Some Christians that I know or who have responded to me through Christian Forums tell me about their firm conviction in the Bible as the word of God. Their faith is based on trust. Other Christians tell me about their personal relationship with God. Their faith is based on experience, although they often also have a firm conviction in the Bible. My point is that some Christians base their faith solely on trust, while other Christians claim a personal relationship.
The difference between the two types of Christians has an effect on the way that they respond. After I made a commitment to Christ, some Christians told me about the joy of the relationship that I would soon experience, while other Christians told me to go on believing the promises of God and not to expect anything special to happen, telling me that expecting a personal relationship with God is asking for too much.
Those who claim a relationship cannot believe that anyone who has known God could ever give up their faith; once saved, always saved. Those whose faith is based on trust may suggest that a person who stops trusting God has lost their salvation.
I have great respect for the faith of both types of Christian. I have stressed some of the differences between the two, but there are also many similarities. However, I know which kind of a Christian I would like to be, and that is one with a personal relationship with God. I want to know God in a personal way. Those whose faith is based on trust tell me that I can know God by reading and believing in the Bible. I am not so sure; reading the Bible will help me to know about God, but will not help me to know God.
Of course, this is a simplification, and there are many other ways of thinking about the differences and similarities of Christians. But I have two questions. Do you agree with me in describing two kinds of Christians in this way? And am I right to be seeking a relationship with God, or should I trust in the Bible and expect no response from God?
The difference between the two types of Christians has an effect on the way that they respond. After I made a commitment to Christ, some Christians told me about the joy of the relationship that I would soon experience, while other Christians told me to go on believing the promises of God and not to expect anything special to happen, telling me that expecting a personal relationship with God is asking for too much.
Those who claim a relationship cannot believe that anyone who has known God could ever give up their faith; once saved, always saved. Those whose faith is based on trust may suggest that a person who stops trusting God has lost their salvation.
I have great respect for the faith of both types of Christian. I have stressed some of the differences between the two, but there are also many similarities. However, I know which kind of a Christian I would like to be, and that is one with a personal relationship with God. I want to know God in a personal way. Those whose faith is based on trust tell me that I can know God by reading and believing in the Bible. I am not so sure; reading the Bible will help me to know about God, but will not help me to know God.
Of course, this is a simplification, and there are many other ways of thinking about the differences and similarities of Christians. But I have two questions. Do you agree with me in describing two kinds of Christians in this way? And am I right to be seeking a relationship with God, or should I trust in the Bible and expect no response from God?