How did you come to christ?

[Zocrates]

It is my perception that people follow christianity from one of three ways.

1. They were raised with it. Indoctrinated from a young age and that's pretty much the only way they know how to live is with christ.

2. They go through a near death experience (becoming a serious alcoholic, serious drug use) and want to find christ in hopes of straightening out their life.

3. They feel very empty and alone in the world and want to find answers and companionship and they find it in the church.

If there is another way you came to know christ, please add it to the list, but this is what I've encountered thus far.

What's your story?

 

[heron]

Those are probably the stories you hear most often, because many people have less remarkable ones to tell.

I was mostly fascinated by realizing there was an unseen supernatural world. I was young, and the discovery was exciting to me.

 

[Jerrell]

Well, I myself was rasied in the Church. I was saved and baptized, and today I am a Minister, thus testifying of God's power to save.

I did not paticuraloty pay attention at first, but after being saved, I payed more attention than the other children, and I see the result of my paying attention. I can see it in the works that differ between us....not that I am judging, but God knows who are his.

I was saved at 5, called at 12, and liscended at 15, and now I'm 17- been preaching for going on three years now, and it's a real eye opener, to alot of stuff.

I wasn't indoctrinated, I chose to beleive. At times I questioned Chrisitanity. I looked at Islam, Judaism, Baha'i and Atheism, - but they were all empty and dead end raods. I realized that salvation is in and only by Jesus and none other. And i realized that it was only Satan and his angels trying to defelct me from my faith. Thus, I passed the test.

 

[arunma]

It is my perception that people follow christianity from one of three ways.

1. They were raised with it. Indoctrinated from a young age and that's pretty much the only way they know how to live is with christ.

2. They go through a near death experience (becoming a serious alcoholic, serious drug use) and want to find christ in hopes of straightening out their life.

3. They feel very empty and alone in the world and want to find answers and companionship and they find it in the church.

If there is another way you came to know christ, please add it to the list, but this is what I've encountered thus far.

What's your story?

I wasn't raised Christian (in fact I was specifically raised in a non-Christian religion), and I've never had any near death experience. At the time that I became a Christian in college, I had no short supply of friendships and good relationships with my family. So I would not fit the mold that you have carved out. I simply became a Christian through reading the Bible.

 

[£amb]

I am one of those people who was raised in a christian home, but it's not the only way I knew how to live. I went through a period in my life where God was not the center of it. It was through my own growing, maturing and experiences...not by my parents...that I found myself back in a church again.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

I was an atheist until 2 years ago and, in fact, hated Christians and Christianity. Then I started researching, mostly to disprove Christians I'd meet in order to debate, and gradually started to see the sense to it. Then God kept sending Christians to me. Most peculiar thing ever. Even in my job, in a field you'd expect to be very secular, I just kept meeting Christians, and I just couldn't deny Him anymore.

I actually *lost* lots of my friends when I became a Christian, so it wasn't any of your 3 options for me, either.

 

[salida]

Well, there are a variety of stories. Yes, I felt very empty and knew there was more to life than getting up, going to work and doing it all over again. I was raised a certain denomination I didn't agree with and they didn't teach me the bible at all.

I tried reading the Bible before I was saved but it was chinese. I needed to be pointed in the right direction. I wanted the faith who went from the apostles strickly from the bible and not legalism and institution type christian religion. Well, a coworker told me about Christ - I got the Holy Spirit, the bible wasn't chinese anymore. The Holy Spirit taught me - not a preacher - even though what the preacher said I agreed with. Yes, its a real spiritual experience that is the most remarkable experience in my life. If its not from the heart, and only head knowledge - this doesn't change a person to be more christ like.

I don't regret my conversion - its like regretting the moment someone would hand you over a billion dollars only better. One is eternal and the other isn't.

 

[Key]

I was a devout Strong Atheist (God Hater, Christian Hater, you know the type), got into Paganism, and a bunch of the Occult stuff when I was younger, before believing that it was all bunk, Blah blah, blah, for, in many ways, similar to Green's story.

Read the Scriptures for ammo, read all the stuff about other religions, read the Koran, Torah, read the Apothecary, read all kinds of stuff about Evolution, Big Bang, Just filled my head with all I could to build a wall, to have my "arms" ready.

