Having A Personsal Relationship With Jesus Christ

[MariaG]

I realize now that I made a big mistake.

I had not started many new threads in anticipation of Lent and not spending time here on this site, but more time reading the bible and praying, but this thread popped up and caught my eye.

My apologies in advance for not responding to this thread for the Lenten season.

To clarify my last question, for others, and for whatisthetruth, I don’t understand as I said in posts 16 and 17 why not hearing the exact words “having a personal relationship with Christ” which are cultural and not actually biblical should be disturbing to anyone.

The gospel message is preached in the Catholic Church. It is deeply embedded in every prayer and action. And although those words certainly can embody the gospel message, they are not actually in scripture and no one should fault a church for not using new terms that come along and are more cultural than biblical.

Ah well, May you all have a fruitful Lenten Season.

Your sister in Christ,
Maria

 

[MariaG]

Who says that protestants don’t also accept Christ into our very heart, mind, body and souls? It is pretty presumptuous to think that catholics have the hold on this.

Do you believe in the Real Presence of Christ? Most non-denominational and nonsacramental Christians, the ones that talk in terms of “personal relationship with Christ”, do not.

If not, then you have not accepted Christ into your body in this very intimate manner or even believe it is possible. This is not presumptuous. It is just reality.

If you do in fact believe in the Real Presence of Christ in communion, that when you eat the bread and drink the cup you eat His flesh and drink His blood, and not just symbolically, then I will not tell you otherwise.

Respectfully,
Maria

 

[whatisthetruth]

bump
Oh my, do I believe what I see

I would not accept anything this person has to say as meaningful.

Why CalmDownWisWins, is attacking easier than trying to understand.

Lets attack and start a false rumor about another one of those “Protestants” than try to understand him.

Oops I am sorry CalmDownWisWins, please forgive me. I just called you, a Christian, a liar and falsely accused you.

CalmDownWisWins it is totally against my nature to judge anyone as a liar and I did just that.

Please forgive me.

So let me comment on what you said because you always tell the truth especially about “protestants”

Hi all, since CalmDownWisWins has suggested from his heart

"not to

accept anything I have to say as meaningful" I have regretably made a decision that I wish I did not have to make.

Since, I can not be sure CalmDownWisWins has you second guessing anything I post from this point forward, I have decided to post anything more on any thread at CAF.

I will not waste my time expressing my heart, if you are not going to believe what I write anyway.

**So, why should I post? **

Congratulations, CalmDownWisWins, you have you wish.

**I AM DONE.

PERIOD!!!**

Are you happy CalmDownWisWins?
How are you feeling right now?

** ?

?

?

?

:clapping: ?

:banghead: ? **

If I sound a little hurt, you dang right I am.
I am so sorry it came down to this.

BTW CalmDownWisWins, no need to apologize to me, I forgive you for hurting me.

But I got bad news, I can not clear the pain you caused against God by hurting me. I pray that He accepts your sincere confession.

I really **do not care **at this point if you believe I mean it.

I am so wrong in venting but maybe this is what it will take to get my message across.

Then again,

I am just a “protestant”
Why should you care?.

Maybe by seeing the hurt first hand, might be cause for some to start caring about this nonsense between the Catholics and the “protestants”.

As some are welcoming me home to Christ’s one true church,
others are like CalmDownWisWins.

Why should I come back if what I say has no meaning to you?
Is that thaught about me going to change overnight should I walk through your door tomorrow?

Who believes in thier heart of hearts I feel God’s love right now?

Oh God, please forgive me. Of all I said above,
I am so sorry God, but you know my hurt.
I ask forgiveness of you all at CAF for lashing out.
I am sorry. For any pain I just caused by anything I said here or anywhere else.
In no way do I set out to hurt anyone.

I feel guilty in asking this but,

If by chance you are one who valued our conversation and you have any question of me or thaught you like to share I invite you to PM.

I will gladly communicate with you in PM if you are sincere.

If you do nothing else, may I ask you to read the following.
“My Signature Letter”

Even though CalmDownWisWins does not believe it, it would mean a lot to me if just one of you believes anything I wrote and let me know, please…thank you.

I ask of you as a Christian brother/sister just that one small favor.

To most of you, thank you again for sharing your thaughts, beliefs and most important love with me while I was here on the threads.

