Quick fix to Christ likeness?

[Laura-bell]

This has been on my mind for sometime and after my drive home from work last night I wanted to mention this and see everyone's perspective on it.

Have ya'll noticed that there are an awful lot of "Christian" books out there?
You know the kind I'm talking about. The kind that someone realized that this is how they got closer to God and so therefore it will work for everyone.
I am guilty of buying those in the past. I stopped buying them because I realized that just because it works for them doesn't mean that it will work for me. Then I looked around and saw everyone raving about this or that book. And yet they didn't seem to grow or change. Maybe they walked away with something learned. But it is usually in their heads and not their hearts. I'm not saying that people can't grow by reading the literature of others, but it just seems that whenever there's a new "how to" book on the market everyone grabs it up. And few walk away with any real grow out of it.

So here's what it boils down to for me.
Philipians 2:12 .....work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
I get three things out of this part of scripture

1. work out, it is a work out being a Christian. It's not easy, in fact Jesus promised us tribulation in this life. Growth takes time. It's a walk, and you can't take more than one step at a time. Step by step, from glory to glory.

2. your own salvation, just because it was helpful to one doesn't mean it will be helpful to all. Phil 2:13 God knows how to get some growth out of you, therefore read His Word more than another's.

3. with fear and trembling, do not take your salvation lightly, thinking that you can just get there in a day. And that you are going to be all that. Be HUMBLE.

But out of this I more fully understand Romans 5:3-5
v3. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
v4. and patience, experience, and experience, hope:
v5. and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Good news, it takes time for a reason!:clap

[bizzibeee]

This has been on my mind for sometime and after my drive home from work last night I wanted to mention this and see everyone's perspective on it.

Have ya'll noticed that there are an awful lot of "Christian" books out there?
You know the kind I'm talking about. The kind that someone realized that this is how they got closer to God and so therefore it will work for everyone.
I am guilty of buying those in the past. I stopped buying them because I realized that just because it works for them doesn't mean that it will work for me. Then I looked around and saw everyone raving about this or that book. And yet they didn't seem to grow or change. Maybe they walked away with something learned. But it is usually in their heads and not their hearts. I'm not saying that people can't grow by reading the literature of others, but it just seems that whenever there's a new "how to" book on the market everyone grabs it up. And few walk away with any real grow out of it.

So here's what it boils down to for me.
Philipians 2:12 .....work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
I get three things out of this part of scripture

1. work out, it is a work out being a Christian. It's not easy, in fact Jesus promised us tribulation in this life. Growth takes time. It's a walk, and you can't take more than one step at a time. Step by step, from glory to glory.

2. your own salvation, just because it was helpful to one doesn't mean it will be helpful to all. Phil 2:13 God knows how to get some growth out of you, therefore read His Word more than another's.

3. with fear and trembling, do not take your salvation lightly, thinking that you can just get there in a day. And that you are going to be all that. Be HUMBLE.

But out of this I more fully understand Romans 5:3-5
v3. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
v4. and patience, experience, and experience, hope:
v5. and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Good news, it takes time for a reason!:clap

Amen Laura. We must take up our cross daily and deny ourselves. This is the only way to live for Jesus, to partake of His sufferings. Like James 1 says,

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

:thumb

[Laura-bell]

hey bizzi.:): Wasn't sure if anybody was alive at this time of the evening.

[Strnghrt]

This has been on my mind for sometime and after my drive home from work last night I wanted to mention this and see everyone's perspective on it.

Have ya'll noticed that there are an awful lot of "Christian" books out there?
You know the kind I'm talking about. The kind that someone realized that this is how they got closer to God and so therefore it will work for everyone.
I am guilty of buying those in the past. I stopped buying them because I realized that just because it works for them doesn't mean that it will work for me. Then I looked around and saw everyone raving about this or that book. And yet they didn't seem to grow or change. Maybe they walked away with something learned. But it is usually in their heads and not their hearts. I'm not saying that people can't grow by reading the literature of others, but it just seems that whenever there's a new "how to" book on the market everyone grabs it up. And few walk away with any real grow out of it.

So here's what it boils down to for me.
Philipians 2:12 .....work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
I get three things out of this part of scripture

1. work out, it is a work out being a Christian. It's not easy, in fact Jesus promised us tribulation in this life. Growth takes time. It's a walk, and you can't take more than one step at a time. Step by step, from glory to glory.

2. your own salvation, just because it was helpful to one doesn't mean it will be helpful to all. Phil 2:13 God knows how to get some growth out of you, therefore read His Word more than another's.

3. with fear and trembling, do not take your salvation lightly, thinking that you can just get there in a day. And that you are going to be all that. Be HUMBLE.

But out of this I more fully understand Romans 5:3-5
v3. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
v4. and patience, experience, and experience, hope:
v5. and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Good news, it takes time for a reason!:clap
I don't read most Christian Non Fiction anymore because it almost seems like it's become a money making scheme. They all say something different and yet the same. Like most other self help books out there. I still LOVE Christian fiction but don't read the non fiction.

[Laura-bell]

I don't read most Christian Non Fiction anymore because it almost seems like it's become a money making scheme. They all say something different and yet the same. Like most other self help books out there. I still LOVE Christian fiction but don't read the non fiction.


Amen. I've gotten to the point that I get disgusted with all the new stuff out there. For example right after Mel Gibson put out the movie "the passion of Christ" everybody started putting out their own version of "passion" books, videos, yada yada yada. They ain't doin' nothin' but prostituting God!:mad

[SeaDreamer]

Laura-bell,

I know exactly what you mean. My husband and I have been talking about this for a long time. I sometimes wander the local christian book store in disbelief. It's sad.

I too have wasted my fair share of time reading these quick-fix books and finally came to the same conclusion as you......our walk it just that, a walk, step by step......TINY step by step. And it will last our lifetime. :):

[Laura-bell]

Laura-bell,

I know exactly what you mean. My husband and I have been talking about this for a long time. I sometimes wander the local christian book store in disbelief. It's sad.

I too have wasted my fair share of time reading these quick-fix books and finally came to the same conclusion as you......our walk it just that, a walk, step by step......TINY step by step. And it will last our lifetime. :):


Amen seadreamer. I've written down so many insights that God has given me, that I too could write a book, but I doubt I ever will for that very reason. I could share all of the wonderful golden nuggets in His treasure trove, but I don't think it would help somebody grow. I believe that's the job of the Holy Spirit and the pastor's and teacher's of the church. God will reveal His Word to us in His own time.

But the key is we truely need to desire the pure milk of God's Word, we need to desire to grow closer to Him and to be willing to put forth a little effort or we will never grow. Our growth would be stunted.

It's just like any other relationship. There's a certain amount of work and effort you need to put into it in order for it to grow/blossom. The relationship with God involves the work of fasting, prayer, and reading and asking God to reveal His Word to you. Not expecting somebody else to do it all the time. I mean it's ok to read other people's works from time to time, but don't count on it to help you grow.