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RE: The Ideal..... - 6/23/2008 12:15:41 AM
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LCannon
Posts: 1271
Joined: 2/22/2007
From: Lebanon, OR
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A true saint of Jehovah looks like James 1:22-"...be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing. 26 If any one thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is vain. 27 [True]Religion is pure and undefiled before [the Eternal God, His Son as the God of Redemption and His Holy Spirit of Conviction]and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction[, comfort and help]and to keep oneself unstained from the world."
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"Many of our prayers are for an easy solution. God is more glorifed in Him
when souls exhibit His Grace under pressure." -Elisabeth Elliot-
"But at my stumbling they gathered in glee...[but]How long, O Lord,
wilt thou look on?" -Psalms 35:15-
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RE: The Ideal..... - 6/23/2008 7:18:08 AM
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Giulia
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Joined: 9/29/2005
From: Giulia
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For me a true Christian is one who is Christian in the heart. Sometimes that doesn't look like "normal Christians" do at all. It is a transformation of the heart which gives the timid and weak boldness and strength. It is a light within which lights up the face of a mourner. It is the acceptance a person rejected by the world feels which tells them they no longer have to seek the approval of man because He will be the one giving the praises from now on.
Sometimes this light within which purifies takes some time to seep through the whole being. The person may still have traits of a non-christian and may even be rejected by the church. It usually happens that way because no servat is greater than his master and Jesus went through rejection and so will we. Even by the church, in some cases.
A true Christian doesn't look like anything because a true Christian is way more than any set of traits or marks which many would attribute to a christian. A true Christian cannot put it on or learn the way they should be because they have been planted and God will do the changing in His time and His terms.
I have met "christians" who put on all the traits of a "christian" but have not got Christ in their hearts and some of those are worse than the devil. Scary but true. We are told to "put on Christ daily" but if you haven't first been granfted onto the vine via the new birth it will be futile to try this and if they do try it will just be pretending and not true.
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Captured by His love. Justified by His grace.
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RE: The Ideal..... - 6/23/2008 10:36:37 AM
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SonInMe1
Posts: 3572
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: my mom by God
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Trying to find what is "ideal" about christians is impossible since there are more than one kind.
The immature.
The new christian.
The poorly discipled christian.
The poorly taught christian.
The sincere but wrong christian.
A mature christian.
Its not an either or situation. A new christian is just as saved as the seasoned saint however he might exhibit different charactoristics...for a time.
Some have been raised christian before they even knew who Jesus was.
Some came late without a clue who Jesus was growing up and have a bunch of baggage.
There might not be an ideal christian but there is a standard.
Fruits of the spirit.
Spiritual gifts.
Other centered.
Generosity.
...and the number one trait of all christians worldwide is....being kind to me. Its somewhere in the bible....somewhere.
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: The Ideal..... - 6/23/2008 11:50:40 AM
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deliveredarling
Posts: 1725
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A true Christian can look like many things. The mold being Jesus Christ. I guess the real answer lies in how we behave when no one is looking. Are our desire still the same when we have only One watching? We see many who are noble. We see many who have special giftings that make us think they have a secret line tapped straight to God. If our light shines before men, we will know who is true and who is false. He always reveals what is in the dark. we know His voice and respond to it.
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
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RE: The Ideal..... - 6/23/2008 11:56:53 AM
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mvic
Posts: 1055
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I'll always be kind to you SoninMe; because it says in the Bible "love thy neighbour". Although my real next door neighbour insists on parking his car infront of my drive and blocks me in. This makes it difficult for me to love him as Jesus asked. So I suppose I am not the ideal Christian.
Back to topic: the ideal Christian in my mind is someone who is like Christ Himself. I've only known one such person.
He was always, kind, calm, serene and at peace with himself and the world. He never ever lost his temper or raised his voice; even though he had many reasons to. He was always forgiving, even though he was hurt badly by others many times.
How did he do this I don't know. The Holy Spirit helped him perhaps.
_____________________________
http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
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RE: The Ideal..... - 6/23/2008 1:15:06 PM
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Little_1
Posts: 945
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I don't know what they'd look like physically but spiritually - they would be mature.
_____________________________
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
ROMANS 12:12
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RE: The Ideal..... - 6/23/2008 1:16:57 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1424
Joined: 1/22/2008
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quote:
...and the number one trait of all christians worldwide is....being kind to me. Its somewhere in the bible....somewhere.
