A word on the purpose of this area of the forum

[Alive]

We thought it helpful to have a dedicated area where new converts can ask questions and/or share thoughts in a relatively quiet area, where well grounded members chosen for this purpose, can lend a hand of teaching and guidance as required.

 

[Arial]

We thought it helpful to have a dedicated area where new converts can ask questions and/or share thoughts in a relatively quiet area, where well grounded members chosen for this purpose, can lend a hand of teaching and guidance as required.

And maybe have some posts that cover things that we wrestled with in the beginning? I posted a couple, but maybe it is the wrong place.

 

[Alive]

And maybe have some posts that cover things that we wrestled with in the beginning? I posted a couple, but maybe it is the wrong place.

I sound like a broken record, but I am convinced that a continuous look at what it means to have been included in the Cross, Resurrection and Ascension is the most profitable no matter where an individual is in the journey.
Grasping those things answers nearly all questions. Keep it simple and in simple terms.

 

[makesends]

Arial said:
And maybe have some posts that cover things that we wrestled with in the beginning? I posted a couple, but maybe it is the wrong place.

I sound like a broken record, but I am convinced that a continuous look at what it means to have been included in the Cross, Resulting and Ascension is the most profitable no matter where an individual is in the journey.
Grasping those things answers nearly all questions. Keep it simple and in simple terms.

In the beginning.... My problem is keeping my mouth shut about what has happened to me, to take me from worrying about my eternal destiny and the constant wishing I could give up because of the agony of my disobedience, to the confidence in his mercy and the delight in his working out his decree. But it gets complicated. I guess you have to go through it to understand it. How do you tell a new Christian to get their eyes off their SELF, when it has taken me 68 years and still such a long way to go?

And then, there is the fact that everybody's story is different.

 

[Mr GLee]

Arial said:
And maybe have some posts that cover things that we wrestled with in the beginning? I posted a couple, but maybe it is the wrong place.

In the beginning.... My problem is keeping my mouth shut about what has happened to me, to take me from worrying about my eternal destiny and the constant wishing I could give up because of the agony of my disobedience, to the confidence in his mercy and the delight in his working out his decree. But it gets complicated. I guess you have to go through it to understand it. How do you tell a new Christian to get their eyes off their SELF, when it has taken me 68 years and still such a long way to go?

And then, there is the fact that everybody's story is different.

From another slow learner 76. His confidence keeps us awake in class strengthening believers in the long sufferings of his patience teaching us he is kind . He does not give up on slower learners


Philippian 1:5-6 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

 

[Alive]

From another slow learner 76. His confidence keeps us awake in class strengthening believers in the long sufferings of his patience teaching us he is kind . He does not give up on slower learners


Philippian 1:5-6 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Amen!

 

[makesends]

I sound like a broken record, but I am convinced that a continuous look at what it means to have been included in the Cross, Resurrection and Ascension is the most profitable no matter where an individual is in the journey.
Grasping those things answers nearly all questions. Keep it simple and in simple terms.

That's probably as good as anything —straight and simple doctrine, until they begin to have a feel for the truth of it— other than the direct quotes from scripture concerning their status in Christ. I suppose the response should be tailored to each. For eg, to some I repeat that their security is in the fact that he will complete what he has begun (as @Mr GLee said), and not one will be lost. For others, I repeat that the one who comes to him he will never cast out, or that a bruised reed he will not break and the smoldering wick he will not snuff out.


BTW, did you mean "Resurrection" there, or "Resulting", in, "...included in the Cross, Resulting and Ascension is..."?

 

[Alive]

That's probably as good as anything —straight and simple doctrine, until they begin to have a feel for the truth of it— other than the direct quotes from scripture concerning their status in Christ. I suppose the response should be tailored to each. For eg, to some I repeat that their security is in the fact that he will complete what he has begun (as @Mr GLee said), and not one will be lost. For others, I repeat that the one who comes to him he will never cast out, or that a bruised reed he will not break and the smoldering wick he will not snuff out.


BTW, did you mean "Resurrection" there, or "Resulting", in, "...included in the Cross, Resulting and Ascension is..."?

Thanks for that. I fixed it.

 

[makesends]

Thanks for that. I fixed it.

Sorry. Stuff just jumps off the page at me. I'm one of those who keeps the level of my feeling of integrity up by noticing what others write wrong, and even have to 'bite my tongue' to keep from pushing them down for their poor punctuation. But, the last few years, (as a result of biting my tongue, no doubt), my fingers have taken a life of their own, typing their own word in place of what I had meant to type.

I should have taken a career in proofreading. But then, "I do my own proofreading best after I punch SEND."

 

[ChristB4us]

We thought it helpful to have a dedicated area where new converts can ask questions and/or share thoughts in a relatively quiet area, where well grounded members chosen for this purpose, can lend a hand of teaching and guidance as required.

it is wise.

1 Corinthians 3:And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

Makes one wonder if there should be a section in forum for those rooted in His words to discern good and evil.

Hebrews 5:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Course, we are always growing in the knowledge of the Lord and we learn something new every day and so one cannot really say we are mature in Christ as if there is nothing more we can learn when we trust in Jesus Christ to give us wisdom for using His words as meat to discern good and evil by His words.

John 15:1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Let me know if there is such a section for those who wishes to use the meat of His words to discern good and evil by His words or whether or not such iron sharpening iron part of His ministry should only be done in private conversation?