Okay, so according to Paul, faith is inevitably followed by works.
About a year ago now I officially resigned a normal life and asked Jesus into my life, this was not the first time. This time I added a fail safe: I asked Him to use me in any way He saw fit, regardless of what I felt or thought. Since then, no works have manifested themselves in my life. Am I supposed to actively seek out becoming Christ like? Or will it just happen? If I truly only need faith, why hasn't faith alone served any greater purpose in my life? Should I be striving for righteousness or should I keep waiting for action on God's part?
2007-09-20 14:13:31 · 13 answers · asked by Dennis W 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God doesn't bless parked cars. If you are supposed to be doing something, then do so. But, only if led by the Holy Spirit.
Noah had to build the ark. Otherwise, he would have perished. Lot had to walk out of town.
What should you do? Pray and read/study the Bible. Get enough in you that when adversity strikes, you will be able to cope without having to pause and wonder what to do.
Let the Holy Spirit lead you.
2007-09-20 14:28:29 · answer #1 · answered by Christmas Light Guy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should pray for regeneration. Even this is evidence of God working in your life, IF you can truly pray for it.
Works WILL follow regeneration without your seeking, because that is the way it happens.
All I can say is that I said that silly 'sinner's prayer' a whole lot of times, and there was never any change in the way I lived my life. Then a day came when I was moved to look up bible verse. That's the day it happened. I wasn't looking for anything more than to check a verse about the passover, and the bible was a whole different book for me. Never did it speak to me in the way it did then, and the news was that I was headed for hell. Doesn't sound like 'good news', but I know now without that initial shock. Without being shown how much I was in need of a Savior, I wouldn't have EVER known the difference between saying you believe, and being given an new nature to believe, and the difference is huge.
2007-09-20 14:31:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is hard to answer, because you don't say what you mean by a normal life. Nowadays, a lot of people think a "normal" life means drugs, casual sex and living for Number 1. A lot of non-Christians don't even live like that.
I'll tell you what I think, though, for what it's worth: I think that when it comes to Christ, HE'S your fail safe. If you acknowledge His gift of salvation, accept it, and ask Him to come into your life, He'll take it from there and be as in charge as you need him to be. I also think (and I didn't come up with this on my own) that by "works", Paul means just whatever comes to hand in your daily life. Asking the Lord to live through you in whatever you do. Actually, if you've already asked Him into your life, He's probably been there all this time. Maybe it was just too noisy for you to hear Him.
I hope you get the answers you're looking for. Take care and God Bless.
2007-09-20 15:32:25 · answer #3 · answered by babbie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, OK. First, you say you have faith. OK, so, then you have faith that Hell exists. Now, if you truly believe in Hell, then you wouldn't want ANYONE to go there, if that's true you should be getting out there and saving people. This is works. Also, if God told you to go to Iraq, and preach there, even with what's happening, would you? Be careful what you ask for of God, cause he'll most likely give it to you.
2007-09-20 14:36:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
By interacting with others and using acceptance, tolerance and leaving judgment behind, you may find the path you are looking for. If you're out there doing some of the things that you think are a positive reflection on society then the answer may appear to you (and maybe in a way you don't expect).
2007-09-20 14:29:22 · answer #5 · answered by David 19 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in the beginning, there is not any burning hell taught interior the bible. God is a loving God and there is not any longer something that guy can do this would should be tormented continuously. The bible describes the lifeless as being asleep, ethical experience of no longer something. while your lifeless your lifeless with a wish of the resurrection. God does no longer reason the matters that guy is dealing with. people fall unwell, they die etc... sure, Adam and Eve began the mess, yet for this reason Jesus got here to die for us. to purchase back for us what Adam lost. The bible supply us a wish for the destiny that "the meek will inherit the earth and stay continuously upon" which replaced into God's unique purpose for guy. there will be peace, no ailment or death and the animals would be a peace with guy and with one yet another. Then all those interior the memorial tombs would be resurrected and characteristic a threat to stay continuously. As in Noah's day, it replaced into the wicked that replaced into destroyed, no longer the earth.
2016-10-09 13:49:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there is action required on your part! You need to seek out the disciplines of the Christian life, find a mentor, take part in Christian worship, in order to grow as a Christian.
There is effort involved in ANY undertaking, be it school, tennis, cooking, skiing, driving, balancing a checkbook, singing in a choir, etc. There are rules to learn and disciplines to stick with, or whatever you undertake will fail.
CHRISTIANITY IS NO DIFFERENT.
Nothing we do in this life comes "naturally". We have to learn everything, starting with how to eat, roll over, stand, and walk.
This is not to say that we are "saved" by our works. God saves us by His grace. However, now that we are saved, we have responsibilities. THOSE require learning and practice...lots of practice.
2007-09-20 14:30:01 · answer #7 · answered by MamaBear 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Making the decision to accept Christ means actively choosing to live a life that is more Christ-like. God will give us the strength to battle temptation, but we can not just sit back and expect God to do all the work for us.
If you truly have faith, this should manifest itself in YOU -- YOUR desire to avoid sin, YOUR desire to forgive and love others, YOUR desire to emulate Christ in all things.
Faith is a two-way street.
2007-09-20 14:27:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's great that you have the faith. But perhaps you should start seeking out different areas where you may be able to contribute or serve Him. You never know when or where He will call you.
2007-09-20 15:05:08 · answer #9 · answered by kaz716 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And have you got baptized since you believed?
Acts 2:37,38 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Mr 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."
Furthermore you should abide in the word (the Bible). There's plently in it that specifies what constitutes the Christian life. Work on that.
2007-09-20 14:56:56 · answer #10 · answered by Steve Amato 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