Three phases of a Life of a Christian

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 25 May 2020, 20:40

LyorBoone wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 12:51
Maconstewart wrote: ↑07 May 2020, 12:47 I don't believe that crisis is a prerequisite to finding God's grace or Christianity. His most gracious act was giving His son's life as payment for humanities sins. That was given before any of us were even conceived.

We are able, and many do, accept that act of grace and become part of God's family of believers. Some go through life without any major crisis in their life. Others of us have seen our share. But, God is there with His grace and forgiveness for both groups...willingly and freely.
I agree with you there. These 3 phases feel more like the Christian response to a crisis, but phases often spark imagery of a cycle. I don't think every Christian passes through these phases in a 1, 2, 3 motion over and over again. I there are plenty of difficult situations out there looking for a someone to fall victim. Two of these phases apply to a Christian suffering a personal crisis. The third phase is how Christians responds to another's crisis. However, there is more to the Christian life than dealing with a crisis.

Yes, it happens in a cyclical manner. And the order of the steps can be changed. These phases does not describe a whole life of a Christian, but giving others what they need is a more important fact in a Christian's life

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 25 May 2020, 20:42

Warmworm wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 14:35
Maconstewart wrote: ↑07 May 2020, 12:47 I don't believe that crisis is a prerequisite to finding God's grace or Christianity. His most gracious act was giving His son's life as payment for humanities sins. That was given before any of us were even conceived.

We are able, and many do, accept that act of grace and become part of God's family of believers. Some go through life without any major crisis in their life. Others of us have seen our share. But, God is there with His grace and forgiveness for both groups...willingly and freely.

I was perusing through the comments and yours resonated with my thoughts. That statement would surely make a person who hasn't gone through a crisis, but shows others grace feel unworthy of sharing. it's like you phrased it, "A prerequisite"

I wish everyone would just share goodness and good vibes all he time as opposed to just after God's grace comes through for them.

And what of the people whose lives are filled with misfortune? Are they excused in wickedness just because they'll feel especially denied of this grace?

People live their lives for a reason, though it is a good one or a bad one. But having atleast something means having some of the God's grace, and everyone has to be thankful for that and live as good as they can

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 25 May 2020, 20:44

Katherine Smith wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 17:42 I think that the three phases of a Christian life are seen in every story of the Bible especially in the New Testament. I think that these guidelines can be achieved, but like everything else it requires hard work and determination. I also believe that it can be harder for some than others due to things like addiction or abuse. I think that for most people the hardest part of their journey is returning grace to others.

Salvation is not easy for everyone. Some are deep in trouble and it needs much effort to pull them out. And they may need some more time to return the grace to others

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 25 May 2020, 20:45

Moray_001 wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 19:34
Alphonsius wrote: ↑02 May 2020, 23:54 I really felt touched by the three phases the author outlined. That is: Experiencing crisis, Receiving grace, and returning grace to others.
I haven't heard of these before, they sound very important.

I am glad that you ar enlightened. Yes, they are very important, and they have made the world how it is so far

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 25 May 2020, 20:47

M Deedee wrote: ↑22 May 2020, 20:31 I agree with the author on this and my attention is drawn to returning grace to others, how amazing! This has made me more conscious in my dealing with others. Grace is a gift and we must enlighten others to be partakers of it too.

Yes, helping others don't have to be always materialistic. Showing others the correct path is also showing them grace

Free-man · Post by **Free-man** » 25 May 2020, 20:57

As the Bible quotes; Gods grace is sufficient for us.
It is normal for every Christian to face difficulties or crisis, but when we find our selves in such situation, Gods grace is needed to help us out. Then, when we are grace filled as Christians we can return grace to others in form of blessings.

Free-man · Post by **Free-man** » 25 May 2020, 21:10

As a Christian I have faced a lot of challenges in life that grace lifted me. One of my experiences was when I was facing issues with my grades in college. God sent me a helper as a friend. Someone who saw my challenges and helped out by constantly tutoring me. There and then my grades became better and I felt Gods grace working in my life. Later, I was also able to help others by passing across the grace and knowledge I had been bestowed upon.

Van112 · Post by **Van112** » 25 May 2020, 23:38

I believe the author is quite right in her perception about the life of a Christian. We are given crisis to help us grow as Christians, to help us practice living like Christ in a world that is filled with eartly temptations. By God's grace, we are given the necessary tools such as wisdom and strength and people along the way to help us overcome these crisis in our lives. And as Christians we are to give back or help others the same way without asking anything in return.

77Tee · Post by **77Tee** » 26 May 2020, 04:52

I agree with these three stages as I am currently experiencing those phases. According to the author, you experience a crisis, a few years ago I did too and faced trying moments. Then I received grace and now I'm in the stage of receiving and giving that grace to others.

ZettieOby · Post by **ZettieOby** » 26 May 2020, 07:22

As Christians there are times when crisis makes us question our faith. But when we choose to stand firm on God' word and promises, He gives us grace to go through it and come out victorious. We return the grace by sharing our testimonies with others going through crisis. And making them know that God's grace is sufficient for us.

Kemmy11 · Post by **Kemmy11** » 26 May 2020, 07:45

Many times we face challenge and the grace of God has always made us overcome them. Manytimes the grace of God has seen be through difficuties in my life and i have returned the grace by helping others in need. Although i am still learning more ways on returning grace.

ZettieOby · Post by **ZettieOby** » 26 May 2020, 08:17

The grace of God began when he sent His beloved to die for us and has been available to mankind since then. Reaching out to God during of crisis is the best decision anyone can make. Returning the grace by sharing our testimonies with others who are passing through trials also helps them to reach out to God too.

Sydney Nyamasoka · Post by **Sydney Nyamasoka** » 26 May 2020, 13:55

Sushan wrote: ↑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

Indeed, a better world.

gayscott · Post by **gayscott** » 26 May 2020, 13:57

Grace is often seen similar to mercy but takes it a step further. With mercy, you forgive and let whatever happened go without a punishment. There is still the relationship side of the ordeal. To me that's where grace comes in. It's shaking hands and embracing the person who hurt you . It's showing love toward them even though they do not deserve it. You do not truly know love until you can turn the hurt and vulnerability into peace , joy, and love. For a Christian, the motivation for giving grace is from our grace-giver, Jesus Christ. He gave grace to us by showing mercy, forgiveness, and love when we did not deserve it. As Christians we are asked to show that same grace to others. To give Grace to someone is to give them undeserved kindness, love, and mercy: in fact, when they deserve vengeance and punishment. That is what Christ did for us.

LyorBoone · Post by **LyorBoone** » 26 May 2020, 15:02

Sushan wrote: ↑25 May 2020, 20:40 Yes, it happens in a cyclical manner. And the order of the steps can be changed. These phases does not describe a whole life of a Christian, but giving others what they need is a more important fact in a Christian's life

I think the phases can occur in a cycle, but I also think they can easily blur together, occurring simultaneously. But that might depend on how long a phase lasts. If you can enter for a minute and then go back to another that has been developing over the course of a week, does second phase exit the other for that minute long process? Or does it not really matter for this Christian cycle?