Results 1 - 2 of 2
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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 | charis | 16108 | ||
Dear Sir, I have an alternative interpretation of your 'experience.' Please note that I am not trying to 'take away' your experience, but bring it into Biblical perspective. Perhaps your 'salvation experience' did not take place at the age of a 'very small child.' You were 'brought up in a Christian home, and respected and honored the faith of your parents' might be a more accurate and Biblical statement. Honestly, regardless of their parents sincere desire to claim salvation at an incredibly young age, I do not think it is normal for the knowledge of mans deprivation to be truly understood before the teenage years. This also (just so happens) to be the age when we experience true rebellion against parents and God. Many parents fall into the trap of child-salvation. Sometimes this can lead to salvation, but often has the opposite effect, causing the person to feel 'deprived' or 'deceived' by over-zealous parents. Friend, that you came to (be known by) the Lord Jesus is wonderful. I am not so sure that it was a 'second chance' type of thing. Otherwise, you stand a 50-50 chance of losing it again, an endless gamble, hoping that you are on the 'right side' when the time comes to meet the Lord. It is almost as if God has given you to *fate.* You said, "For my life is not my own, but His to control." What could have been different the 'first time around?' This just does not make sense. Please know that I am in no way attempting to 'steal' your testimony. All that you spoke of the attributes of God are true! Most of all, I believe that 'He is able to keep me until that day!' (and not drop me every once in a while, or allow me to 'wander off at will') If you insist that you were saved as a very small child, then you must at least admit that He did not forsake you when you 'did your thing.' Please, do not mock 'Amazing Grace!' "I once was lost, then found, then lost...?" I don't think so, and you will have a very hard time backing that up Biblically. With Love in Christ Jesus, charis |
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