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Post by PrisonerOfHope on Dec 26, 2013 18:26:59 GMT -5
It seems that on the other boards that I scan I frequently come across someone writing something like, "I was saved when I was 10 (or 5 or 8 or whatever) but didn't start living like a Christian until I was 20 (or 30 or whatever)."
I saw it yet again today, and that begs the question: is a kid (or someone of any age, for that matter) who is caught up in the emotion of a church service or crusade - or perhaps is just eager to please its parents - and responds to an altar call or says a prayer but doesn't do anything to mature in the faith for many years after that really saved at the time they claim they were? Or would you say they didn't genuinely become saved until they repented and stopped living like the devil?
I tend to go along with the latter. I realize that one remains immature in the faith for a while and - just like a natural baby needs to grow and mature - a new believer will continue to learn and make mistakes until they reach spiritual maturity; heck, for that matter, even mature Christians stumble and fall from time to time! But just as one would look askance at a 20 year old who still wasn't toilet trained or still sucks its thumb, I don't believe one can go up to an altar or say a few words with no intention of changing and expect to go to heaven if they died - they're not "immature" Christians; IMHO they're not Christians at all.
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Post by OnThe3dge on Dec 26, 2013 20:06:38 GMT -5
I agree. The whole "church service", no matter what denomination, is manipulative. Lively music to start, meet-and-greet (the only time people actually "build each other up"), another lively song, announcements, prayer, a solemn song, a looong solemn prayer, and then the sermon, when people have been brought to a very suggestible state. Another long prayer, an invitation, and 500 verses of "Just As I Am". Am I right?
I honestly believe that someone too young to grasp what it means to pledge one's loyalty to God and believe Jesus rose from the dead (kids can easily believe just about anything) is covered by the blood of Christ. But when they come of age, the church needs to be sure that those people fully understand and still believe.
I am one who always believed in God, always believed that Jesus rose from the dead, and always strove to live like He matters. Yet I am also one to subject everything I believe to rigorous scrutiny, because truth fears no examination. And this is why my faith is deeply rooted.
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Post by popcorn on Dec 26, 2013 22:07:36 GMT -5
I agree.
Eph 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
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Miriam
New Kid on the Block
Posts: 17
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Post by Miriam on Feb 26, 2014 8:54:08 GMT -5
I tend to think that we can't be sure of anyone's heart, although it doesn't look good from our viewpoint. I hesitate to say someone was never a Christian because I don't want to falsely accuse someone. I usually talk to the person if they're not living a Christian life and ask them what they think about these things; this way, I plant seeds and let the Spirit discuss the issue in detail with them personally, if any issue exists.
Just my opinion.
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Post by schwartzie on Feb 28, 2014 15:20:19 GMT -5
I agree Miriam; it's better to talk over the issue of salvation with someone and make sure they're saved, rather than just assume they are.
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Miriam
New Kid on the Block
Posts: 17
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Post by Miriam on Mar 1, 2014 13:35:44 GMT -5
Exactly what I was trying to say, Schwartzie :-)
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