Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Can A Christian disown Christ? | Matt 10:33 | Sir Pent | 15952 | ||
I know that the answer is "yes". Can I prove this to you at all? No. So how do I know? I know because I have done it. This is not something that I am proud of, and by sharing from my own life, I realize that I open up myself for critique as opposed to just a theoretical idea. However, it is extremely relevant to this post, and perhaps will be helpful for someone, and is therefore worth the risk. I became a Christian when I was a very small child, after talking with my mother. I realized that even though I was a child and was relatively innocent in the eyes of the world, that I was still a sinner in the eyes of God. I also realized that I could not change on my own, but needed God's help. I asked Jesus to come into my heart, and felt an overwhelming sense of peace and forgiveness. I was a different person after that, my life was changed. As I grew up as a child, I quickly learned much ABOUT God. I memorized all the Bible stories, the Apostle?s Creed, etc. I also began to get to KNOW God, by spending time with Him in prayer, and developing a relationship with Him. However, as with many children, I lacked confidence in my salvation. It seemed like every time there was a revival service, or sermon that particularly spoke to me, that I would make another trip to the alter. There I would once again ask God to forgive me on all my past sins (you know, just in case). Finally, when I was almost 11 yrs old, I remember making the last of this kind of trip. Dr. David Seamands had preached a revival service, and I went forward and prayed like all the times before. But this time, God told me (not audibly, but He let me know) that I didn't need to keep doing that anymore. God helped me to realize that I could trust in Him to be faithful to that which He'd committed, me. It was at that point that I was confident of my salvation, because of my confidence in God, and our love for each other. Things continued like this throughout the next five years or so. In fact, one member of this forum spent much time with me at this point in my life, before they moved away. They could attest that I was most deffinately a Christian. But then a drastic change occurred just before my 16th birthday. The catalyst was a Star Trek (I'm still a big fan despite the tragic outcome at this particular time of my past) episode that I saw. It's a long story, but suffice it to say that after a lot of thought and turmoil, I concluded that Christianity was a fraud. For a period of several months, I completely rejected Christianity, and Christ Himself. In fact for a time, I even denied the existence of God at all. This was not just a backsliding, or a period of doubting. I was in a state of complete apostasy. If I died at that point, I know that I would have gone to Hell. Thankfully, God was merciful, and He allowed me to live through that time. Once again I must skip the long story of how I came back to Christianity. However, the end result was that I once again truly believed with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Since that time (nearly a decade ago now), I have remained committed to my relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and I know that the Holy Spirit is in my life, leading me to follow in God?s will. I trust in Jesus as my Saviour (from all of my sin and sins) and my Lord (for my life is not my own, but His to control), and I know that I will spend eternity with Him in Heaven. This is my testimony. This is how I know that a Christian can deny Christ, because I've done it. But praise God that He is merciful, patient, and full of love! I owe my life to Him. For once I was lost, and then I was found, and then I was lost, and now I am found again. Praise His Name forever! |
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2 | Can A Christian disown Christ? | Matt 10:33 | Makarios | 16005 | ||
Dear Sir Pent, I thank you for posting your most stirring testimony and for filling in some of the gaps for me! This was indeed a joy to read after a day such as this, my friend! Yes! I can and will attest that you were and are most definitely a Spirit filled Christian!! :) And I am honored and just ecstatic to know that I can fellowship with you here on a daily basis about Biblical issues! Little did you know back then, when we were at that young age together, you were an inspiration to me! But I simply wasn't ready yet to take the "plunge", if you know what I mean, and I am sure that you do. :) I just didn't realize at that time that you had to throw your whole body, soul, and spirit into this thing called "Christianity" and let Christ claim your whole being.. But the Lord revealed that to me during my journey with Him, and I have no regrets, although I do wish that my family never moved away from yours, my friend!! We could have been excellent together, sharpening each other in the faith! But our Lord meant for us to take slightly different paths, having both paths arrive at the exact same desired end- to be truly and wholeheartely saved with every confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ! You are the greatest of all my childhood friends and you and your family will never be forgotten as long as I continue to live. I also remember some of our mutual friends who have also taken different paths, some of which were Jeremy, Eric and Byron. However, I am convinced that you were the one who knew me best! I sincerely cannot picture you as an atheist, and I am sorry that I could not have been more of an inspiration to you during this time in your life. But I praise the Lord that He led you back and into a "fuller" understanding of Him! Each person must take a different path, no one takes the same path in their spiritual journey.. You continue to be a source of inspiration for me, and I pray that I may also be to you, my dear friend. You are responsible for recently "re-igniting" my enthusiasm for this Forum, since I was at a "low point" when you joined us, and I pray that we could continue to grow together again and enjoy the inspiration of each other! I love you and all of your family, and I keep you all in my prayers. Your Brother in Christ and forever friend, Nolan E. Keck P.S. Oh by the way, I still like Star Trek also.. :-) |
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3 | Can A Christian disown Christ? | Matt 10:33 | Sir Pent | 16035 | ||
Dear Nolan, I am sincerely both humbled and honored by your preceeding post. I too count it a great privaledge to be able to spend time together on this forum after so many years of seperation. I also am very encouraged that we are both of one heart and mind in regards to using this as an opportunity to advance the kingdom of God. You mention the different paths which people take. I want to let you know how thankful and proud I am of you for letting God direct the path that you have taken. As I think back, I remember several friends who have instead taken control of their own journey, and have gotten lost. Some of them were once strong Christians, and it is a source of deep sadness for me. And yet, it brings me incredible joy that you continue to run the race before you. I know that there has been hardship, and pain at times in your life, and this could have driven you away from your faith. However, I have observed that instead it has caused your relationship with God to grow and strengthen. Since we are on the subject of Star Trek, let me close by quoting a line said by Spock in the second movie. "You have been, and always will be, my friend." |
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4 | Can A Christian disown Christ? | Matt 10:33 | New Creature | 116461 | ||
Sir Pent; I just would like to thank both you and Nolan, for this beautiful exchange in dialoge. I would also like to thank you for awakening us to the dangers of becoming lukewarm, backslidding, apostasy or what ever it was that you experienced. It May be very possible that you were at the brink of full apostasy, from which there is no return. Thank you again for sharing with this forum. God bless and keep you New Creature |
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