Ponder On This....."RELATIONSHIP", not Religion!

[WISDOM]

I totally agree but you'll have a hard time convincing people who've been heavily indoctrinated to believe in the specific doctrine of their own denomination.

If people aren't careful, they buy into "religiosity" and legalism. They're more apt to conform to doctrines which place them in utter and complete bondage.

Cat:

that's why it is very important for Christians to establish a personal 24/7/365 relationship with their Heavenly FATHER.  

I never speak against any bro/sis' denomination (being non-denominational by choice).  However, I will say this....regardless what the title is, Baptist, Methodist, etc, if there is no personal lifeline between the Believer and our LORD,  where is the person going?  In what direction?  You grow in grace, knowledge and love by having that closeness with our FATHER.  Otherwise, as you noted, one can easily get wrapped up in every doctrinal "wind" blowing around here.

There has to be some sense of direction and spiritual growth that goes BEYOND the local assembly.  Some people spend their 1-2 hours Sunday in church and raise hell the rest of the week.  Where is the direction?  Where is the growth??  You have to have a personal relationship, which is NOT just by word and/or deed.  Otherwise, I agree with you about one becoming legalistic, or going to the complete opposite extreme, and doing absolutely nothing.

[Guest shilou]

Widom you are so correct. When I was first saved I did the old run all over to find the right church. What I discovered after a length of time and an aversion to all the judging according to different doctrines I was seeing that the best place to get any answers was on my knees. I wanted something in this material realm to grab onto and be led so to speak. This put me in bondage thinking I have to do this or that. I totally missed the concept of grace. Anyway over time and much prayer the Holy Spirit got me to a place where being kind, tolerant, and loving to others is becoming a natural part of who I am. Speaking openly about Christ has also become a natural part of who I am. What I didn't understand before now is easy in that the Spirit will lead if I only let Him. Going to church is great in that I get fed. But the people Christ wants to reach are for the most part in the street, at my place of work, in my family, and on the bus etc. Everyone around us has problems and the solution is life with Christ. I'm willing to bet each of us hear someone tell us something everyday where we can have the opportunity to say do you know Christ? I always say I don't know the answer to your dilema but I know someone who does. Sometimes people get mad at me, but thats ok maybe someday when things get worse they will wonder about it.

Thanks as always Wisdom

Love in Yeshua

Shilou

[For Him Alone]

Once again, Wisdom proves that the name fits.

Denominations are abominations, and only the Word of God can give peace. :thumb:

Religion? I hate it. Gives us Christians a bad name!

[WISDOM]

Hi Tarrier:

I'm sorry it took me so long to respond back to you this morn.

[traveller]

VERY nicely said WISDOM. Powerful.

:thumb:

[WISDOM]

Widom you are so correct. When I was first saved I did the old run all over to find the right church. What I discovered after a length of time and an aversion to all the judging according to different doctrines I was seeing that the best place to get any answers was on my knees. I wanted something in this material realm to grab onto and be led so to speak. This put me in bondage thinking I have to do this or that. I totally missed the concept of grace. Anyway over time and much prayer the Holy Spirit got me to a place where being kind, tolerant, and loving to others is becoming a natural part of who I am. Speaking openly about Christ has also become a natural part of who I am. What I didn't understand before now is easy in that the Spirit will lead if I only let Him. Going to church is great in that I get fed. But the people Christ wants to reach are for the most part in the street, at my place of work, in my family, and on the bus etc. Everyone around us has problems and the solution is life with Christ. I'm willing to bet each of us hear someone tell us something everyday where we can have the opportunity to say do you know Christ? I always say I don't know the answer to your dilema but I know someone who does. Sometimes people get mad at me, but thats ok maybe someday when things get worse they will wonder about it.

Thanks as always Wisdom

Love in Yeshua

Shilou

Thank you for your post Shilou!

I wholeheartedly agree with you.

[WISDOM]

VERY nicely said WISDOM. Powerful.

:thumb:

It's ALWAYS nice to receive kind words from my favorite Sis!

[OneAccord]

Here is an excellent website on 'relational christianity'

http://www.breakthrough-ministries.net/Rel...hristianity.htm

and another:

http://www.lifestream.org/LsPassion.html

This is an exciting and huge topic, Wisdom.  Enjoy exploring it!!!!

[WISDOM]

Religion? I hate it. Gives us Christians a bad name!

So true Sis, Ohhhhhh, so true!!

[Guest tarrier]

Dear Wisdom

I so appreciate your taking the time to explain this new relationship you have with the Lord to me.  I thank you for the examples you have given me, how your life has been changed for being 'yourself'.  

In my 'heart of hearts' (hmmmffff.... the heart is desperately wicked, who can know it.... LOL!) I have always been inclined to be myself, whereas those around me ~ the brethren, forever preach on who we should be and how we should be in Christ.  

I think I am going through that painful transition period you speak of, because I know 'me' and it doesn't measure up to 'how I should be'.  In all honesty, I feel that although other people like to be with me, and wouldn't even know I feel this way about myself, that I was a 'nicer' person (inwardly) BEFORE I became a Christian!  Phew!  What a confession eh....smile....

I do believe that those that you socialise with affect you.  I have become critical, judgemental, less tolerant and less social.  I 'owned' none of these characteristics BEFORE we began to attend the church we currently attend (over 5 years now) ~ it was quite the reverse.  Don't get me wrong, I am not 'blaming' my brethren, my church, for the change in me.  I always look to myself first.  I have no desire to DO the things I did, which I am grateful to the Lord for.  I am just concerned with the BEING a Christian.  

Tell me, Wisdom, if, by nature, you were impatient for example.  The Word says we are to be longsuffering.  Are you saying that instead of trying to change yourself to be longsuffering, that you should RATHER leave this aspect in the hands of the Holy Spirit, through prayer, to change you?  To continue on, not wrestling in your soul, not striving against your natural 'man', but to rest and trust solely in what the Lord can do?  Is this what you mean?  

Whoever said this topic was deep?  LOL......

Thanks for any and all help,

Tarrier