Then one day.. God called... and I answered.

Now I have to deal with people that were just like me.. just from the other side of the fence sorta speak.

That's life for you.

God Bless

Key

 

[Emmy]

Dear Zocrates. I was not lonely but life had become without meaning, empty and repetitious. I was lucky to meet a truly Christian family, and was asked to come to church with them. There I met Jesus and after a while I opened the door of my heart to His knocking. After some years I joined the Salvation Army, became a soldier for Christ, and my life was filled with His Love, Joy, and Peace. He taught me to love and to care, took my fears and gave me His Joy, and took my restless hours and gave me His Peace. He is my Friend and my Saviour, and although life is not without its setbacks and sadness, Jesus helps me through it all. He died for me, and now I will try and live for Him. I say this humbly and gratefully, Zocrates, and send greetings. Emmy, sister in Christ.

 

[PostTribber]

"If there is another way you came to know Christ, please add it to the list, but this is what I've encountered thus far."

...as it is written, "No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him." (John 6:44) ...as it is written, "There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." accordingly, no one 'accepts' Christ, Christ accepts us!

 

[jive4005]

My salvation story beings as I was living the drug-alcohol-pridefilled life of a musician... unfullfilled yet content with the who-what-where of my life-walk.
While driving alone in my truck early one winter's morning (about 2am) in Jan.'95... returning/driving home from a music gig (I'm a full-time solo entertainer/singer) the Lord spoke out to me AUDIBLY...

He said simply... "I'm going to work in your life"...
I was dumbstruck....and although I did not feel I had actively been searching for Him, I had no doubt about
WHO was speaking to me... (I was alone...it HAD to be...and I Knew it was... God!) Although what He said was a Statement...there seemed to be an underlying question in His tone... one requiring a reply...and I really didn't know exactly what to say... so I just said..."O.K.".... and that was that... the end of the talk... but definitely NOT the end of the story.

From that moment on it seemed I had a charmed life...
everything I touched turned to gold (figuretively... of course). All of a sudden, everybody loved me, work became much too easy to find, the money was rollin' in... my family seemed to have a better attitude towards me...everything was working out GREAT.

This continued without letup for over 10 monthes.
Now comes the GOOD part... One day as I was doing errands, I missed my exit and took an alternate route off my local highway...and as I headed up the exit ramp... the Holy Spirit jumped all over me!!!

Right there in my truck, He got Right INTO ME. It was the most puzzling and wonderful feeling. At that very moment, the Lord of the Universe revealed His Glory of creation to me... it was , to say the least,overwhelming.
For the very first time in my entire life(I was 45 at the time), God showed me how He sees things... rocks, trees, grass, the sky...then he made me so AWARE of everything. Both natural things He had given the earth, and things he has taught man to develope and fashion. As all this was happening I was experiencing the greatest joy, peacefulness and love I had ever known... and as you might expect... I was crying my eyes out
(such a big burly guy-6'4", 300lbs-cryin' like a baby). It was all SO beautiful, SO wonderful.

For the first time in my life, I really felt wanted. As I drove off the exit ramp onto the local road, I passed a tiny sign. It had a small cross upon it along with the name of a church.

Now, understand something ...
I'M A BUSY GUY....THINGS TO DO!... and while I'm crying and wondering exactly what is happening to me... I'm still very strongly connected to this worldly life embraced... so, I see the sign, but I blow right by it... I HAVE IMPORTANT ERRANDS TO DO ...when suddenly, that Exact Same Voice from 10 monthes ago SHOUTS at me (again Audibly)... "STOP!"

Once again I was amazed...Who/How could that be...??? I slow down but do not stop and He yells
"STOP! PULL OVER!".
This freaks me out a little... so I DO pull over to the shoulder and stop. Then my head says to me..."this is silly...you're hearin' things... having hallucinations or maybe a flashback from the drug-using days"... so I begin to start driving again.
I get about 50' and the Lord again yells...
"STOP... TURN AROUND".
All of a sudden it hits me like a ton of bricks...this IS that same voice I heard so many monthes ago...it "is" GOD
...and He wants me to follow those little church signs.
So I carefully turn around...and I drive about half way back to the sign (it's still about 300' away) when suddenly I pull over and start cursing and swearing (wrestling), saying things like... "you gotta be nuts, you're hearing voices, it's gotta be the drugs, this Can't be happening, you must be going crazy, etc etc etc".

