2007-04-27 07:14:54 · 26 answers · asked by nanhowala 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is sometimes instantaneous but always a process. If you look at St. Paul you will see a great example of what I mean. He was converted on the road when Christ appeared to him, but later on in life he writes about beating his body(metaphorically) and becoming ever more like Jesus Christ.
2007-04-27 16:55:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
when i received baptism in spirit there was an instant fulfillment of the law and i was set firmly on a certain coarse toward God. I can only discribe this as being like flashing the field on and old time generator.(Magnetizing). My "Sins" totally forgiven. No more a "sinner". However i found that the process of "rebirth" or renewing of mind takes a long time. This is probably different for each person. God was changing me so fast i could not contain the energy in the "old bottle', he adjusted this power two or three time so i could grow a little slower in spiritual awareness.
2007-04-28 00:37:39 · answer #2 · answered by Weldon 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In a very real sense, both. Instant, in the sense of making a decision that changes your life. From that moment you have accepted a belief that is going to shape your existence from that point on. Gradual, slow and process in the sense of growing into that decision, making the day-by-day moment to moment changes and decisions that are required by the learning process. As you grow and mature in your new faith, these decisions become second-nature, you don't have to stop and think about them so much, but as long as you're alive you are learning (or at least that's the idea) so the "conversion" process continues. Those who stagnate in their beliefs often become rigid, angry and unpleasant to those who aren't just like them, so it's best to continue to learn and deepen your knowledge and awareness of your beliefs, their effects on you, on others, and on the world around you.
2007-04-28 01:35:32 · answer #3 · answered by anna 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both.
Salvation and belief in Jesus happens instantly. Although people shared with me the truth....I just never believed. Then after attending a church for a while...I became a believer. The change happened in a instant.
The growth process is long and slow. I began giving up my large sins...but now 17 years later, I'm still working on giving up sin.
What I mean by that was I gave up smoking and cursing...but I had no idea that selfishness and pride are just as bad. I can't shake those two...and God sees them as much worse sins than smoking!
2007-04-27 07:25:43 · answer #4 · answered by Red-dog-luke 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The Lord’s harvest is a process of sowing the Word, refining, cleaning, sifting, purification, and separation.
The Lord’s harvest sprouts at the First Advent and continues through the Second Advent into the Millennium to the great white throne.
2007-04-27 16:01:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Asking Jesus into your heart is an instant happening...But living for Him is a long process of sanctification, becoming everyday more like Him.
2007-04-27 16:18:01 · answer #6 · answered by Jan P 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Over a period of years I would suppose. I grew up going to Church. I however was washed in his (symbolic) his blood and born again at the age of 18. My Mother had been a christian but she was gone by that time and my Father was not yet a Christian, but with my coming home from church and testifying he was also saved and he later became a became a minister himself at the age of 53 and he preached for several years.
2007-04-28 01:41:08 · answer #7 · answered by Pamela V 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Salvation is a three stage process in Christianity involving justification, sanctification, and glorification as described below:
Justification happens instantaneously as soon as you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Sanctification is a lifelong process of being gradually conformed to the image of Christ.
Glorification is the endless eternity of communion with God and the elect in heaven.
Hope this helped!
2007-04-27 15:26:08 · answer #8 · answered by Kidd! 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
For me, before embracing Islam, I studied it for a few months, and then decided that I should become a Muslim. It was instant, basically I just declared that there is no god but God, and that Muhammad is his final messenger.
After that, it's like I saw the world in a whole different light! It was truly a wonderful decision that I am so happy to have made!
2007-04-27 07:31:51 · answer #9 · answered by Bonjour! 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
What else will you be doing?
You can stay as you are and may make it or not. Or you can come into a personal relationship with the Creator and slowly but surely make it through every day until the end comes and you are saved.
It takes a while to change your personality although you may already know who you want to serve.
It is like you know you are right and are content and happy so nothing bothers you.
2007-04-27 07:22:20 · answer #10 · answered by debbie2243 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