Three phases of a Life of a Christian

[Sushan Ekanayake]

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.

These three phases work as a cycle, and you can go through that forward as well as backwards. No hard and fast rules

[Sushan Ekanayake]

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.

You have pointed out very important things. Yes, all these are essential qualities to be a human, not just a humanoid

[Sushan Ekanayake]

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.

This is just a summary. Anyone can divide these into sub-phases and elaborate it. However, the final result will be the same

[Sushan Ekanayake]

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.

I don't think that the author is trying to put it in that way. These three phases is a part of a Christian's life, but that doesn't mean it is his/her whole life

[Sushan Ekanayake]

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.

I see the point. Being spiritually mature makes it more easy to express the grace to others, and also to identify when it is received in even in relatively small amounts

[Sushan Ekanayake]

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.

What Jesus Christ did was the ultimate sacrifice, and the ultimate crisis. All the Christians can reremind of that when being in a crisis and make themselves brazen to face it bravely

[Sushan Ekanayake]

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.

No one knows when there will be a major twist in their well going lives. But you have to keep your faith, face such situations, and help others to go through similar situations as well

[Sushan Ekanayake]

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.

You will feel God's grace when you are in a crisis, though it is always there. Then when you return it to others, it is God's grace that they feel for themselves

[Sushan Ekanayake]

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.

I don't think of this as a rule. It is just putting it in a palatable way. Yes, there are believers who never met with a crisis and others who go seeking grace without facing any major crisis

[Sushan Ekanayake]

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.

Yes, everyone feels grace in their own manner, and they can express it to others in their own manner. But the main source of all these is the one and only God's grace

[Sushan Ekanayake]

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.

In those early days, crisis was a way to make people turn towards the God. So they were sent through some hardships before being shown of grace and it made them believers

[Sushan Ekanayake]

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.

I think you are right. This shouldn't or couldn't be strict rule.

It is not a rule. It is just a fact. A sequence of events is put into a more understandable and presentable manner

[Sushan Ekanayake]

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!

This gave me something to think about too. Really interesting!! It makes sense that we go back and forward between phases two and three. I love that you brought it up as a healing reference because I think about it like that too. Excellent point!!

Yes, it is like helping each other. You help someone, and he returns the favour. So you go back and forth between second and third steps

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I appreciate the sentiment of these three phases. But I think it's more of a cycle than three separate phases. It's a nice idea to keep in mind though. Knowing that you can take the grace you receive from a current crisis and in turn, help someone else with it.

I am glad that someone saw my point. Indeed my friend, it is a cycle. And you can go back and forth through it

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I find these phrases to be true and practical. I believe that once you receive grace and overcome a difficult situation, you want to give back grace to others so that they can solve their problems as well.

When you go through a crisis and cime out undamaged, you get a feeling of accomplishment, and you are prone to see others who are suffering and in need of help. It makes you to return the grace that you received