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What do you mean when you say you have a "personal relationship with Jesus?"
What does that look like in the day-to-day, mundane world?
If you respond, please provide specific details in your own words (no scripture).
Prayer, being aware of His presence, thinking of His will, instead of my own, KNOWING without a doubt that He is all good, knowing, and powerful- that He is in charge, always trustworthy, so I don't have to worry about figuring things out or getting my way.
Prayer, being aware of His presence, thinking of His will, instead of my own, KNOWING without a doubt that He is all good, knowing, and powerful- that He is in charge, always trustworthy, so I don't have to worry about figuring things out or getting my way.
Hey, that's big enough for it's own thread, Richard!!!!! Lol.. Very good question...I certainly know
the answer or answers, but I will put a sock in it. No one asked me.
I was expecting (or hoping for) people who say they "have a relationship with Jesus" to tell SPECIFICALLY how that manifests in their everyday life.
If you SAY you HAVE such a relationship, why can't you describe the relationship?
SIGH. You have probably left the thread, Nobody. Understandable. Just more arguing egos. I am struggling myself, as returning to my faith has left me feeling more guilty, and praying seems so fake to me. I do however, feel appreciative for the beauty of the world around me. The effect for me, is being "OK" with not understanding much of life, as how can we understand the mind of God, who created it? I am OK with not comprehending it all. Now, I feel guilty when I get judgy or critical of someone, when I never used to.
I'll tell you simply how my sister and brother-in-law lives are affected by their R with Jesus.
They are patient and kind to EVERYONE. They have TIME for everyone and shower everyone around them with love and giving. They give their time to all the old folks in the missionary retirement home they live in. Their whole life is about helping others. They are the humblest, least prideful people I have ever met; yet both are PhDs in linguistics. They translated the entire Bible into the Quechua language (descendants of the Incas), while living 40 years in the Peruvian Andes. They keep an extra car just to help out visiting missionaries, or other needy folks.
My sister donates her time to help some Vietnamese immigrants learn English and get jobs. When they hear of a need or problem, they stop whatever they are doing and pray right then and there. They do not judge anyone, but show love to everyone, including gays, etc., who are welcome in their church. Knowing they can turn to Jesus for help and support defines their lives.
What they don't do, is quote Scripture at every turn. Instead, they pattern their lives after how Jesus lived and that is why I have utmost respect for them. Showing love, caring for the sick, poor and disadvantaged.
As I write this, I realize plenty of non-Christians share many of these traits.
I'm sorry no one is answering you. I was thrilled when I discovered there was a Christianity forum as I wanted to share my doubts and questions, but sadly, it is just a place to argue this and that Bible verse.
Battling egos, though I'm sure some mean well---to doesn't appear that way.
What they don't do, is quote Scripture at every turn.
Instead, they pattern their lives after how Jesus lived and that is why I have utmost respect for them. Showing love, caring for the sick, poor and disadvantaged.
Protestant Christians are convinced they're on the inside track of God's approval and are rather smug about it.
Everybody else can go to hell as far as they're concerned. They have their ticket for paradise so why care?
Is that God's will?
Hell no, but nobody really REALLY cares.
Everybody has their own opinion and if it sounds good it's accepted by all the fools who've never bothered to study the Bible to find out.
In the end everybody dies.
Taps.
Lights out.
and everybody in church thinks their membership card will save them....
except it won't...
there's no such thing as a fireproof membership card....
but always remember...
nobody cares anyway....
smug prayers over the casket of the dead guy won't save him. It's too late for that.
but nobody cares as long as the prayers sound good.
What's the will of God?
It sure as hell can't be discovered in the pompous scribblings of pompous fools.
Which is why God is working in the dark these days. If people knew what He was doing, they'd argue with Him or take Him to court and crucify Him.
SIGH. You have probably left the thread, Nobody. Understandable. Just more arguing egos. I am struggling myself, as returning to my faith has left me feeling more guilty, and praying seems so fake to me. I do however, feel appreciative for the beauty of the world around me. The effect for me, is being "OK" with not understanding much of life, as how can we understand the mind of God, who created it? I am OK with not comprehending it all. Now, I feel guilty when I get judgy or critical of someone, when I never used to.
I'll tell you simply how my sister and brother-in-law lives are affected by their R with Jesus.
They are patient and kind to EVERYONE. They have TIME for everyone and shower everyone around them with love and giving. They give their time to all the old folks in the missionary retirement home they live in. Their whole life is about helping others. They are the humblest, least prideful people I have ever met; yet both are PhDs in linguistics. They translated the entire Bible into the Quechua language (descendants of the Incas), while living 40 years in the Peruvian Andes. They keep an extra car just to help out visiting missionaries, or other needy folks.
My sister donates her time to help some Vietnamese immigrants learn English and get jobs. When they hear of a need or problem, they stop whatever they are doing and pray right then and there. They do not judge anyone, but show love to everyone, including gays, etc., who are welcome in their church. Knowing they can turn to Jesus for help and support defines their lives.
What they don't do, is quote Scripture at every turn. Instead, they pattern their lives after how Jesus lived and that is why I have utmost respect for them. Showing love, caring for the sick, poor and disadvantaged.
As I write this, I realize plenty of non-Christians share many of these traits.
I'm sorry no one is answering you. I was thrilled when I discovered there was a Christianity forum as I wanted to share my doubts and questions, but sadly, it is just a place to argue this and that Bible verse.
Battling egos, though I'm sure some mean well---to doesn't appear that way.
This is a forum to discuss Christianity (not specifically for Christians) so you will get a range of people posting. If you have questions start a thread, be specific about what you want to know or what you doubt and keep it on topic. You should get a range of opinions which you can sift through that may help you.
Love Him before anyone or anything else, and love our neighbors as ourself. Beyond that, He will reveal His will thru a personal relationship and regular Bible Study.
What do you mean when you say you have a "personal relationship with Jesus?"
What does that look like in the day-to-day, mundane world?
If you respond, please provide specific details in your own words (no scripture).
Hi,
I know the answer to this question. I just formulated the idea in my head after chatting with my parish priest.
To say you have a personal relationship with someone who lived 2000 years ago may sound absurd. So what does it really mean? This is a new-fangled idea started by fundamentalist Christians no earlier than the last century. But nowhere in the Creeds are we told to have a 'relationship' with Jesus. Neither does the Holy Bible exhort us to do that. So where did fundamentalists get the idea from if the Bible which they place on their altar doesn't even say it?
What the Bible tells us to do and what Holy Tradition dictates is simply that we are to follow Jesus, not have a relationship with him, which is absurd and if I may use a fundamentalist word, unbiblical.
In reply to your question, a person can't possibly have a personal relationship with Jesus. He can only take up his cross and follow Jesus. If that sounds more subservient and makes us less of an equal to God himself, well, that's really the truth. We should be subservient and we shouldn't presume to be God's equal.
Cheerio!
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Very good question...I certainly know 
No one asked me.
that part made me laugh...right on! 
