Three phases of a Life of a Christian

FaithMO19 · Post by **FaithMO19** » 25 May 2020, 07:04

The author's opinion of these three phases are true and practical. At some point, whether or not one is a Christian, one is bound to face a crisis. What distinguishes the one faced by a Christian and one faced by a non-Christian is that a Christian believes God's grace would help him prevail. That leads us to the second phase which is receiving Grace. A Christian can be rest assured that God would provide his never ending grace when facing a crises because he has said that he would. The last phase is just as important as the first two. What better way to show that you're a Christian than giving to others? A person once said that JOY means Jesus first Others second and Yourself last. For the grace to last and for it to be enjoyed, a Christian should extend that grace to others.

TempleOz123 · Post by **TempleOz123** » 25 May 2020, 07:47

Receiving grace is the easiest. We only have to ask, and His grace is sufficient for us all.

choco latte · Post by **choco latte** » 25 May 2020, 10:59

The three phases of the life of a Christian is well written, and I agree with it. That is; Facing a crisis, Receiving grace, and Returning grace to others. It is an excellent method to get over a crisis and go forward in spirituality. Whenever we face a dilemma, we get dejected, but the Lord is with us, and he will help us in getting over the crisis. After that, it is fundamental to help others in the way the Lord has helped us. I like this concept of the author.

María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda · 25 May 2020, 11:40

Sushan wrote: ↑24 May 2020, 21:45
Lunastella wrote: ↑21 May 2020, 20:26 I would agree depending on what you consider as "returning grace". I would like to think of it as being kind and compassionate towards our fellow men, but I think the author means proselytizing, and I'm not in favor of that.
I don't think proselytizing is what is meant by the author as 'returning grace'. Being kind and compassionate, and be helpful for those who are in misery is the returning of grace

I must've misunderstood, then. Thanks for clearing it up!

Annie2019 · Post by **Annie2019** » 25 May 2020, 12:57

"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?"

Yes I absolutely agree with the author. Honestly I have faced crisis in life that was painful and thought the world had ended as a Christian which had been tough but I received grace (unmerited/undeserved favor) through faith in God by believing in the Word. I knew God loves us unconditionally and equally has good intentions for everyone and blesses all as long as we don't give up. This grace to some extent I do give it to others in the simplest ways possible I can like being a blessing to others through encouragement, motivations, monetary assistant where possible. I believe am not just favored alone but to extend to others too.

Drakka Reader · Post by **Drakka Reader** » 25 May 2020, 13:05

I don't believe I have ever faced a crisis as described in the book and generally treat anything good happening as something that only happened cause the world was created, and I guess that's my grace. I also don't feel like I need a prompt to return grace, as that should be something you do without the push of a crisis.

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 25 May 2020, 19:18

pricklypurple wrote: ↑21 May 2020, 21:28 This is not something I can relate to. It seems to me there are many more phase in a person's life than that. Also, why must we face crises in order to be considered Christians?Why is everything about suffering?

It is not that these phases make you a Christian but, they are faced my people in their lives and how they act in each place make the world what it is. There is no need for suffering, but sometimes it is inevitable

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 25 May 2020, 19:21

angiedeeh1 wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 01:02 Facing a crisis, receiving grace, and returning grace, the phases of life mentioned in the book, seem almost too simple. I've been trying to think about my own life, and if my life could be summed up like that and I think maybe, yes. I think maybe in the good moments, in the days where things are going well and there's no major drama, those are the days that I may most often be receiving grace. Grace is an unearned gift of love, undeserved blessings from God, or even those around us. I think I can safely say that I don't deserve much of any of the good things I've been given, especially that which God has given. As a friend, a mother, a daughter, etc., I hope I have given or shown grace whenever possible. But when I'm not giving or receiving, am I facing a crisis? It feels like a stretch to say yes, but it may be so. Although those crises are probably not as big a deal as maybe I think they are at the time, I think in terms of this author's classifications, it makes sense. I couldn't find toilet paper for the last two months and that was almost a crisis until by the grace of God, my Amazon shipment finally came.

