That increased awareness of our sinful nature is a sign of maturity in Christ ? cf. 1 Timothy 1:15 - how spiritual was this man ? The closer you get to the light, the more you realise how dirty the flesh is. Comments ?
2006-11-03 23:44:23 · 29 answers · asked by Carlito 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A2Z - Hi there.
With respect, I know that I have eternal life through faith in the Son of God after I die.
Do you know that you have eternal life ? Do you know if will be good enough to make it into Heaven ?
Is there peace in your heart ?
2006-11-04 00:13:56 · update #1
ErnestS - Hi. Helps to remember that the publican was under the Mosaic Law and not in the New Covenant as such. It is right for a Christian to be humble, but true humility must involve honesty. If we recognise the possibility of true maturity in Christ through increased awareness of sin, how can this be wrong if we are being honest ? False humility is a sin. May God bless you.
2006-11-04 00:21:47 · update #2
Great question. I totally agree with your question. Jesus is the light of the world. When that light shines on me when I sometimes lose my temper or when I get frustrated, it reminds me of the cross. Jesus is worthy of all praise. I am not worthy of any praise. Jesus makes me worthy when I stand in His light.
The closer we are to Jesus the more we see our failings. The more that we see our failings we realize how redeemed we really are. I don't think there is any religion out there that can leave a person with such hope to press on than Christianity. When I turn to Jesus I don't see a foot waiting to crush me. I see a hand reaching to help me up. This revelation is part of maturing. Maturing is pressing on to perfection.
God Bless.
2006-11-03 23:56:30 · answer #1 · answered by Just_A_Guy 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It seems that A2Z has got it right. Christians should follow the words of Jesus and not those of Paul and all the warped interpretations which have been incorporated into Christianity since the Crucifixion. Muslims should also adhere to the words of the Koran as recorded by Mohamed (PBUH) and not to the additions of the Sharia and the interpretations of successive Imams.
2006-11-04 02:08:41 · answer #2 · answered by cymry3jones 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not a sign of maturity in Christ, since awareness of sin comes by revelation. The Holy Spirit is the One who convicts of sin. He may do that as He chooses.
Paul wrote for our edification and instruction.
It is good not to boast, for, whatever any of us have is a gift from God anyway.
Let Him decide who He thinks is mature, what He thinks counts.
Consider the publican who would not even so much as lift his eyes to heaven and stood a long way off, smiting his breast and pleading for mercy - he didn't have time nor inclination to asses his maturity but was fully taken up with his desire for God.
2006-11-04 00:11:59 · answer #3 · answered by Ernest S 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes - you are very wise! And it's also a sign that you have God's spirit living within you and you humble yourself to Him.
Also, you have to put these words spoken by Paul into context - "13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief." His new life in Christ was such a contrast to the old - that he considered himself the worst of sinners.
And really, then, that is true for all believers!
p.s. enjoyed your 360.
2006-11-03 23:56:20 · answer #4 · answered by Kare♥Bear 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I will agree that this is a good conclusion to draw from that passage. The whole bible, really (esp the whole NT) gives us a glimpse of our sinfulness. I have, many times found myself in the same condition of the Israelites. Here God is providing and I am griping about it.
God could put a brand new mustang car in my front yard and I would complain saying I wanted a corvett.
2006-11-03 23:48:22 · answer #5 · answered by newcovenant0 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Realizing that you're a sinner is just the first step. But there's a time to move past the "milk" of the word, and get into the meat of the word. Meat is for the strong, milk is for the "new-born-agains" in Christ.
2006-11-03 23:51:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I never knew how fat I was til I was next to skinny people. I never knew how bald I was til I saw so many with hair. I never knew how dumb I was until I was in a room full of mensa members.
It's logical that the more we know about God and how perfect we would have to be without Christ being our perfection that we realize how awful we are and that there is nothing we do that deserves heaven.
2006-11-03 23:49:53 · answer #7 · answered by Help 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A2z who the heck is paul ??????
true christians follow our Saviour JESUS and they should know that, anyone who says different is not real follower.
and to your question..... yes i belive noticing the wrong your doing is maturity and im living proof. these days are going so fast now its almost time to be ratured im sure i can feel a change God is stiring us up for the battle....... take care x
2006-11-04 05:48:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he was very self aware. I see in my own life how dirty the flesh is but I also know that I am born in this, and that Jesus died so that I too can be accepted into the "heavons" only by faith in him for I can make it through what ever happens when we die.
2006-11-03 23:51:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree. I think as people progress in Love towards Christ, they see the vanity of all vanities, yet know that we are all God's creation.
So it is a dual concept.
The Christian realizes our present state of existence, yet also realize the sacrifice and Love of our Savior for each of us.
Our Hope is in our Lord Jesus Christ.
2006-11-03 23:52:24 · answer #10 · answered by Lives7 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