T-Nation Christians

Off Topic Politics and World Issues
21

It is great to see all of the Christians on T-Nation. This is a tough site to go on sometime because of all the talk on sex and some of the graphic pictures but we are to be “salt and light.” I suggest any Christian who cannot resist the temptation of some of the pictures and threads posted on this site should not come on here.

Saying that, God has been doing some amazing things in my life. When I was a newlywed (over 10 years ago) I was very active in evangelizing to the lost. Since I have had 5 kids since then, I have not been as active in church as I once was. I have been praying lately that God would use me other than ministering to my family. Out of the blue 3 weeks ago I get a call from an acquaintance who says there is an opening for a chaplain for one of the new professional sports teams in the city I live and they had me in mind.

Just 4 weeks before the call, I was doing a search on the internet to see how I could become a chaplain for this team. I didn’t follow through with calling anyone after that and then got the phone call. It is an incredible opportunity for me to minister to these pro players and I am blessed to have the opportunity. This is a part time ministry opportunity but I am very excited that God would choose me.

Fellow T Nation Christians, please pray for my ministry and that I will not rely on my power but the Holy Spirit. Pray things will open up for me to win people to Christ and to disciple the Christians on the team. It should be challenging but exciting.

By the way my favorite memory verse is Hebrews 12:1-3

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Continue to speak the Truth (Matt 28:19).

22

[quote]Kuz wrote:
JPBear wrote:
God has changed me so much since I stopped drinking six weeks ago. I have been a Christian for 10 years but have not grown spiritually for the last seven. Now I am surrendering my life to God.

Nice to see a different kind of thread ending up on the site. I have a question I am hoping JPBear or someone else might be able to answer.

I’m a lifelong Catholic, but I do very much enjoy learning about other people’s faiths. It’s just an endlessly fascinating topic to me to understand how other people worship. When you can actually have a discussion about this kind of thing and NOT a debate, it’s refreshing. While I know of people who are “born again Christians” and hear the term quite often, I am not 100% clear on what it means, since it seems to mean different things to different people.

Can anyone who considers themselves born again explain a little bit? Is it because a total re-commitment to being a Christian as JP describes above? Is there something different about it from how you might have practiced your faith on a daily basis before? What if someone was just as dedicated throughout their life in their faith? Do they require being born again?

Anyhoo, thanks for setting up a great thread and I am really curious to hear people’s thoughts!

Kuz[/quote]

The term comes from this passage in John 3:

Joh 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Joh 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Joh 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

Joh 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Joh 3:11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

Joh 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Joh 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

According to Jesus, it is a necessity to enter God’s kingdom.

I am sure further discussion will follow.

23

All I know is that I would be nothing without him!

“4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53

24

Relient-k

[quote]pimpinthebox wrote:
Alpha…praise the Lord man.
That is awesome. I remember being a new believer and how everything was blowing my mind, and how different your thought becomes.

Some great teachers to read on…

Robert Murray McCheyne - only lived 30 years, and his faith and dedication to the Lord was remarkable. (1800’s)

Jonathan Edwards - read and study some of his sermon’s in MA. he would preach from a rock to thousands, even when sick and dying. (mid 1700’s)

I don’t know how many of you listen to Christian music, but if you like to rock, here are some bands that I listen to and help promote…
Pillar
Project 86
POD
Seven System
Seventh Seal
Disciple
Day of Fire
Blindside
Pax 217
Jeremy Camp

Nooge[/quote]

25

[quote]deanec wrote:
The term comes from this passage in John 3:

Joh 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Joh 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Joh 3:9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

Joh 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Joh 3:11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

Joh 3:12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
Joh 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

According to Jesus, it is a necessity to enter God’s kingdom.

I am sure further discussion will follow.[/quote]

Thank you for the reference, dean. That does help out somewhat although I would certainly like to hear some more discussion on this. I think maybe I need to refine my original question a little bit.

If someone is already a Christian and devoted to God… do they need to be born again? My thought in reading those sections of the Gospel of John is that he is speaking to someone who is not a follower of his, so he would need to be born again as a believer. Or am I missing something?

