[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

Title:Discussions from a Christian Perspective
Notice:Prostitutes and tax collectors welcome!
Moderator:CSC32::J_CHRISTIE
Created:Mon Sep 17 1990
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1362
Total number of notes:61362

1129.0. "Imperceptible Change" by CSC32::J_CHRISTIE (Ps. 85.10) Mon Aug 28 1995 16:37

So many times we hear how the Gospel message is suppose to turn one's
thinking upside down.  Such a phenomenon is genuine, I believe, as is
evident by the lives of Paul of Tarsus, Francis of Assisi, and others.
The transformation, however, seems practically imperceptible in others.
Even with time, so many of the converted seem as self-concerned and
observably unaffected as ever.

What's going on here?

Shalom,
Richard

T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1129.1CSLALL::HENDERSONI'd rather have JesusMon Aug 28 1995 20:4518



 I dunno.  I've seen major change in a lot of people over the years.  some
of us still stumble in sin, and say things we wish we didn't, and do things
we wish we didn't and try to be "perfect" which is what the non Christian
world seems to expect of born again Christians..In some the change is
not as perceptable as some might like, some don't want to see the change
in others, as it points to their own condition, but the bottom line is
we can't see the hearts of those whom the Lord has changed, and the outward
change that so many want to see immediately takes a bit longer.

As the Lord works in my oldest son, and I see the step by step, changes
in him, I see just how powerful the message of Jesus Christ is.


Jim visiting briefly while on vacation
1129.2CSC32::J_CHRISTIEPs. 85.10Wed Aug 30 1995 18:156
    Would it be fair to say that not all the converted have their thinking
    turned upside down as a result of the experience?
    
    Shalom,
    Richard
    
1129.3"Lord I Believe, Help Thou Mine Unbelief."LUDWIG::BARBIERIWed Aug 30 1995 19:2112
      I think its some combination of how much truth has been
      discerned and the extent of the faith that has laid hold
      of it.
    
      So...
    
      Someone who has not had their thinking turned upside down
      probably was not exposed to a whole lot of light (as if
      any of us have been) and perhaps did not lay hold of it with
      a whole lot of faith.
    
    						Tony
1129.4APACHE::MYERSHe literally meant it figurativelyWed Aug 30 1995 19:307
    
    If one is raised in a Christian home, can they really really be
    expected to "have their thinking turned upside down?" I mean, if upside
    down thinking is what one is taught from the beginning, how are they
    "born again" in the sense of Saul or Nicodemus?

    Eric 
1129.5CSC32::J_CHRISTIEPs. 85.10Wed Aug 30 1995 22:287
    .4
    
    Such questions have crossed my mind as well.
    
    Shalom,
    Richard