Attitude as a christian

[Blessed-one]

i was listening to God's revelation to my cousin during his trip to China. In China, he met this fellow brother who is really poor (money), yet his love for God shines through brightly. He told cousin P. that how could he not become a christian when Christ died for him?

His attitude made cousin P. realise the inner arrogant feeling he had in him, instead of helping others here, he himself had been greatly encouraged by this chinese christian, whose zeal and fire for God really moves him. Thinking back on the affluence we have in the western world, are we as on fire for God as this chinese brother? are our hearts solely on God?

oh, please visit this thread on cousin P.'s sharing on his trip to China:
http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=634984#post634984

my spiritual well which had been dry for quite some times had again been filled, God did it by showing me cousin P.'s experience in China. Praise Him!!

 

[GraftMeIn]

I will check out the thread. Thanks Blessed-one! It certainly does touch ones heart to have fellowship with other Christians, and see the light of Christ shine through them so brightly.

 

[GraftMeIn]

Just went and read it, It's very touching. Sure makes me all the more thankful for the freedom we have here to share Gods Word with one another, and for the fellowship we have with each other.

 

[sbbqb7n16]

I always love hearing about people with great attitudes towards God! lol

Isn't there a verse which says "Hasn't God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith?" something like that in James

 

[Blessed-one]

Sure makes me all the more thankful for the freedom we have here to share Gods Word with one another, and for the fellowship we have with each other.

yes GraftMeIn! to be able to share without worrying over persecution, what blessings we have.

"Hasn't God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith?"

*nod* it's encouraging to see that there're still christians with simple, pure hearts like the ones Jesus commended in the bible. A good example to us all.

 

[Gerry]

Then WHY Blessed-one are Christians, who have this freedom, so reluctant to share it with others?

 

[sbbqb7n16]

Originally posted by Gerry
Then WHY Blessed-one are Christians, who have this freedom, so reluctant to share it with others?

It's not a natural desire to give what you have... it takes the Spirit of God just to give the courage to speak out and witness for Jesus Christ. And even more than that it takes some serious power to live it out like that guy did.

And some people think that no one is listening when you talk about Jesus...

I've been blessed by a cusual remark made by some guy in China... I'd say someone's listening

 

[Blessed-one]

Originally posted by sbbqb7n16It's not a natural desire to give what you have... it takes the Spirit of God just to give the courage to speak out and witness for Jesus Christ.

i can't say for sure about that "not willing to give" part... but i say for certain that one main reason is the fear of rejection. To be able to preach without caring about the consequences... (hey, that's why street evangelism is appealing) we definitely need courage from the Holy Spirit, as you said.

I've been blessed by a cusual remark made by some guy in China... I'd say someone's listening

in a way unexpected, um, isn't it just like the way God works?

 

[EPHRIAM777]

Originally posted by Blessed-one
i was listening to God's revelation to my cousin during his trip to China. In China, he met this fellow brother who is really poor (money), yet his love for God shines through brightly. He told cousin P. that how could he not become a christian when Christ died for him?

His attitude made cousin P. realise the inner arrogant feeling he had in him, instead of helping others here, he himself had been greatly encouraged by this chinese christian, whose zeal and fire for God really moves him. Thinking back on the affluence we have in the western world, are we as on fire for God as this chinese brother? are our hearts solely on God?

EPH replies...

We should not have to "do pennance" for the blessings that God has given us..or somehow play humble about them...!

WE should be thankful for the blessings we have and let others know that we're blessed BY God in this nation ( USA )....not of ourselves..!

I find the "attitude" of many Christians ( especially missionaries )..is we should walk around in sack cloth all day..for the sins commited by OTHERS in this great nation...! Well Daniel lived in Babylon and didn't have to do pennance for THOSE evil doers..nor should we do pennaance for the evil doers here...!

One doesn't have to be POOR to appreciate what the Lord has done..nor make excuses for the BLESSINGS or RICHES...God bestowes on US..!

Keep it ALL in focus..not just some of it..!

Your cousin probably went over there with a "I'm goin to help them poor chinese attitude"....When all the while it was HIM who needed the lesson...but God had to send em all the way to China to learn it...!

 

[OracleX]

Back in Bible college I had a Korean room mate. His dedication, desire and zeal were unmatched. Always up early praying and reading and up late praying and reading. Almost every moment that he was not studying, he was spending with God (except when I could get him to play ping pong). I have never seen that sort of devotion before or since in a person.

We had other students that were from Asia and they were very similar. It would almost seem that they take their faith over there more seriously than we do. It is probably (for the most part - and from what my room mate and I talked about) that we have it very easy he in comparison to others in other countries. Becoming a Christian so many times leads to purscution in one way shape or form. Here we don't have that sort of resistance. Here Satan works quitely keeping those from faith with attictions and other 'self' brought on issues - things that we choose to take part of. Where as over there the things that keep people from faith are more laws and tradition which carry much more of a threat. We have no risk of being jailed or harmed because we are Christians.

