New Christian Confusion
Monday, September 8, 2008 at 03:58AM
Not long ago I ran across a comment on another blog (I don’t recall which one), from someone who seemed to believe that a person can confess Jesus as Lord and Savior and then continue life as before, no matter what sins or attitude that includes, with no worries about going to hell. The following was and is my response: "Many new Christians are puzzled when they don't experience a miraculous and immediate transformation along with their baptism. But accepting Christ as Lord is no more the end of one's faith journey than a wedding ceremony is the object of marriage. This is just the beginning of a new life in Christ. The newness has to be desired from within; that desire is evidence of change. But to build a changed life requires constant fortification with Bible study, prayer, and worship in order to draw closer to Jesus and become strong enough to withstand the tests that will come. Accepting God's forgiveness and making Christ Lord of your life are different; just as "believing in" God and having faith are different. The former is meaningless without the latter. When you make Christ Lord of your life, you are on your way to salvation, which is one of two possible fates when you die. If salvation was settled upon saying a few words, we wouldn't be instructed in Philippians 2:12 to work out our souls' salvation with fear and trembling. This in no way implies that a Christian should nervously fear any slip of the tongue or other infraction that could send him or her to hell. But remember that the road to heaven is narrow and straight. If you wander off or trip and fall, you can get up and back on the right way, but you'll never reach your hoped for destination if you just decide to leave the road Jesus mapped out and take some other road in a different direction instead."
Reader Comments (8)
Hi Diane, wanted to stop and let you know I "tagged" you...to play a game...if you choose. Stop by my site when you have a chance. I'm now following your blog! Blessings to you!!
In a way, it's an odd thing to think. Yet. How many times do I, a mature Christian, perhaps think the same way... betrayed by my actions?
I hate to admit it but what I find more often than not is when we get new converts in the Church today we have lost our mentorship, discipleship and more often in not without that accountability to the new convert they are confused, fall away quickly and are mislead into believing that the emotional experience is what being born again is all about. We have a responsibility to instruct, train, and protect our new converts today by and through discipleship. After all when we have a baby do we leave them on their own to fend for themselves. We should do the same for new members of our Faith.
Thanks,
Rev. J Wilson ( LOVE your posts and articles, keep writing !!!!!)
http://www.jimwilsonministries.com
Anytime you want to post an article on our website you are more than welcome.
God Bless !
Good article. I think your wedding analogy is good. I am constantly comparing the Christian life to marriage because I am finding there are so many similarities between the two. That should probably not be suprising since God instituted marriage.
You said: "If salvation was settled upon saying a few words, we wouldn't be instructed in Philippians 2:12 to work out our souls' salvation with fear and trembling." Wonderful!
I always thought that we were being called to be active in our faith: Faith without works is dead.
That to be deeply Christian we should also be working, by doing acts of charity and mercy.
I am a new reader of your blog but will be stopping back often.
Thank you Diane for your wonderfully warm comments on my blog
May God bless you
This is a good Post and I really enjoyed reading the responses to it. Within my walk with Christ, as I grew in him the more I let things drop away. It's sort-of-like loosing your taste buds and you no longer can taste sugar. The personal walk with him is the most important thing a Christian can develope. It is within and along that walk that others see/visualize Christ through you.
As far as being a babe-in-Christ? I hope I never grow up; because the power of growing within him is the most treasured thing a human being can experience I think. That's where Salvation comes from!!
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