This is it. I know a couple of “Christians” who believe in Christ's glory — they readily accept his death & resurrection and the implications — and are still involved in the life, even committing the odd armed robbery. Now, this is where I say that faith alone is not enough; you have to live in Christ.ageofknowledge wrote: The problem I think comes when new believers are not discipled properly. It takes time to shed ingrained behaviors, addictions, responses, etc... and many simply don't realize they are in a spiritual war. A real one. So yes you can end up with a born again Christian who is still involved with old behaviors and associates that aren't going anywhere good fast. The difference is that now God is also involved in their life in important ways he wasn't before. Complicating the discussion is the Sower and the Seeds found in Matthew 13:1-23. Consider it. .
I can totally accept what you say: two steps forward, one step back is what I've been doing for a long time. But no steps forward, and thus no steps back (stagnant villains) while believing in Christ is something that surely cannot be right?ageofknowledge wrote: Professing Christ and possessing Christ are two different things. If you really have been born of God and possess Christ, you may be an ignorant, struggling, backsliding, no good pot smoking porno watching drunken you know what at times but you'll have a God breathed desire to repent of it afterwards, have a Holy Spirit desire to defend Christ, and progress spiritually even if it's two steps forward one step back another step back three steps forward. Being properly discipled takes you from this place to where you need to be saving a new believer countless years of regret and learning the hardway, countless mistakes and offenses, and gains them a great deal of good. Unfortunately one on one and group discipleship isn't practiced much anymore in our churches. They throw the word around and come up with some Bible study courses and sermon series around it but that's as far as it goes. .
You're right, Age. You've got the right idea. But it's hard encouraging friends who you used to run with to repent and really accept Christ. I mean *really* accept Christ: living your life in Him. I found my way on my own; if someone e came up to me ¾ years ago and talked like me now I'd have dismissed them. I always believed, but I never *lived* like a true believer. I wish I could talk to some of my old friends about this without them thinking I'm a jerk, you know?ageofknowledge wrote: Which is why I alway advocate new believers to go through a Celebrate Recovery or some other Christian 12 step program. Because its one of the few places they can find mentorship, accountability, and discipleship in the church in a real way even if they are addiction free. There is a lot more to these programs than seeing people end addiction. I hope that answers your question. Peace.
Dan
. No need to peacock.
