Why Are You a Christian?

[Amanah]

Well, I don't blame others for not wanting to answer in a post as it's much easier to point out where someone falls short then to give an account of yourself.

I know that God is able to make me stand, I stand by faith in Jesus and he will perfect me.

So even if my reasons for living for him are not perfect, I still stand by faith, as I have the Holy Ghost as the earnest of my inheritance and God will perfect that which is lacking in me.

That having been said. I find that living by the principles in God's Word is what makes my life meaningfull and sane.

And I guess I will have to be done with this thread as it seems I'm to emotional about it, making it pointless for me to continue.

[Aquila]

Amanah, none of this is an attack on you. We’re just expanding on your post. God bless you and please stay in the conversation.

I’ll try to clarify my thoughts…

Originally Posted by Amanah

There is nothing wrong with wanting to live by the principle of God's word. I suppose you are going to live by demonic principles?

We are not called to “live by principles” but rather we are called to “walk after the Spirit”.

What is the purpose of the bible if not to give us principles to live by?

I think that is an excellent question. It is an excellent question because it reveals a common misconception that has been drilled into us. You see… if the Bible’s purpose is to give us “principles to live by”… it is basically just a rule book (a Law). This is what many of us commonly call a “legalistic mindset” regarding the purpose of the Bible. Let’s take the purpose of the Bible a bit beyond being a rule book of principles. I believe that the Bible’s purpose is primarily to reveal a person… Jesus. Why? Because Jesus is our Redeemer and it is the Father’s will that we be fashioned, or conformed, into His image and likeness and that His mind is to be found in us. Now, there are “principles” that can be found in the Scriptures, that I too believe. However, it gets way down into the nitty-gritty when we examine the originating motivation for living by those principles. You see… if we live by those principles because we want to “live by the Bible’s principles”, then all we’ve done is choose a set of rules to live by. While that’s ethically good, and biblical principles will not lead us wrong, they do not change us, save us, or renew us. However, if we have the Holy Ghost and we have been regenerated by our union with God through the Spirit, living by those principles becomes a natural desire. For example, you don’t have to teach a fish to swim. A fish doesn’t focus on the principles of swimming… they swim because it is in their nature to do so. Swimming is therefore a “fruit” resulting from their nature. An apple tree doesn’t strive to live by the principles of bearing apples. It bears apples because of its innate nature. Let’s look at the Ten Commandments. Many “strive” to live by them. But the born again Christian finds the peace of living by them second nature. We actually desire to do the things God desires of us. We sink into deep conviction, depression, shame, and guilt if we don’t. Why? It is because we are not acting in accordance to the new nature of the “inner man”. In fact, if you feel VERY convicted, uncomfortable, depressed, shameful, or guilty about sin… it’s a good sign. It clearly demonstrates that you have a new nature that’s troubled by the inconsistent behavior. Oh, Christians do sin. However, a Christian who willingly engages in a lifestyle of sin is a fish out of water. They will hit rock bottom with deep emotional, psychological, and spiritual problems. Some can be driving to suicide.

The “principles” of scripture are essentially examples of the life of Christ being lived out. They are not stand alone principles or rules. If we are filled with the Spirit of Christ, allowing our very character and being to be conformed into the image of Christ, and taking on the mind of Christ… the “principles” don’t need to be abided by… they will naturally be lived out.

For example, a Christian shouldn’t say, “Is it wrong to steal? Because if it’s wrong to steal I will not steal.” A Christian should say, “Would Christ in me steal? If not, I will surrender my will and allow Jesus to live through me in this temptation to steal.”

You see… it’s not about “being a better person”. God hates our persons. We are vile in His sight, even at our best. God desires that we, in our entirety, be reckoned crucified with Christ that Christ might live in us. A “better you” isn’t good enough, because it’s still just “you”. So living by biblical principles isn’t enough. Allowing those principles to be lived out through us… now that is part of allowing the life of Christ Himself to be lived out through us.

One more thing, notice that your post doesn’t even include the name of Jesus. Now, I would never doubt your salvation or love for Christ, and I don’t. However, this fact illustrates my point wonderfully. If we look at the Bible like a rule book… we begin to focus on the rules (or principles) and we loose sight of the very person the Bible is designed to reveal… Jesus. The fact of the matter is… it all begins and ends in Him. Our being one with Him and being conformed into His image.

Consider this…

Those who live by Biblical principles as defined by the Catholic Church are being conformed into the image of… the Catholic Church.

Those who live by Biblical principles as defined by the Methodist Church are being conformed into the image of… the Methodist Church.

Those who live by Biblical principles as defined by the Baptist Church are being conformed into the image of… the Baptist Church.

Those who live by Biblical principles as defined by the Presbyterian Church are being conformed into the image of… the Presbyterian Church.