Maybe another way to look at it is that all Christians are soldiers. Some of us have been recruited at times and places of peace and others at times and places of war. Where those who are recruited at a time of war are fighting the battle and training at the same time - they can become the more devoted soldier through the heat of battle - which can be and usually is more effective than those in peace. Those in at peace don't think they have a battle to fight, or the only battle they think they have to fight is the lusts of our flesh. In a land that does not resist our beliefs in ways that threaten our life and freedom, we can easily become complacent and relaxed - just as a soldier that is not in a war. We must keep training and we must see that there is a war right here where we live. There are just as many people dieing and going to hell around us in the land of 'peace' as there are in any other place. We can not afford not to take our faith seriously - and not sharing our faith, being a witness of a mighty and holy God, and telling others of Christ, is failing in our responsiblity to God.

-stepping off soap box-

Sorry about that ... got a little worked up. My room mate really blew me away. I miss his example and his friendship.

 

[Blessed-one]

Originally posted by EPHRIAM777
One doesn't have to be POOR to appreciate what the Lord has done..nor make excuses for the BLESSINGS or RICHES...God bestowes on US..!

Keep it ALL in focus..not just some of it..!

regarding to appreciation of God whether we are poor or not, i agree with ya, but what i was trying to say was made clear in OracleX's post:

Where those who are recruited at a time of war are fighting the battle and training at the same time - they can become the more devoted soldier through the heat of battle - which can be and usually is more effective than those in peace. Those in at peace don't think they have a battle to fight, or the only battle they think they have to fight is the lusts of our flesh. In a land that does not resist our beliefs in ways that threaten our life and freedom, we can easily become complacent and relaxed - just as a soldier that is not in a war.

Originally posted by EPHRIAM777
Your cousin probably went over there with a "I'm goin to help them poor chinese attitude"....When all the while it was HIM who needed the lesson...but God had to send em all the way to China to learn it...!

God surely does use many methods to teach us things, but you were making quite an assumption when you don't even know my cousin. I understand there can be a feeling of pride (sort of a superior attitude to those who haven't heard of God) in those who go out to do missions, but their pride is a pride to serve God, rather than a pride that hinders them from going to places where the scenery is absolutely different and even dangerous.

 

[Blessed-one]

Originally posted by OracleX
Becoming a Christian so many times leads to purscution in one way shape or form. Here we don't have that sort of resistance. Here Satan works quitely keeping those from faith with attictions and other 'self' brought on issues - things that we choose to take part of. Where as over there the things that keep people from faith are more laws and tradition which carry much more of a threat. We have no risk of being jailed or harmed because we are Christians.

you couldn't have said it better! i agree with you totally.. that kind of zeal in western countries are not so easily to be found. I'm not saying that it's not there, that we don't have christians as devoted, (true, maybe due to different circumstances), but we should be even more devoted because we have no fear of persecution. We don't live our lives trying to please God as well as the those outside the church. We can preach anytime we want without being arrested by police. We have enough money to sustain us, and even with left overs to buy luxury items.

God gives us these blessings so that we can bless others with it.

 

[Gerry]

Originally posted by EPHRIAM777

Originally posted by Blessed-one
i was listening to God's revelation to my cousin during his trip to China. In China, he met this fellow brother who is really poor (money), yet his love for God shines through brightly. He told cousin P. that how could he not become a christian when Christ died for him?

His attitude made cousin P. realise the inner arrogant feeling he had in him, instead of helping others here, he himself had been greatly encouraged by this chinese christian, whose zeal and fire for God really moves him. Thinking back on the affluence we have in the western world, are we as on fire for God as this chinese brother? are our hearts solely on God?

EPH replies...

We should not have to "do pennance" for the blessings that God has given us..or somehow play humble about them...!

WE should be thankful for the blessings we have and let others know that we're blessed BY God in this nation ( USA )....not of ourselves..!

I find the "attitude" of many Christians ( especially missionaries )..is we should walk around in sack cloth all day..for the sins commited by OTHERS in this great nation...! Well Daniel lived in Babylon and didn't have to do pennance for THOSE evil doers..nor should we do pennaance for the evil doers here...!

One doesn't have to be POOR to appreciate what the Lord has done..nor make excuses for the BLESSINGS or RICHES...God bestowes on US..!

Keep it ALL in focus..not just some of it..!

Your cousin probably went over there with a "I'm goin to help them poor chinese attitude"....When all the while it was HIM who needed the lesson...but God had to send em all the way to China to learn it...!

I do not know why you feel you have a mandate from God to come in here and sit down on your throne and judge everyone here and their motive. Now you have been so presumptious as to render a judgement on a man and his motives, when you not only do not know him, but apparently you have never even seen anything he ever posted.

The name of this Forum is Deeper Fellowship. Nothing you have done here has resulted in a deeper fellowship with anyone here. Your posts are disruptive, obnoxious, and do not show forth any fruits of the Spirit, nor or they edify in anyway.

Do you wish to enjoy the fellowship and love of Christians or judge and accuse them? Do you wish to see the relationship of all of us deepened with our God and our Saviour, and with one another, or do you wish to be divisive and destructive.

Search your heart and pray and see what God would have you to do. Measure your actions by the Golden Rule. And if you do not wish to fellowship with us, then leave us in peace.