Growing in Christ Christians

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their Word; That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou has sent Me, And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are One.  John, Chapter 17, verses 20-22.

I have been trying to go back through my feeble brain to remember what this reminds me of.  Well, I have finally figured it out.  There is a portion of my daily prayer which is, “Dear God, please dwell with us and in us now and always, and please have us dwell with You and in You now and always.”  That’s what it reminds me of!
The significance of this prayer is that our relationship with God is of no importance if it’s only one-sided.  We can ask God to dwell with us and in us, but if we choose not to act on that, we are lost.  If we dwell with Him and in Him, as well, we are united and open to the opportunity of becoming Growing in Christ Christians.

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

God's Peace Christian

Verily, verily, I say unto you.  He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.  And whatsoever ye shall ask in My Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If ye shall ask any thing in My Name, I will do it.  If ye love Me, Keep My Commandments.  And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever.  John, Chapter 14, verses 12-16.

When my son was born, he had to be rushed to a large hospital hours away from us for a life-threatening surgery.  It can be pretty lonely when the nurses bring out the babies for their mothers to hold and your arms are empty.  Fortunately, the Comforter (Holy Spirit) had given me what I call the Peace Which Passes All Understanding.  It’s a calm feeling when I would normally be really upset or extremely concerned.  Instead, as a God's Peace Christian, I felt calm knowing that God was taking excellent care of things so that I shouldn’t worry…and He did!
Here is a related passage:
*Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the Peace of God, Which Passeth All Understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians, Chapter 4, verses 6-7.

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Skeptical Christians

And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of Man should be glorified.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.  He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.  If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honour.  Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say?  Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.  Father, glorify Thy Name.  Then came there a Voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified It, and will glorify It again.  The people therefore, that stood by, and heard It said that It thundered: others said, An angel spake to Him.  Jesus answered and said, This Voice came not because of Me, but for your sakes.  John, Chapter 12, verses 23-30.

I love the way Jesus made the comparison between His life and a kernel of wheat that dies, but through its death brings forth much fruit.  Jesus was willing to give up His life for us so that we could be forgiven from our sins.  Yet, we are often Skeptical Christians which seems awfully ungrateful after all Jesus has done for us.  Jesus goes on to say that those who are willing to give their lives for Him will have eternal life.  Are we willing to give our worldly lives over to God and become examples of how Jesus works in us?  That’s what it takes!
Here is a related passage:
*He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it.  Matthew, Chapter 10, verse 39.

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Need Proof Christian

On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet Him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the Name of the Lord.  And Jesus, when He had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Zion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt. These things understood not His disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of Him, and that they had done these things unto Him.  John, Chapter 12, verses 12-16.

This reminds me of a really good instructor who tells you before-hand what you’re going to learn.  That way you can identify the important information when you see it.  The really good instructor gives you a variety of examples to prove a point.  That’s what I see happening in the Bible.
The Old Testament tells us we are looking for the Savior and what He will do and say, along with what things will happen to Him when He comes.  The New Testament not only tells about Jesus fulfilling these things that had been predicted, but tells of all the miracles that He did, as proof to those who are doubtful.  These things are verified through different people who described what Jesus said and how He saved us from our sins through His death and Resurrection.  If a Need Proof Christian has any doubts, reading the Bible would help them see how Jesus’ life is no coincidence.
This is one of the many passages from the Old Testament that foretells of Jesus:
*Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having Salvation: lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.  Zechariah, Chapter 9, verse 9.
Here is one of the related New Testament passages that show how Jesus had fulfilled the ancient prophesy:


*And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto Me.  And if any man say aught unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.  And this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Zion, Behold; thy King cometh sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.  Matthew, Chapter 21, verses 1-5.

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.
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