For the most part It has been a wonderful visit.
I may come back to the threads, but for now,
thanks to CalmDownWisWins, (BTW may God bless you too),
it is not a good idea to post again for a while.

One day I might understand, why you were compelled to do that CalmDownWisWins, God only knows.

God bless you all

truth

 

[grandfather]

Catholics as a whole are not giving me a consistant answer that will not be disputed by even with another Catholic

Truth

It is certainly true that Catholics may give unconsistant answers on any doctrinal issue. There are different degrees of understanding and or confusion. It is however possible to find out what the Catholic Church teaches about any doctrinal issue. On the other hand Protestants having unleashed the phenomenon of denominationalism upon Christendom, and now not knowing what to do about it, non-denominationalism (an oxy-moron) are nothing but inconsistant. There is no way to find out what Protestants believe about a doctrine, because there is no authority in Protestantism to define its beliefs. Their only authority is the Bible and they disagree on what it means. Whether the issue is moral theology, sacramental theology, if it is possible to lose salvation, divorce and remarriage, the morality of abortion, the system unleashed by Luther has no means of of coming to assent. Unity in faith, consistency, is impossible. It is ironic that a Protestant would claim their is no consistancy in Catholicism and not see this.

 

[MariaG]

Oh my, do I believe what I see

Why CalmDownWisWins, is attacking easier than trying to understand.

Lets attack and start a false rumor about another one of those “Protestants” than try to understand him.

Oops I am sorry CalmDownWisWins, please forgive me. I just called you, a Christian, a liar and falsely accused you.

CalmDownWisWins it is totally against my nature to judge anyone as a liar and I did just that.

Please forgive me.

…God bless you all

truth

Why do you believe the servant should be greater than the master? As Christ suffered, so should we.

On a more practical level, there is a great feature called ignore. You can participate on the forums but have particular people’s posts blocked so one person doesn’t drive you away.

God Bless,
Maria

 

[cradlecathlic26]

not sure if anyone has noticed, but catholics(most) do not condemn someone for being protestant, but run into a Baptist and all hell breaks loose, the catholic will be told he is going to hell, that he needs to be saved, and sometimes he is not christian. Catholics are taught not to judge and do not teach poorly on any protestant denomination. I heard a serman today that just blew my mind. A first baptist church pastor said a serman about how the Roman Catholic Church is the Whore of Babylon. It was the first time for me to hear it straight from a pastors mouth. Pretty insane stuff.

 

[Singinbeauty]

not sure if anyone has noticed, but catholics(most) do not condemn someone for being protestant, but run into a Baptist and all hell breaks loose, the catholic will be told he is going to hell, that he needs to be saved, and sometimes he is not christian. Catholics are taught not to judge and do not teach poorly on any protestant denomination. I heard a serman today that just blew my mind. A first baptist church pastor said a serman about how the Roman Catholic Church is the Whore of Babylon. It was the first time for me to hear it straight from a pastors mouth. Pretty insane stuff.

So is saying protestants are from Satan… but both sides say pretty crazy things EVERY day…

 

[ILoveJesusToo]

not sure if anyone has noticed, but catholics(most) do not condemn someone for being protestant, but run into a Baptist and all hell breaks loose, the catholic will be told he is going to hell, that he needs to be saved, and sometimes he is not christian. Catholics are taught not to judge and do not teach poorly on any protestant denomination. I heard a serman today that just blew my mind. A first baptist church pastor said a serman about how the Roman Catholic Church is the Whore of Babylon. It was the first time for me to hear it straight from a pastors mouth. Pretty insane stuff.

wow, that is not right , sorry you heard that.

ILoveJesusToo

 

[grandfather]

It seems that one of whatistruth’s questions is about is it necessary for him to reembrace Catholicism. The real question is what must we do to be saved. The Protestant answer is that we must have faith. We must accept Jesus as savior in faith. The Catholic answer is from my little catechism. “What must I do to be saved”? “In order to be saved I must worship God in faith, hope and love”. So this is where the accept Jesus as my personal savior Protestant formula comes from. But if Catholics are right then ity is necessary to not only believe in Jesus, but to love Him also. Protestants do not believe this. They say faith alone saves. But if Catholics are right, Whatis truth, then we have to ask ourselves if we love God. How do we know? Scripture tells us. Saint John writes in his epistle: “The love of God consists in this, that we keep His commandments”. Jesus says, “If a man loves me He will keep my commands”.