You're absolutely right! It's called love. Love one another. Jesus said it more than once. It's very important. . . that we love you. . . and ALL of our brothers and sisters. (Hope that doesn't burst your bubble but I did just lump you together with others.  )
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RE: The Ideal..... - 6/23/2008 1:59:17 PM
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URForgiven
Posts: 788
Joined: 3/22/2008
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If Jesus is our example, if He is the ideal, then if we honestly compare ourselves to Him...we all fall short of the ideal. This is our common bond as Christians. It is not so much who is a 'real' Christian, as it is, are you being a Christian who is real?
Peace
_____________________________
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: The Ideal..... - 6/23/2008 3:39:04 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1424
Joined: 1/22/2008
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quote:
It is not so much who is a 'real' Christian, as it is, are you being a Christian who is real?
Oh I like this, URForgiven! Excellent distinction. And real requires honesty, truthfulness. His pathways are in the hearts of those who are real, honest, truthful with Him and with others. Thank you for this---it so goes with what He was teaching/talking to me about this morning. Bless you! 
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RE: The Ideal..... - 6/23/2008 3:52:05 PM
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pstrdebi
Posts: 597
Joined: 4/28/2008
From: So. Oregon, by way of So. Cal.
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Hi LL...
quote:
ORIGINAL: Liveloved
That said though, I think one of the goals of the Christlife is to get over what annoys us. Most of that is flesh coming against flesh---so our being annoyed shows just how fleshly we are and how unlike Christ we are.
I understand what you are saying, however, Christ was annoyed too. Remember, He lifted His hands and said to His disciples; "How long must I put up with you stiff-necked people?" Even when we are annoyed or angry (as long as we don't sin in that annoyance or anger) we still can be like Jesus. He experienced all of the same things we do, yet without sin. That is the part we need to be truly concerned with... not sinning in it. 
quote:
And it's about loving others and believing FOR them. Oh, I am talking about something that is SO very difficult. It is much easier to condemn and judge and put them down and give up on them. (And I am very much speaking to myself now. I have a friend who I think I've given up on.  And I'm calling that sin.)
LL... condemning, no. But judging... Jesus tells us to judge our "brethren." And you shouldn't call this sin (giving up on them) I don't believe in your heart you have given up (what little I know of you, you don't appear to be that way) but Jesus tells us a number of times in different ways that our job (our part of the process in that person)is through. I'll point out 3. 1st... He tells us in not to cast our pearls before swine. This is someone who doesn't want to listen to you... your "pearls" are holy and shouldn't be trampled underfoot. 2nd... He tells us that if the person continues to turn from the Word, He will turn them over to the tormentor that they may come to repentance. And He also tells us some plant, some water, some harvest. I'm not sure where your friend is or what catagory, if any, they fall into... But God has heard your prayers... and He will be faithful to answer. Your prayers will not fall to the ground, and they do not fall on deaf ears. It just may be that someone else needs to do the cultivating from here on out.
quote:
so I am continuing to learn His ways and give up mine.
We will be doing this until the rapture!
(yes... I'm pre-trib... yes... I believe we will see the rapture in this genertion!)
_____________________________
"For in Him we live and move and have our being..." Acts 17:28a
http://www.therockfellowship.org
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RE: The Ideal..... - 6/23/2008 4:11:13 PM
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mvic
Posts: 1055
Joined: 1/17/2008
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Hi pstrdebi,
Could you please explain what is "pre-trib"? Thanx.
Also, you say we will see the rapture in this generation. Do you mean the end of the world will be in the next 20 to 30 years?
Sorry if I'm going off-topic.
_____________________________
http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
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RE: The Ideal..... - 6/23/2008 6:15:57 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1424
Joined: 1/22/2008
Status: offline
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quote:
It just may be that someone else needs to do the cultivating from here on out.
That really is where I have left her---but I am judging my own attitude toward her. I have not lovingly left her. I have angrily left her, or impatiently left her. Yes, perhaps it is going to be someone else's work from now on.
And, yes, I agree that we are to judge. But I think we are too hard on others and easy on ourselves (in general).
I believe if the church lived and walked in repentance, confessing our sin rather than covering it up or denying it, we would have more power. Unbelievers see the incongruity and turn away.
So I ask the Lord to search MY heart each and every morning and show me anything He wants to deal with in me. I want to walk as a child of the Light.
Anyway, those are my thoughts. Blessings your way , LL
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