Again, thank you for the reference. Looking forward to some discussion.

Kuz

26

Kuz,

This is a great question. A person needs to make a conscious decision to accept the forgiveness that Christ offers through his death on the cross.

In doing this, a person also embraces the new life that Christ gives. This means we must give our hearts, minds, bodies and our will to the Lord.

The first part is a one-time deal, but the second will be a lifelong struggle for Christians on earth. We will war against our sinful flesh until we are taken to heaven.

Embracing the Spirit will produce outward changes in the believer’s life. We cannot become holy through our own efforts, but we strive towards holiness as we allow the Spirit to work in us.

There are many who are saved and believe but who allow their flesh to win the spiritual battle within them most of the time. These people will go to heaven, but their reward in heaven will not be as great. However, I should note here that once you allow the Spirit to take control of your life, you will not be working for the reward, but out of a genuine love for the Lord.

Those who grew up in the church often have the same questions you do “am I really saved”. I know my husband struggles with this. All you have to ask yourself is, do you believe that Jesus is God’s only son, and that his death on the cross pardons all your sin (past, present and future) in God’s eyes? Also, do you believe that this is the only path to God and do you consider yourself a child of God? If the answer is yes, then your denomination and the way you worship does not really matter, you are a born-again believer (dead to sin, alive in Christ).

As far as baptism goes, the act of baptism does not save, although all believers should be baptised as a symbol of dying to the flesh and rising in the new life of Christ. We also do this as a public declaration of faith (His children will not be ashamed to proclaim God).

Jessica

27

Don’t forget Demon Hunter:

http://www.solidstaterecords.com/media/demonhunter/videos/demonhunter_undying_hi.mov

http://www.demonhunter.net/notready.php

http://www.demonhunter.net/infected.php

28

[quote]playmaker08 wrote:
dont forget about 12 stones[/quote]

true true

29

[quote]truthandlife wrote:
It is great to see all of the Christians on T-Nation. This is a tough site to go on sometime because of all the talk on sex and some of the graphic pictures but we are to be “salt and light.” I suggest any Christian who cannot resist the temptation of some of the pictures and threads posted on this site should not come on here.

Saying that, God has been doing some amazing things in my life. When I was a newlywed (over 10 years ago) I was very active in evangelizing to the lost. Since I have had 5 kids since then, I have not been as active in church as I once was. I have been praying lately that God would use me other than ministering to my family. Out of the blue 3 weeks ago I get a call from an acquaintance who says there is an opening for a chaplain for one of the new professional sports teams in the city I live and they had me in mind.

Just 4 weeks before the call, I was doing a search on the internet to see how I could become a chaplain for this team. I didn’t follow through with calling anyone after that and then got the phone call. It is an incredible opportunity for me to minister to these pro players and I am blessed to have the opportunity. This is a part time ministry opportunity but I am very excited that God would choose me.

Fellow T Nation Christians, please pray for my ministry and that I will not rely on my power but the Holy Spirit. Pray things will open up for me to win people to Christ and to disciple the Christians on the team. It should be challenging but exciting.

By the way my favorite memory verse is Hebrews 12:1-3

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Continue to speak the Truth (Matt 28:19).

[/quote]

you will be on my list.

30

Great thread!

I’ve gone to church since birth but wasn’t saved until I was 12. Of course, I went through my teen years partying and doing things I knew I shouldn’t do. I continued going to church all that time but still not being the person God expected. After the birth of my daughter 10 years ago, I began to realize that you can’t be a part time Christian. Jesus wasn’t my part time savior.

God has blessed me many times over. Much more than I deserve. I have a beautiful wife who is the most amazing person I’ve ever known. I have 2 beautiful children who I can’t stand being away from for more than 5 minutes.

I still have my daily stuggles with temptation and life in general but find through an active church life and prayer, I can make it through.

God Bless you all.

