Three phases of a Life of a Christian

djr6090 · Post by **djr6090** » 20 May 2020, 09:42

kutlee wrote: ↑15 May 2020, 04:13 A Crisis may never come. But Grace is always there. I have had some hard times but those are not the reason I need Grace. The grace I have received is that which bonds me to my heavenly father..giving me a right to be called a child of God. Yes..I need to share with others this same grace..I do try my best.

Very nicely put. I agree.

djr6090 · Post by **djr6090** » 20 May 2020, 09:49

AmyMarie2171 wrote: ↑19 May 2020, 18:58 I think these three phases are accurate for those to whom it applies, but not everyone has faced a crisis that redefines or recenters their lives. There most assuredly are still ways to live life as a Christian and receive God's grace without suffering through some major life event first.

Just so, AmyMarie. What is an earthshaking crisis to one may be only day-to-day survival for another. Each of these stories shows how gratitude sparks a desire to do good. I think that can come from the small mercies in life as well as the challenges.

Josep22 · Post by **Josep22** » 20 May 2020, 12:38

It is so practical and amazing. It is actually more evident when we experience it at individual levels. I love God for his grace.

Maria Esposito · Post by **Maria Esposito** » 20 May 2020, 12:57

Sushan wrote: ↑02 May 2020, 22:36 According to the author, there are three phases in the life of a Christian; Facing a crisis, Receiving grace, and returning grace to others.

What is your opinion about this? Have you ever done it? Is it practical?

I can totally relate to that - and each story in the book proves that this is the case. I often notice myself drifting away from God and spirituality when everything is going well. Then, something unexpected happens to remind me that I can't really do much on my own - that's not sustainable. And that is the moment I understand that I really do need God's help and guidance. When I overcome hardships, I usually feel very inspired to give back to others - in the form of advice, guidance, or practical help. So yes, I very much agree with the author!

edztan15 · Post by **edztan15** » 20 May 2020, 14:48

sirbobthewise wrote: ↑20 May 2020, 08:35
edztan15 wrote: ↑19 May 2020, 23:05 It makes sense, though maybe we can already share grace to others even if we aren't in those 3 phases yet?
This is a really interesting thought that I think I will spend some more time with! I think what the author intends, though, is to emphasize the "likelihood" of being able to give grace. I think we are more likely to be able to give grace once we have received grace (1 John 4:19 idea), because then we know more of what it looks like and we are more desirous of wanting to extend that grace to others. Likewise, after we have received grace, I think we also just have more space for others. In some ways (in my own naive thoughts), I feel like receiving grace is like being healed (or starting the journey of healing once you initially receive and accept the grace of God). You may have to be healed to some degree yourself before you can begin the journey of helping other people with their healing. If not, then it's easier to burn out. That's just a thought, though.

Something else that popped into my head in regard to the formatting of the phases is that, probably, we go back and forth between phases 2 and 3 throughout our life, too. There are certainly times when I need to take a step back and re-align, reminding myself, with the fact that I am under God's grace (so that I can be fueled up properly to help others).

I think the author intends for these phases to be thought of as helpful guidelines rather than the rule. It's good to ask those kinds of questions, though, for sure! So interesting!

Going back and forth between phases 2 and 3 kinda makes sense. You also made an excellent point that we will be better equipped in giving grace once we ourselves, have received it. These are realy interesting topics to speculate with.

Verna Coy · Post by **Verna Coy** » 20 May 2020, 16:30

Although these "phases" are part of being a Christian, I think there are many others as well. Learning friendship. Dedication to God. Aspects of faith itself. In some ways it isn't just being Christian, it's being human.

Nonso Samuelson · Post by **Nonso Samuelson** » 20 May 2020, 19:32

B Creech wrote: ↑03 May 2020, 11:32
Sushan wrote: ↑02 May 2020, 22:36 According to the author, there are three phases in the life of a Christian; Facing a crisis, Receiving grace, and returning grace to others.

What is your opinion about this? Have you ever done it? Is it practical?
I agree with the author on the three phases. I have faced much crisis' in my life and God has given me grace to get through all of them, even those of my own making! I have to confess I don't return grace to others as much as I should, and I hate to admit that! Christians are on this earth to carry out God's work and to show love and compassion to everyone. Thanks for bringing this aspect of the book up!

I haven't read the book, but I think in the light of what he outlined, there should be more than three phases. The totality of the Christian life isn't about facing challenges and surmounting them by God's grace.