Those who live by Biblical principles as defined by the United Pentecostal Church are being conformed into the image of… the United Pentecostal Church.

Please note… none of them are being conformed into the image of Jesus as long as their focus is “living by the principles” as defined by their church. They will die as good Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, and United Pentecostals… but they will not stand before God fashioned in Christ’s image. This is the spiritual blood poison of legalism… it’s an invisible idolatry. The worship of rules and principles to the exclusion of Christ's life indwelling us.

However, those Christians who seek one thing, and one thing alone… Jesus… and seek to allow HIM to live in them and through them by the Spirit… these are the ones who will be found conformed into Christ’s image when they die and stand before the Lord.

Ah, the way is VERY narrow. The way is Jesus. The truth is Jesus. The door is Jesus. The life is Jesus. What are our “standards”? All that pertains to the person of Jesus Himself. He alone is our standard. This single governing truth will bring spiritual balance and harmony. Now…instead of trying to live by principles to be a “good Christian” or to be a “better person”… we are now surrendering to allow ourselves to be a living expression of Jesus Himself… those principles are then lived out as “fruit” of this central truth.

Timothy:

14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Amen. However, never forget…. We are but vines… Jesus is the branch. Without Him… we can do nothing.

[Aquila]

With regards to the question asking “why I am a Christian”….

I’ve given it some thought and it’s a most powerful question. I have to resolve myself to saying, “I don’t know.” After meditating on the question the best answer I can provide is that I’m a Christian because God chose me before time began in accordance to His love and grace that Christ be formed and revealed in me. Why me? I don’t know. I know that I don’t deserve it. Even today there are times when I am least deserving of this grace.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IQUX...eature=related

[Amanah]

Aquila, please give a more explicit answer so I can poke holes in it.

When I answered the question, I was not explaining how to be saved. And my answer was not excluding my love for Jesus, my relationship with Jesus, ect.

But when I don't FEEL the love, or dont FEEL connected, I always find it compeling that living the life of a Christian is the best way a person can live their life, regardless.

Living the life of a Christian, loving God, means keeping his commandments, loving one another, it does mean reading your bible and being molded by its precepts.

And no, we can not do this on our own, we are dependant on Christ to perfect his life in us, according to his word.

I suppose your reasons are more ethereal and lofty and spiritual in your opinion, but I think to say that being a Christian with all it entails, is the best possible life.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Amanah

Aquila, please give a more explicit answer so I can poke holes in it.

When I answered the question, I was not explaining how to be saved. And my answer was not excluding my love for Jesus, my relationship with Jesus, ect.

But when I don't FEEL the love, or dont FEEL connected, I always find it compeling that living the life of a Christian is the best way a person can live their life, regardless.

Living the life of a Christian, loving God, means keeping his commandments, loving one another, it does mean reading your bible and being molded by its precepts.

And no, we can not do this on our own, we are dependant on Christ to perfect his life in us, according to his word.

I suppose your reasons are more ethereal and lofty and spiritual in your opinion, but I think to say that being a Christian with all it entails, is the best possible life.

Amanah,

I think we are basically in agreement. However, I suggest you read a book titled Grace Walk and perhaps Grace Rules.

[TGBTG]

"Why am I a Christian?"

I never chose to be a Christian. In fact, I was living my own life (full of sin and especially hypocrisy) until God saved me. I grew up in a christian home, had head knowledge of the bible, but wasn't saved. I had one behavior in school (attended a boarding school), and another at home.

God allowed me (looking back in retrospect) hit rock bottom in my sinful life. Sin had me as its slave. What started as "pleasure" now held me in bondage.

Fast forward to college years, I was still living in my sin. I have to say though, I had some type of conviction. This was prolly due to growing up in a xtian home.

Anyhow, when I hit rock bottom, I desperately needed help. Being that I grew up in a religious setting, I easily found my way to church (at least I remembered "whosoever shall call on the Lord shall be saved"). I wanted to be saved from my addiction. (Maybe not necessarily wanting to totally surrender to Jesus, lol). All I wanted was to be saved from addiction.

Anyhow, I started attending this particular church. While attending this church, I became convicted of my hypocritical life. So one Sunday, when I could no longer bear it, I called the pastor after service and I shared with him how I was living in sin even though I now attended church.

He prayed with me that sunday afternoon. I felt really light (like a burden was lifted off of me that day). I went home overjoyed. The next morning, I woke up with joy. I was just full of joy.

Anyhow, two weeks later at church, the pastor was about to preach his sermon. While we were worshipping, just as the pastor was about to pray and begin his sermon, he said he felt led to call out to the front of the church anybody who has not received the "baptism of the HolyGhost with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues" (I'm not trying to start an argument. Just stating the facts as they occurred in my life).