All the while this is happening I'm Still seeing the world thru God's eyes, I'm still crying, and I'm still sittin' there with the Spirit all over me. It's like a big wrestling match. I'm fightin' this thing hard with my mind and my soul... but God's got a tight hold on my spirit and
He isn't letting go (PTL).

Just when I am about to convince myself to give up this ridiculous thing, the Lord of All heaven and earth, always knowing the right thing to do and say... always knowing exactly how to reach the most hidden parts of your heart... said to me (still AUDIBLY)...
"have courage".

And with those words, my resistence to His Will simply melted away, and I know THAT is the very moment I truely surrendered to Him and was saved ...by His grace and mercy.

To finish... I followed the signs...
which lead me to a real, faith-based Christian Church and loving family, where I was able to mature in Christ.
I have since moved on to a different churchs and different roles... In all this, the Lord Jesus has saved my wife, mother, sister-in-law, and many many others ...all springing from His saving ME!.
Awesome!


His,
Rev J


and this too... the Lord took the extra steps needed to reach this most resistant sinner and bring him home ...
He will do it for you too....if you let Him....
God Bless you, in Christ Jesus

 

[Key]

If there is another way you came to know christ, please add it to the list, but this is what I've encountered thus far.

Well here is one you missed:

"Kicking and Screaming, denying your conversion all the way up until the end"

That was one you missed... and it seems there are quite a few people here on the forums that fall into that category.

God Bless

Key

 

[Zocrates]

Well, I myself was rasied in the Church. I was saved and baptized, and today I am a Minister, thus testifying of God's power to save.

I did not paticuraloty pay attention at first, but after being saved, I payed more attention than the other children, and I see the result of my paying attention. I can see it in the works that differ between us....not that I am judging, but God knows who are his.

I was saved at 5, called at 12, and liscended at 15, and now I'm 17- been preaching for going on three years now, and it's a real eye opener, to alot of stuff.

I wasn't indoctrinated, I chose to beleive. At times I questioned Chrisitanity. I looked at Islam, Judaism, Baha'i and Atheism, - but they were all empty and dead end raods. I realized that salvation is in and only by Jesus and none other. And i realized that it was only Satan and his angels trying to defelct me from my faith. Thus, I passed the test.

You said you were saved at 5. So you "made the choice to believe" at the age of 5? At 5 years old, most people are deciding between Legos and Tonka Trucks of which toy to play with....not whether or not god is real and if you should believe or not. That's not a decision a 5 year old needs to be making.

You didn't make the choice, someone made it for you.

I wasn't raised Christian (in fact I was specifically raised in a non-Christian religion), and I've never had any near death experience. At the time that I became a Christian in college, I had no short supply of friendships and good relationships with my family. So I would not fit the mold that you have carved out. I simply became a Christian through reading the Bible.

You still had a religious upbringing. When it comes down to it, all religions are the same. They believe in a particular god with certain characteristics and rules and if you don't like those rules or characteristics, then you move to another sect or another religion altogether. It happens quite often actually.

It's the early indoctrination as a child that put the idea in your head initially that there is a god. Where you go from there is up to you really. If you feel that the god you came upwith doesn't represent you well, you just move to another one.

I was an atheist until 2 years ago and, in fact, hated Christians and Christianity. Then I started researching, mostly to disprove Christians I'd meet in order to debate, and gradually started to see the sense to it. Then God kept sending Christians to me. Most peculiar thing ever. Even in my job, in a field you'd expect to be very secular, I just kept meeting Christians, and I just couldn't deny Him anymore.

I actually *lost* lots of my friends when I became a Christian, so it wasn't any of your 3 options for me, either.

Couldn't you and Key at least come up with another story that wasn't exactly the same? I've heard this story over and over again about the atheist who was so militantly against christianity who all of the sudden became the very thing he hated for so many years. It's kind of a tired act.

The story serves its purpose to show to other christians that "god can reach even the most staunch atheists!". So, what "sense" did you gradually see when you started reading the bible for research 'to disprove christians'. Because I've read the very same bible, and I'm not a militant atheist.