31

Kuz,

Some people might have a life changing event, and know they are saved. Others might not know an exact time and place that they are saved. But being born again means that you have realized that your old life is dead, and your new life is in Christ. I do not believe that you have to be baptized to go to heaven. However, I do believe that if you are saved, it must be done as your first act of obedience. It represents the death and resurection of Christ, just as the death of the old you, and the rising of the new you washed clean by the blood of Christ.
If you are one of HIS, you know. And you will have everlasting life.

Romans 6:4 - Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Matthew 24:22 - And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

Matthew 24:24 - For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Matthew 24:31 - And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

2 Timothy 2:10 - Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Revelation 2:10 - Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

32

[quote]JPBear wrote:
Kuz,

This is a great question. A person needs to make a conscious decision to accept the forgiveness that Christ offers through his death on the cross.

In doing this, a person also embraces the new life that Christ gives. This means we must give our hearts, minds, bodies and our will to the Lord.

The first part is a one-time deal, but the second will be a lifelong struggle for Christians on earth. We will war against our sinful flesh until we are taken to heaven.

Embracing the Spirit will produce outward changes in the believer’s life. We cannot become holy through our own efforts, but we strive towards holiness as we allow the Spirit to work in us.

There are many who are saved and believe but who allow their flesh to win the spiritual battle within them most of the time. These people will go to heaven, but their reward in heaven will not be as great. However, I should note here that once you allow the Spirit to take control of your life, you will not be working for the reward, but out of a genuine love for the Lord.

Those who grew up in the church often have the same questions you do “am I really saved”. I know my husband struggles with this. All you have to ask yourself is, do you believe that Jesus is God’s only son, and that his death on the cross pardons all your sin (past, present and future) in God’s eyes? Also, do you believe that this is the only path to God and do you consider yourself a child of God? If the answer is yes, then your denomination and the way you worship does not really matter, you are a born-again believer (dead to sin, alive in Christ).

As far as baptism goes, the act of baptism does not save, although all believers should be baptised as a symbol of dying to the flesh and rising in the new life of Christ. We also do this as a public declaration of faith (His children will not be ashamed to proclaim God).

Jessica
[/quote]

Jessica,

Thank you for such a well-thought out explanation. That’s actually incredibly helpful. My apologies for not writing more now… but that work thing beckons. :wink: I’ll write more later. Really good topic. It’s encouraging to see people who are able to have an actual discussion on something like this.

Kevin

33

[quote]JPBear wrote:
Kuz,

This is a great question. A person needs to make a conscious decision to accept the forgiveness that Christ offers through his death on the cross.

In doing this, a person also embraces the new life that Christ gives. This means we must give our hearts, minds, bodies and our will to the Lord.

The first part is a one-time deal, but the second will be a lifelong struggle for Christians on earth. We will war against our sinful flesh until we are taken to heaven.

Embracing the Spirit will produce outward changes in the believer’s life. We cannot become holy through our own efforts, but we strive towards holiness as we allow the Spirit to work in us.

There are many who are saved and believe but who allow their flesh to win the spiritual battle within them most of the time. These people will go to heaven, but their reward in heaven will not be as great. However, I should note here that once you allow the Spirit to take control of your life, you will not be working for the reward, but out of a genuine love for the Lord.

Those who grew up in the church often have the same questions you do “am I really saved”. I know my husband struggles with this. All you have to ask yourself is, do you believe that Jesus is God’s only son, and that his death on the cross pardons all your sin (past, present and future) in God’s eyes? Also, do you believe that this is the only path to God and do you consider yourself a child of God? If the answer is yes, then your denomination and the way you worship does not really matter, you are a born-again believer (dead to sin, alive in Christ).

As far as baptism goes, the act of baptism does not save, although all believers should be baptised as a symbol of dying to the flesh and rising in the new life of Christ. We also do this as a public declaration of faith (His children will not be ashamed to proclaim God).

Jessica
[/quote]

I couldn’t have said it better, JP!
Congrats on kicking the drinking, and God bless you!

Kuz, given the more recent responses in other threads towards Christians, I really appreciate your comment on “discussion without debate”.
There have been some times that I have gotten downright discouraged by the comments on Christianity on this site, and it is refreshing to see a positive thread on the subject.

34

dude, i did forget demon hunter…they are definately tight. got two of their songs on my newest “Rock your Heart” mix.