I went to the front of the church (some other guy came out too). So the pastor laid his hands on me and anointed me with oil in the sign of the cross (oh yeah, it was a trinitarian church, not trying to argue, just stating the facts).

So we continued singing worship songs as I stood in front of the church. The pastor began speaking in tongues. Then he said something to the effect "you may not know what you're saying, but just speak."

In my mind, I was thinking, how can I just speak. Having grown up in a Christian home, even though I was living in my sin, I had always a certain fear never to even try to imitate speaking in tongues. You see, most Christian folks I knew growing up who spoke in tongues, I saw them as extremely powerful Christians. So I believed speaking in tongues was for really holy Christians. Since I wasn't holy, I wasn't even expecting to receive anything from God.

[TGBTG]

Continuing...

Anyway, back to me standing in front of the church with the fear of "I will never try to imitate speaking in tongues" going through my mind. After a while, I kind of stopped focusing on the thoughts in my mind and more on the worship (we were singing worship songs). So we kept worshipping. My eyes were closed. All of a sudden, I could feel a warm feeling. I saw like a fire coming over me and into me. Although my eyes were closed, I could see/feel this fire. Simultaneously, the words began to flow. It was as if I was hearing the words in my soul (or should I say spirit). I just began to utter the words as they came into my soul. The more I spoke, the more I was engulfed in this fire. Before I knew what was occurring, I was speaking in clear tongues as the Spirit gave utterance (of course, I only quote this scripture now, back then I did not know what was occurring).

My, I felt this immense boldness in me right there and then. The joy was so much more (compared to what I had experienced two Sundays before). I remember jumping about in the church 'cause the joy in me was just too much.

I felt so much love in my heart, it was incredible. I remember going to work that Sunday afternoon with so much joy. Then I began to tell my co-workers about Jesus. The boldness was just there. I talked about Jesus so much, I couldn't even help it…lol
I remember the Monday after I received the HolyGhost, I woke up earlier than usual just to pray. This desire to pray was just there. I took my bible with me everywhere. In school, during my break periods, I would just be reading the bible. The bible now had meaning to me.

I remember my facebook and yahoo account were both hacked just a couple of days after receiving the HolyGhost. So I got a new fbook and email account. It was like God was giving me a new beginning cos boy, I sure do not want to see the things in my previous fbook and email accounts…lol

Anyway, from then on, this journey with Jesus has been so sweet. In fact, it gets sweeter as the days go by.

So looking back on how God saved me, I don't know if I can say I chose to be a Christian, but I can say truly, the "goodness of God led me to repentance." I am washed in his blood. He filled me with the HolyGhost. He saved me not for anything I did. He saved me just based on his righteousness. Now, I know beyond every shadow of doubt that I have eternal life. Praise be to Jesus.

(In retrospect, I now understand what Jesus meant in John 7:37. Truly, it's like water out my belly)

Oh I almost forgot, my addiction was taken away that Sunday I received the HolyGhost. Honestly, at first, I couldn't believe it was taken away. Where had the desire gone to I wondered? All I know is that it was no longer there. And up till today, I am standing in Christ by the grace of God.

[TGBTG]

Continuing...

So why do I remain a Christian and not go back? Just a few off the top of my head

1.Well, first of all, I can’t go back even if I tried. The desire to sin is gone. I can't find it. Don't get me wrong, my flesh has been tempted, but the desire I had before my salvation is not there. So I can’t even "enjoy" the things I used to do. This was actually one of the first things I realized after my salvation. My desire to the addiction was gone. I remember trying to go back to try it, and discovered to my amazement that I just don't have the desire. I went to a club once after getting saved 'cause I was "bored". I did not feel at home there at all. I was telling the guy I went with "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners…" So the guy was like, let's just go home. He wasn't feeling comfy either since I was just quoting scriptures while in there…lol
The world no longer appeals to me. So what else can I do than to live for Jesus…lol?

(I think it's funny that I wanted God to deliver me, and then when he did, I still doubted. Oh well, he knows I am just dust..lol)

2. I love Jesus. I have failed him even after he saved me, but every time I ask him to forgive me, he does. I love Jesus because he first loved me and purchased my salvation while I was still wallowing in my sin. Am I perfect? Not yet. Do I know all about Jesus? Not yet. But I long to know him more. To know the fellowship of his suffering and the power of his resurrection. To be conformed to his death.

3. I love my journey with/in Christ. It's the best thing that ever happened to me. If I had another life to live, I would choose to live it for Jesus. Only this time, I'd rather start living for him at an earlier age.


I long to see my Savior
Oh what blessed day that would be
When all the bickering of the world would go
When all the worldly distractions would be gone
And I shall see my Savior face to face
Even Jesus my Lord and my God.

[onefaith2]

What a powerful testimony of a true conversion!

[Aquila]

Absolutely beautiful TGBTG. Praise God.