"If there is another way you came to know Christ, please add it to the list, but this is what I've encountered thus far."

...as it is written, "No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him." (John 6:44) ...as it is written, "There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." accordingly, no one 'accepts' Christ, Christ accepts us!

Well jesus seems to be neglecting a great number of folks down here. I guess that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy knowing that you're "special enough" that jesus chose and accepted you over billions of others, eh? That's the epitome of what we call a "holier than thou" attitude.

 

[Zocrates]

Basically in asking this question, I've come to an understanding about the validity of this concept of god. If you come to "the truth" by someone else ramming it down your throat at an early age,or if you're just looking for a way to help you with your addiction, or if you're just feeling lonely and/or lost in this world.....that doesn't mean what you've found is "the truth". It just means you're either comforted by the information you've been fed and now depend on it like any other drug out there. You cannot do without christ the same way others cannot do without alcohol, sex, or a needle.

But it doesn't mean that christ is any more real just because that's what you've been conditioned to think and see from an early age, or because it's helped you get through a tough period in your life. You're just trading one addiction for another.

And I'll admit that christianity CAN BE a lot less harmful than an addiction to drugs, sex, or alcohol, but it's still an addiction. People lead fully healthy lives without christ, so it's entirely possible to do it. But the worst a single drunk man can do to harm others is drive drunk and kill others in a car accident. The worst one religious person can do who abuses their religion can be far worse, especially in today's world where you can run into a school and take out 33 people or take over an airplane and drive it into a building.

 

[arunma]

You still had a religious upbringing. When it comes down to it, all religions are the same. They believe in a particular god with certain characteristics and rules and if you don't like those rules or characteristics, then you move to another sect or another religion altogether. It happens quite often actually.

It's the early indoctrination as a child that put the idea in your head initially that there is a god. Where you go from there is up to you really. If you feel that the god you came upwith doesn't represent you well, you just move to another one.

I'm sorry, but this statement has no basis in reality, and I would probably know better than you. Do you realize how difficult it is to convert to Christianity from a non-Christian religion? Most non-Christian religions are very tightly bound to culture, and conversion to Christianity is seen as implicit rejection of that culture.

It is, on the contrary, far easier to convert to Christianity from atheism, or to become an atheist. Among theists, atheism is widely regarded as a dysfunction. So then, when an atheist becomes a Christian, he is seen as finding God through Christianity. A theist (Christian or otherwise) who becomes an atheist does not necessarily reject his religion, but can be dismissed as confused or in poor mental health. To convert from a non-Christian religion to Christianity requires specific denial of one religious tradition in favor of another, and one who does this must overcome a fair degree of social pressure. Indeed I know several people who would prefer that I were an atheist. By your own admission, most Christian testimonies involve atheists or theologically lax cultural Christians converting to Christianity. Not that these conversions are any less genuine, but it is a relatively rare case for a non-Christian to become a Christian, and with good reason.

You have effectively ignored the vast difference between religions as well as the difficulty that non-Christians find in becoming Christians. This indicates to me that your opinions aren't based on any empirical observation.

 

[£amb]

because that's what you've been conditioned to think and see from an early age

Can you explain how someone is conditioned in their way of thinking/believing. Who or what conditions the mind. Just curious to what your answer will be.

 

[GreenMunchkin]

Couldn't you and Key at least come up with another story that wasn't exactly the same? I've heard this story over and over again about the atheist who was so militantly against christianity who all of the sudden became the very thing he hated for so many years. It's kind of a tired act.

The story serves its purpose to show to other christians that "god can reach even the most staunch atheists!". So, what "sense" did you gradually see when you started reading the bible for research 'to disprove christians'. Because I've read the very same bible, and I'm not a militant atheist.

Dude, you asked the question. You got your answer. If you don't actually want answers, don't ask the question. It's an insult to everyone involved.

If you've heard it again and again, perhaps that's because God really *can* reach even the most militant of atheists and has done it again and again.

Between you and me, a part of my hatred was knowing deep down that He was calling and I was just flat-out unwilling to sumit. I know it's the same for you.

Reject Him for as long as you need to. He'll still be there when you're ready.