So if you believe love of God is necessary for salvation then you can know if you love God and are saved by examining your conscience. Do you obey God or do you sin. Protestants believe from Luther that obedience (love) is not necessary. They only need to believe Jesus is the savior who died for their sins. The think that somehow God overlooks their sins. But Jesus tells His apostles that they should “go into all the world and preach the gospel of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”.

So Whatistruth, if you want to know you are saved ask yourself the question, have you repented of your sins? Jesus sets us free, It is not simply a saying. He really gives us the power to overcome sin, to get victory, and that power is in the sacraments. This is the witness of all the saints.

Jesus began His public preaching ministry from Peter’s boat. The same boat was tossed by storms and everyone inside got scared, but Jesus preserved them all. Whatis, are you in Peter’s boat? If not I hope you know how to walk on water.

 

[cradlecathlic26]

You must not know much about the catholic faith, because when we make our confirmation, we pubicly say that we “believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior” We just dont believe in the Faith alone theory, or the OSAS. We catholics believe that it is a liffe long journey and does not stop once we confirmate.

 

[bklynbrat]

Quote:
Originally Posted by cradlecathlic26
not sure if anyone has noticed, but catholics(most) do not condemn someone for being protestant, but run into a Baptist and all hell breaks loose, the catholic will be told he is going to hell, that he needs to be saved, and sometimes he is not christian. Catholics are taught not to judge and do not teach poorly on any protestant denomination. I heard a serman today that just blew my mind. A first baptist church pastor said a serman about how the Roman Catholic Church is the Whore of Babylon. It was the first time for me to hear it straight from a pastors mouth. Pretty insane stuff.

So is saying protestants are from Satan… but both sides say pretty crazy things EVERY day…

There’s a difference here SinginBeauty. There are a lot of Protestant pastor’s that spend their Sunday sermons bashing & spreading lies (ok, maybe I shouldn’t say lies, maybe I’ll just call it ignorance on their behalf) about the Catholic Church to their congregations. What good does that do for anyone? There’s enough hate in this world as it is without Christians bashing other Christians. It’s rediculous IMO. And the saddest part to me is that these people take their pastor’s words as truth. And so the vicious cycle continues.

In my own experience I have never heard a priest center his homilies on Protestants. Ever. And I’m sure there are other’s here who can attest to that too.

As for your quote, I know there are individual Catholics out there that are as bad as individual Protestants when it comes to bashing the other & I cringe seeing or reading that kind of stuff myself so I try to avoid it as much as I can.

God Bless

 

[ILoveJesusToo]

Hi Grandfather, I am not familiar with the Protestant religion, I never been in a protestant church.

I am sorry to butt in with your converation with whatisthetruth
but you said a couple things about protestants which I was not aware

If I may comment an a couple things you said, you will see what I mean

BTW I am a bible believing Christian

The real question is what must we do to be saved.
The Protestant answer is
that we must have faith.

I agree

We **must accept Jesus as savior **in faith.

I agree

The Catholic answer is from my little catechism. “What must I do to be saved”?

“In order to be saved I must worship God in faith, hope and love”. So this is where the accept Jesus as my personal savior Protestant formula comes from.

I believe “worship God in faith, hope and love” is important, however I am curious,
If I may ask you,

what do you believe it means to have Jesus as your “Personal Saviour”?

But if Catholics are right then it is necessary to not only believe in Jesus, but to love Him also.

I agree too

Protestants do not believe this.

Wow I did not realize this, Are you sure?

They say faith alone saves.

I agree

But if Catholics are right, Whatis truth, then we have to ask ourselves if we love God. How do we know? Scripture tells us. Saint John writes in his epistle: “The love of God consists in this, that we keep His commandments”. Jesus says, “If a man loves me He will keep my commands”.

I agree

So if you believe love of God is necessary for salvation then you can know if you love God and are saved by examining your conscience. Do you obey God or do you sin.

I do not know about you. As much as I try to obey God every day of my life, there will be days I fall and sin.

Protestants believe from Luther that obedience (love) is not necessary.

If what you say is true, then I am glad I am not protestant.

They only need to believe Jesus is the savior who died for their sins.

I almost agree. if you said,
“They need to believe Jesus is the savior who died for their sins”
then I would agree with your statement.