Crisis is a subjective matter. The effect of it depends on the person. It is good to see the good times of life as the times of rreceiving grace, so you can return it to others though you are not faced with any major catastrophe

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 25 May 2020, 19:22

Tonika632 wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 01:33
Becccccca+98 wrote: ↑21 May 2020, 17:48
Maconstewart wrote: ↑07 May 2020, 12:47 I don't believe that crisis is a prerequisite to finding God's grace or Christianity.
That's true. I don't think that a crisis is a prerequisite, but I do think that when we do go through a major crisis we are more likely to recognize God's grace; compared to when you're not in a crisis. I guess maybe when we're faced with a crisis, we appreciate God's grace more and as such are more likely to recognize it.
True. I have seen many people turning his head to God to help them even that they have never shown some kind of faith. It's never too late...

Yes, it is never too late. God shows His mercy to all those who accept him, sooner or later

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 25 May 2020, 19:25

Tonika632 wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 01:36
angiedeeh1 wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 01:02 Facing a crisis, receiving grace, and returning grace, the phases of life mentioned in the book, seem almost too simple. I've been trying to think about my own life, and if my life could be summed up like that and I think maybe, yes. I think maybe in the good moments, in the days where things are going well and there's no major drama, those are the days that I may most often be receiving grace. Grace is an unearned gift of love, undeserved blessings from God, or even those around us. I think I can safely say that I don't deserve much of any of the good things I've been given, especially that which God has given. As a friend, a mother, a daughter, etc., I hope I have given or shown grace whenever possible. But when I'm not giving or receiving, am I facing a crisis? It feels like a stretch to say yes, but it may be so. Although those crises are probably not as big a deal as maybe I think they are at the time, I think in terms of this author's classifications, it makes sense. I couldn't find toilet paper for the last two months and that was almost a crisis until by the grace of God, my Amazon shipment finally came.
I think we all don't deserve some things we received, but who is perfect among us? And that toilet shipment cracked me up

Who are we to judge what deserves for us and what don't. We have got what we got for some reason. For what we haven't got, it is the same. We have to accept the life as it is and be happy of what we already have

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 25 May 2020, 20:26

gayscott wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 02:55 There are many phases in the life of a Christian. I have faced tis particular series. I was faced with a life shattering crisis and God gave me the grace to make it through. He also gave me the strength to return grace to the people who caused the crisis. God is good.

What do you mean by you rreturning the grace towards who caused the crisis? You didn't harm them, did you? I think you expressed mercy towards them

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 25 May 2020, 20:31

Orizon wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 04:36 I agree with the author on the three phases. And one of the things I noted overtime is that instead of Christians returning the grace to others. They use the grace received to mock, abuse and compare themselves with others who are yet to receive the grace.

That is how corrupted people act. They forget that having something means there is something to loose as well. The next time they are in trouble, they will be the laughing stock and will be at the receiving end

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 25 May 2020, 20:34

Sydney Nyamasoka wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 05:25
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?
Three phases as regards grace. It's interesting because it brings out the subject of giving. Cheerfully giving as one freely received from God. Rescued from troubles of all sorts, struggles with sins, and in turn having a spiritually discerning mind that is filled with empathy and helping others not because of any merit but because of apparent need.

It is practical. Imagine if the entire human race had such an approach.

This is an important aspect the author brought up. Thanks for bringing it up again for discussion.

Yes, it is all about giving. No matter how small it is, but the receiver feels it in a several times magnified size. The world will be a far better place if everyone can develop this quality

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 25 May 2020, 20:36

Sunday diamond wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 09:45
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?
Yes it's really true, Though I'm not consciously aware of this fact, but it's a fact in my subconscious mind. I can say all the genuine men of God I've actually passed through these 3 stages and that made them useful gems on pulpit and elsewhere. I've personally witness this and I'm still in the business of continuous experience of crises-to-grace, and next is returning the grace. Generally for everyone, you can't give What you have not.

You can't give what you haven't got, that is true. But the important thing is making your mind to give whatever you have. That is not an ability just comes to anyone. It has to be practised

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 25 May 2020, 20:37

Snowflake wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 11:03
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 that this is a pattern that can happen in the lives of many people. However, I don't think they are the only phases or the only way to experience the Grace of God or life as a Christian. There are many paths in life.

Yes, indeed. These are not the only phases of a life. But this is a way to feel the God and let others feel His presence