35

[quote]dukefan4ever wrote:
Great thread!

I’ve gone to church since birth but wasn’t saved until I was 12. Of course, I went through my teen years partying and doing things I knew I shouldn’t do. I continued going to church all that time but still not being the person God expected. After the birth of my daughter 10 years ago, I began to realize that you can’t be a part time Christian. Jesus wasn’t my part time savior.

God has blessed me many times over. Much more than I deserve. I have a beautiful wife who is the most amazing person I’ve ever known. I have 2 beautiful children who I can’t stand being away from for more than 5 minutes.

I still have my daily stuggles with temptation and life in general but find through an active church life and prayer, I can make it through.

God Bless you all.[/quote]

you should have daily struggles being a duke fan!!! :wink:
GO ILLINI…yes, they’re blowing it.

36

[quote]mica617 wrote:
Kuz, given the more recent responses in other threads towards Christians, I really appreciate your comment on “discussion without debate”.
There have been some times that I have gotten downright discouraged by the comments on Christianity on this site, and it is refreshing to see a positive thread on the subject.[/quote]

Mica,

On a topic such as this, I like the notion of discussion without debate. I can see that several people on this thread are born again Christians whereas I am Catholic… and although we differ in our views and beliefs, I think the differences are what make things interesting. To me, it’s great. Without discussion, you never get the chance to come to a better understanding of your fellow man. There’s enough arguing going on as it is…

Kevin

37

[quote]pimpinthebox wrote:
dukefan4ever wrote:
Great thread!

I’ve gone to church since birth but wasn’t saved until I was 12. Of course, I went through my teen years partying and doing things I knew I shouldn’t do. I continued going to church all that time but still not being the person God expected. After the birth of my daughter 10 years ago, I began to realize that you can’t be a part time Christian. Jesus wasn’t my part time savior.

God has blessed me many times over. Much more than I deserve. I have a beautiful wife who is the most amazing person I’ve ever known. I have 2 beautiful children who I can’t stand being away from for more than 5 minutes.

I still have my daily stuggles with temptation and life in general but find through an active church life and prayer, I can make it through.

God Bless you all.

you should have daily struggles being a duke fan!!! :wink:
GO ILLINI…yes, they’re blowing it.[/quote]

DUKE RULES!!!

If I’m not mistaken, Kuz is a Huskie fan. I can’t wait till March Madness.

38

i believe in Jah

39

[quote]dukefan4ever wrote:
pimpinthebox wrote:
dukefan4ever wrote:
Great thread!

I’ve gone to church since birth but wasn’t saved until I was 12. Of course, I went through my teen years partying and doing things I knew I shouldn’t do. I continued going to church all that time but still not being the person God expected. After the birth of my daughter 10 years ago, I began to realize that you can’t be a part time Christian. Jesus wasn’t my part time savior.

God has blessed me many times over. Much more than I deserve. I have a beautiful wife who is the most amazing person I’ve ever known. I have 2 beautiful children who I can’t stand being away from for more than 5 minutes.

I still have my daily stuggles with temptation and life in general but find through an active church life and prayer, I can make it through.

God Bless you all.

you should have daily struggles being a duke fan!!! :wink:
GO ILLINI…yes, they’re blowing it.

DUKE RULES!!!

If I’m not mistaken, Kuz is a Huskie fan. I can’t wait till March Madness.
[/quote]

Believe me, my friend… all Christian charity goes right out the window when it comes to Husky Hoops. heh heh heh

40

Kuz,

I have known many born again Christians who admitted that before they found Christianity they didn’t exactly lead the life of a model citizen. So in my view, the born again refers to people who obtained a fresh start on life by turning to religion. But that comes back to your question of whether a lifelong devout Christian needs to be born again.

I may be wrong in my interpretation of the term born again; this has just been my observation. And I don’t mean this in a negative way either - if religion can turn someone’s life around, great. I’m like Kuz in that I am interested in religion and its affects on people.

So, if I participate in this thread and ask a question, I’m actually asking a question and not trying to stir up a debate.