Nonso Samuelson · Post by **Nonso Samuelson** » 20 May 2020, 19:34

edztan15 wrote: ↑20 May 2020, 14:48
sirbobthewise wrote: ↑20 May 2020, 08:35
edztan15 wrote: ↑19 May 2020, 23:05 It makes sense, though maybe we can already share grace to others even if we aren't in those 3 phases yet?
This is a really interesting thought that I think I will spend some more time with! I think what the author intends, though, is to emphasize the "likelihood" of being able to give grace. I think we are more likely to be able to give grace once we have received grace (1 John 4:19 idea), because then we know more of what it looks like and we are more desirous of wanting to extend that grace to others. Likewise, after we have received grace, I think we also just have more space for others. In some ways (in my own naive thoughts), I feel like receiving grace is like being healed (or starting the journey of healing once you initially receive and accept the grace of God). You may have to be healed to some degree yourself before you can begin the journey of helping other people with their healing. If not, then it's easier to burn out. That's just a thought, though.

Something else that popped into my head in regard to the formatting of the phases is that, probably, we go back and forth between phases 2 and 3 throughout our life, too. There are certainly times when I need to take a step back and re-align, reminding myself, with the fact that I am under God's grace (so that I can be fueled up properly to help others).

I think the author intends for these phases to be thought of as helpful guidelines rather than the rule. It's good to ask those kinds of questions, though, for sure! So interesting!
Going back and forth between phases 2 and 3 kinda makes sense. You also made an excellent point that we will be better equipped in giving grace once we ourselves, have received it. These are realy interesting topics to speculate with.

Again, I'm not sure I completely understand the 3 phases the author talks about if he is saying that's all the Christian life is about. Perhaps, there's something I'm missing.

Kaitlyn Canedy · Post by **Kaitlyn Canedy** » 20 May 2020, 22:29

That makes perfect sense. As a Christian myself, there is sort of a sense of "growing up" and "maturity" that has to happen throughout our lives. This is not the same as the physical age; rather, a spiritual age.

maxiphemmax · Post by **maxiphemmax** » 21 May 2020, 00:21

Jesus is our perfection of example of this. He made it clear that if they could do this to him, then nobody will spare his disciple, so he passed through crisis and won, gave grace and reviewed grace from His father. And so every of his follower will surely face something or the other in this line. I've had my own share myself. And God still giveth strength to pass through and come out victoriously.

Miraphery · Post by **Miraphery** » 21 May 2020, 04:34

The three phases are indeed very practical. Crisis is inevitable in life, so I'm not excluded from it. I've had my own share of crisis, received grace to deal with it, and helped others dealing with similar issues. I guess that covers the three phases.

moowshiri · Post by **moowshiri** » 21 May 2020, 05:08

It's very practical. At first, you have to be in some sort of crisis or facing some challenges, in order for you to see the grace of God in it. After receiving the grace, you begin witnessing to others in other words returning that grace to them.

aacodreanu · Post by **aacodreanu** » 21 May 2020, 05:29

espo wrote: ↑20 May 2020, 12:57
Sushan wrote: ↑02 May 2020, 22:36 According to the author, there are three phases in the life of a Christian; Facing a crisis, Receiving grace, and returning grace to others.

What is your opinion about this? Have you ever done it? Is it practical?
I can totally relate to that - and each story in the book proves that this is the case. I often notice myself drifting away from God and spirituality when everything is going well. Then, something unexpected happens to remind me that I can't really do much on my own - that's not sustainable. And that is the moment I understand that I really do need God's help and guidance. When I overcome hardships, I usually feel very inspired to give back to others - in the form of advice, guidance, or practical help. So yes, I very much agree with the author!

I do not think this is the rule. I believe there are the happy ones who believe without going through a crisis first. And there are the other happy ones who understand that they lack or miss something and come, of their own will, seeking for the Grace.

Maria Esposito · Post by **Maria Esposito** » 21 May 2020, 05:35

aacodreanu wrote: ↑21 May 2020, 05:29
espo wrote: ↑20 May 2020, 12:57
Sushan wrote: ↑02 May 2020, 22:36 According to the author, there are three phases in the life of a Christian; Facing a crisis, Receiving grace, and returning grace to others.

What is your opinion about this? Have you ever done it? Is it practical?
I can totally relate to that - and each story in the book proves that this is the case. I often notice myself drifting away from God and spirituality when everything is going well. Then, something unexpected happens to remind me that I can't really do much on my own - that's not sustainable. And that is the moment I understand that I really do need God's help and guidance. When I overcome hardships, I usually feel very inspired to give back to others - in the form of advice, guidance, or practical help. So yes, I very much agree with the author!
I do not think this is the rule. I believe there are the happy ones who believe without going through a crisis first. And there are the other happy ones who understand that they lack or miss something and come, of their own will, seeking for the Grace.

Yes - this is my very personal experience. Ultimately, everyone experiences faith individually and differently through their own journey.

Laura Lee · Post by **Laura Lee** » 21 May 2020, 05:43

Great question! It's an interesting way to look at it but there is certainly precedence in Scripture who this should be so. For example, the stories of the Children of Israel during their wilderness wanderings are one big tale of facing a crisis and receiving grace. Their problem was that they didn't always pass on the grace they received, but certainly, the Bible teaches that God allowed them to be brought into trial, after hardship, after emergency to teach them to rely on Him and that He was always there for them.