Does Christianity work?

[Christ_empowered]

I think Jesus changes people. I think Jesus has changed me.

I will say that looking to other Christians can result in a let down. Personally I’m thankful for the let down because now I know to look to Jesus first. So…

Christianity the religion persists and occasionally one sees revivals and upswings in conversion. For us believers I think a better question is: how does Christianity work in our lives?

Thanks

 

[Edward]

I think Jesus changes people. I think Jesus has changed me.

I will say that looking to other Christians can result in a let down. Personally I’m thankful for the let down because now I know to look to Jesus first. So…

Christianity the religion persists and occasionally one sees revivals and upswings in conversion. For us believers I think a better question is: how does Christianity work in our lives?

Thanks

I know Jesus has changed me inside. I can perceive the difference in me over time. I'm not complete yet because sanctification takes time. Oh sure, you got a brand new spirit when you got saved, but your soul and body did not change. That doesn't happen with a sweep of God's hand instantly or a single word...because the effects of sin upon our soul has been so great that it is damaged and needs repaired or sanctified. God can make our soul pure in an instant, but to do so would erase our very identity due to the extent of the damage.

And we have to help in the process! We are promised trials and tribulations and suffering. What good does that do us?

Because, if we didn't have difficult obstacles to overcome then we would not be forced to ove on from where we are...and grow. As a spirit and as a person. What don't kill you only makes you stronger, and the Lord Promised to not put more on you than you can bear. But if you have to push through to get past a difficulty or obstacle then you do not stay in that same place. You grow. You have moved on past it and overcome it. Understand what I am saying?

 

[for_his_glory]

What works is having faith in Christ who has created a newness of life in us by that of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that we walk worthy of His commands as they are not burdensome.

Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

[evenifigoalone]

For the Western world, Christianity is the dominant religion. Millions of people claim it, some actually practice it, others do well at practicing it. But I'd say that most people who claim Christianity are more "culturally Christian" than they are "actually" Christian. In other words, they were probably raised Christian and maybe loosely follow it via some things like going to church on occasion and believing in God. I'm not going to call them fake Christians, but I also think that most of the population that claims Christianity falls under this category.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

This is probably changing as the culture degenerates.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

I think Jesus changes people. I think Jesus has changed me.

Christianity works. I am a different person living a different life. And it keeps getting better and better. And not because my circumstances are better but because I'm different in my circumstances. I have joy and abundance and peace. The more you let go of the things of this world, the more of Christ by the Spirit you'll have.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

I will say that looking to other Christians can result in a let down.

That's because the life of the Spirit is the narrow road that leads to life that few find. Jesus didn't mean only Christians find that road. He meant out of everybody, Christians included, few find the way of life and peace in this life. Many if not most Christians have a theological relationship with God, not a heartfelt, joyful, peaceful, abundant relationship with Him. They relate to him through the correctness of various doctrines and worship procedures and do not know the overflow and abundance of Christ's presence by the Spirit.

 

[GodsGrace]

I think Jesus changes people. I think Jesus has changed me.

I will say that looking to other Christians can result in a let down. Personally I’m thankful for the let down because now I know to look to Jesus first. So…

Christianity the religion persists and occasionally one sees revivals and upswings in conversion. For us believers I think a better question is: how does Christianity work in our lives?

Thanks

Great thread.

 

[Christ_empowered]

For me Jesus has changed my conditions too. It’s not that I’m a better Christian it’s just that’s how Jesus has changed my life. And…

Honestly? For all this talk around me about me having severe mental illness I’m more lucid and of sound mind than ever before. He works differently in different believer’s lives of course. My good physical health is a sign to me that Jesus is exactly who He says He is in Scripture.

Ok thanks

 

[Edward]

Christianity works. I am a different person living a different life. And it keeps getting better and better. And not because my circumstances are better but because I'm different in my circumstances. I have joy and abundance and peace. The more you let go of the things of this world, the more of Christ by the Spirit you'll have.

Well said. I understand completely what you mean.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

There is likely more than one answer, but I think a major one is experiencing the forgiveness of sins. And then the choice to forgive others who sin against you is also major. And then there is learning to do as Jesus teaches which changes a person's character in time. Of courses the Holy Spirit helps but we have to cooperate, not just give mental ascent.

 

[Hidden In Him]

I think Jesus changes people. I think Jesus has changed me.

I will say that looking to other Christians can result in a let down. Personally I’m thankful for the let down because now I know to look to Jesus first. So…

Christianity the religion persists and occasionally one sees revivals and upswings in conversion. For us believers I think a better question is: how does Christianity work in our lives?

Thanks

I am still a major work in progress, as the Devil got his hooks in me awfully deep before I came to Christ. But I can assure you I'm a MUCH better man than I would have been without Him, in more ways than I quite frankly can even count. I could have easily wound up serving the darkness instead of the Light, but how exactly do those people benefit anyone other than themselves? The world has enough self-serving types to go around already. I spend my time nowadays in service to God and in service to others to the best of my ability, which never would have happened in a million years had I not given my life to Christ.

Christianity not only works, it works miracles.

 

[Christ_empowered]

Yeah…

I don’t think I chose Jesus initially. I want to be careful because my salvation is not your salvation but…

I was a severely brain damaged stigmatized individual who eventually repented somehow. 10 years later….

I’ve been made healthy. I’ve been made smart. I say yes to Jesus now and I understand His message and His commandments better and I can say that now I can choose to obey but…???

I dunno Jesus saves.