God bless. x

 

[Key]

Couldn't you and Key at least come up with another story that wasn't exactly the same? I've heard this story over and over again about the atheist who was so militantly against christianity who all of the sudden became the very thing he hated for so many years. It's kind of a tired act.

Dude, you asked the question. You got your answer. If you don't actually want answers, don't ask the question. It's an insult to everyone involved.

Ya know, it's really insulting of you Zocrates, see you only want to look at the answers that support your little belief system, that go with what you want to hear.

Sorry, your not correct in your assessment, and either you can accept that, or you can't.

If you can't, that that is your desire to reject the evidence that is put before you, but, it is your desire to NOT look at the evidence, so this would conclude your desire to know more, as you only want to reaffirm your own standing, and dogmatic belief.

So much for your little claims of not having a belief, or a desire to believe in spite of the evidence. And so much for you being an Agnostic, as well.

The story serves its purpose to show to other christians that "god can reach even the most staunch atheists!".

Or, it could the truth, but you don't seem to like that answer, pity that.

So, what "sense" did you gradually see when you started reading the bible for research 'to disprove christians'. Because I've read the very same bible, and I'm not a militant atheist.

Your point, if you have one?

Well jesus seems to be neglecting a great number of folks down here. I guess that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy knowing that you're "special enough" that jesus chose and accepted you over billions of others, eh? That's the epitome of what we call a "holier than thou" attitude.

Humble might be a better word, hence why I take the time to even talk to people like you.

If I felt special, I would equally feel that you were beneath my notice, because you are not "special".. but then if you accepted that logic, it would shoot down your little hope and desire to have the feelings that you have already.

Basically in asking this question, I've come to an understanding about the validity of this concept of god. If you come to "the truth" by someone else ramming it down your throat at an early age,or if you're just looking for a way to help you with your addiction, or if you're just feeling lonely and/or lost in this world.....that doesn't mean what you've found is "the truth".

and for those that do not fit into your little mold that you want everything to fit into, people like Green and myself? What then, does this put a dent in your little Hypothesis, and thus you desire to reject our answers, because they do not support your view.

Well, in a way, you are living proof why people accept "evolution" as they reject because they want to reject that does not support their theory, and accept only what does. No Conspiricy is involved, just people that have blinded themsleves to looking at the whole picture, and taking in even what does not agree with them. So, when you think that the people that support these "Godless Theories" are non-biased, you have only to look in the mirror to know the hollow truth of your claim, they are as non-biased as you. Which, is very biased.

If you've heard it again and again, perhaps that's because God really *can* reach even the most militant of atheists and has done it again and again.

I wonder if he even considers that an option?

But, the truth of the claim is there, even if he denies it, it does not change the truth of how you and I, Green, have come to God.

However, what I find really funny, is if Z-- up there has heard this "Again and again" why did he not put it up as an option, I mean, if he has heard it Sooooo Much, you would think he would have put it up there, maybe because he just does not want to believe it, or because it would be a problem for the view he has constructed for himself regarding God, or it could be that he just wants to call us liars, to cling to what he so dearly wants to cling to.

In any case, it does not change the truth of our situation, or the means and methods that we have come to Christ.

God Bless

Key

 

[ebia]

It is my perception that people follow christianity from one of three ways.

1. They were raised with it. Indoctrinated from a young age and that's pretty much the only way they know how to live is with christ.

2. They go through a near death experience (becoming a serious alcoholic, serious drug use) and want to find christ in hopes of straightening out their life.

3. They feel very empty and alone in the world and want to find answers and companionship and they find it in the church.

If there is another way you came to know christ, please add it to the list, but this is what I've encountered thus far.

What's your story?

For most people the journey isn't clear cut. The most common experience is people get to know somebody in the church, get interested in some activty or event, come along a few times, start to get interested in what it's all about, and so on.

Another possibility is something like my own journey - grew up in a family on the fringe of the church - attending services on Christmas, Candlemas, Easter & Harvest only. Went to sunday school sometimes (my own choice), but in a different denomination. Then, as a teenager, made my own choice to attend church regularly for no clear reason. Dropped out of churchgoing again after university till God dragged me back again.

 

[jive4005]

ebia's quote: ...till God dragged me back again.

Oh how I do LOVE the ways of God!

His,
Rev J