
Let us look at what is called the GREAT COMMISSION, and see what Messiah had said to His
Sent ones / Apostles.
Mat 28:18
And having come near, Jesus spake to them, saying, 'Given to me was all authority in heaven and on earth;
Mat 28:19
having gone, then, disciple all the nations, (baptizing them -- to the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20
teaching them to observe all, whatever I did command you,) and lo, I am with you all the days -- till the full end of the age.'
The English word 'Disciple' in verse 19 does not mean to live a disciplined life.
Strong's Concordance
math�teu�: to be a disciple, to make a disciple
Original Word: μαθητεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: math�teu�
Phonetic Spelling: (math-ayt-yoo'-o)
Short Definition: I make disciples, make into disciples
Definition: I make a disciple of, train in discipleship; pass: I am trained, discipled, instructed.
HELPS Word-studies
Cognate: 3100 mathēte�ō (from 3101 /mathētḗs, "disciple") � to disciple, i.e. helping someone to progressively learn the Word of God to become a matured, growing disciple (literally, "a learner," a true Christ-follower); to train (develop) in the truths of Scripture and the lifestyle required, i.e. helping a believer learn to be a disciple of Christ in belief and practice. See 3101 (mathētēs).
A disciple is one which is a learner of who Messiah is, and know what He is like.
One which studies His life, character, attitude, personality,to know Yeshua and His relationship with the Father, and others.
It is impossible to worship Messiah, and to be a Witness OF Him, without knowing Who He is and to know what He is like.
Shalom
Phl 3:10
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
With all the love I can show, you won't even answer my question about whether you believe Jesus conquered death and still lives, or any of my other questions; so why should I entertain any of your translation nonsense?
Actually, you seem to have another Gospel, and...
Ga 1:5-7
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
I will quote John the Baptist for you my Brother, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.(Mt 3:2)
GEORGEPosted: Let us look at what is called the GREAT COMMISSION, and see what Messiah had said to His Sent ones / Apostles.
Mat 28:18 And having come near, Jesus spake to them, saying, 'Given to me was all authority in heaven and on earth;
Mat 28:19 having gone, then, disciple all the nations, (baptizing them -- to the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all, whatever I did command you,) and lo, I am with you all the days -- till the full end of the age.'
The English word 'Disciple' in verse 19 does not mean to live a disciplined life.
Strong's Concordance - math�teu�: to be a disciple, to make a disciple
Original Word: μαθητεύω
Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: math�teu�
Phonetic Spelling: (math-ayt-yoo'-o)
Short Definition: I make disciples, make into disciples
Definition: I make a disciple of, train in discipleship; pass: I am trained, discipled, instructed.
HELPS Word-studies
Cognate: 3100 mathēte�ō (from 3101 /mathētḗs, "disciple") � to disciple, i.e. helping someone to progressively learn the Word of God to become a matured, growing disciple (literally, "a learner," a true Christ-follower); to train (develop) in the truths of Scripture and the lifestyle required, i.e. helping a believer learn to be a disciple of Christ in belief and practice. See 3101 (mathētēs).
A disciple is one which is a learner of who Messiah is, and know what He is like.
One which studies His life, character, attitude, personality,to know Yeshua and His relationship with the Father, and others.
It is impossible to worship Messiah, and to be a Witness OF Him, without knowing Who He is and to know what He is like.
Shalom
Phl 3:10 - That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
What does the word 'KNOW' here mean.
GEORGE, sweetheart, what DOES ALL THIS YOU HAVE POSTED MEAN???:goofball::excited:... if YOU can't comprehend the meaning of the word SURRENDER, HOW IN THE WORLD ARE YOU GOING TO UNDERSTAND AND/OR "KNOW" THE MEANING OF WHO JESUS REALLY IS?... YOU DON'T "KNOW" THAT YOU CAN'T COME TO "KNOW" JESUS in a personal committed intimate relationship UNLESS YOU SURRENDER TO HIM YOUR WHOLE BEING UNDER HIS AUTHORITY. You contradict your own self, you claim you follow Jesus, BUT you are not following Jesus, if you have not SURRENDERED (given-up the wrong things in your live,for the right things found pleasing to Christ) YOUR LIFE TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY TO HIM, just as JESUS SURRENDERED HIS LIFE TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY TO GOD,
STOP YOUR SENSELESS MESS AND STOP ASKING FOOLISH QUESTIONS AND START ANSWERING QUESTIONS FOR YOUR LEARNING... PLUS, you missed the whole spiritual point of what I posted... figure it out for yourself since you refuse to heed what anyone is trying to explain to you. I shake the dust from my feet and wash my hands against you, you and the Lord handle it!
Many people look for a Savior but refuse to accept Jesus because He is NOT what they expect.
We as Christian believers MUST NOT spend all our time on hard-hearted people but MUST move on to those who are more open to RECEIVE THE GOSPEL BY FAITH TO BELIEVE WITH TEACHABLE SPIRITS.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ was given to the Jews first, but they still have need to hear its Truths today. Even human wisdom can reason out that all things come from God. And people can be very religious without ever knowing God's Word of truth correctly. But we should be very concerned about understanding God's Word correctly for ourselves.
CARL, YOU are so blessed of God with such spiritual insights into His Holy Word :glow: May God always be with and in you with His truth. I love the manner by which you articulate God's truths in soundness...... THANK YOU!.. continue in your studying, reading and communicating the truth in all things.