Again if what you say is true, then I am glad I am not protestant.

The think that somehow God overlooks their sins.

I can not imagine anyone would think God overlooks sins.

But Jesus tells His apostles that they should “go into all the world and preach the gospel of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”.

Agree.

So Whatistruth, if you want to know you are saved ask yourself the question, have you repented of your sins? Jesus sets us free, It is not simply a saying. He really gives us the power to overcome sin, to get victory, and that power is in the sacraments. This is the witness of all the saints.

I agree, and the only sacrament I have not received is Holy Orders.

Thats the priesthood right?

Jesus began His public preaching ministry from Peter’s boat. The same boat was tossed by storms and everyone inside got scared, but Jesus preserved them all.

My favorite story, I played the part of one of the apostles in the boat in an Easter Performance to the song
God of Wonders
God of Wonders music video
Thank you and God bless

ILoveJesusToo

 

[Memaw]

So is saying protestants are from Satan… but both sides say pretty crazy things EVERY day…

This is getting really way out of hand. What the Catholic Church teaches and what some Catholics say are sometimes, sadly two very different things. The Church has never taught that protestants are from satan. The protestant reformation has done such great harm by dividing Christianity that it has come to all these silly accusations among us. If we would study the Early Church Fathers and Catholic Church History and real History, and Sacred Scripture, we would all learn that Jesus founded ONE CHURCH. He did NOT intend for His Church to split in many different directions and loose much of what HE taught us. History proves there was only one Christian Church for 1,500 years before the protestant reformation and that is the ONE HOLY CATHOLIC and APOSTOLIC Church. Now if Christ founded this Church Himself and said it would NEVER teach error and that the gates of Hell will NEVER prevail against it, and that HE would be with His Church till the end of time, (read your Bible), who are we to argue with HIM.

IF I were a protestant today and could really study into these truths, (and anyone can) and if sincere about learning the truth, I would need to ignore all the silly stuff I have ever heard about the Catholic Church and get to know about the Church in the right way. I have been a Catholic all my life, (over 70 years) I DO NOT worship Mary, I love her and respect her for what she did for God and for us. I am NOT stupid, I DO NOT worship statues. They serve as reminders of Holy people that are GOOD examples to us. (Just as a picture of your Mother reminds you of her, etc,) As for praying for the dead, its in the BIble. And asking the Blessed Mother to pray for us and also the Saints and Angels, well if you go into the old catacombs in Rome you will see the writings of “pray for us” on many of the tombs so they did that from the beginning of Christianity. I think protestants believe in the Communion of Saints even if they don’t really think they do. If you don’t believe me just read in the obituaries of any newspaper and you will find things like, Johnny you have been gone for 10 years and we still love you and miss you. etc. They are talking directly to the person like they think they can read the paper, or know what they are saying. Even visiting a cemetery proves us humans have an inner desire to somehow connect with our loved ones that have died. If we can write them a note, or visit them at their grave, then tell me why we can’t pray, (talk) to them from our heart??? If we can pray for each other while here on earth, why do you doubt that they can pray for us from Heaven. You protestants are missing out on soooo much by your stubborn notion that the Catholic Church is wrong. Not only have you lost most of the Sacraments but you ridicule us for keeping them.
Catholics need to know their faith so well that they can defend it and and give proper answers to other’s questions.
I have never heard anyone in the Church say that protestants are going to Hell. In fact the Church teaches it is very wrong to judge others, only God can do that.
But if you just step back and take a good long look at things, you will see that the Catholic Church is still ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC and Apostolic, and has been for 2,000 years.
Now step back and take a look at what has happened to the protestant reformation in the past 500 years, especially in the last century. It has divided and divided and become weaker and weaker in its values and beliefs, and it has reduced itself to claiming false accusations against the True Christian Church founded by Jesus Christ. I am not saying that to be unkind, but it is the truth. Most have become soft on abortion, pre-martial sex, birth-control, divorce, homosexuality. and the Catholic Church has stood tall and true.
Please, give what I has said some thought and if you want to know what the Catholic Church is really like and what she really teaches, learn from the Church, not from her enemies. If you would just watch “Journey Home” on EWTN Catholic cable network on Monday nights at 7 PM, Central time, you might just be a bit “Surprised by the TRUTH.” God Bless.

 

[MarcoPolo]

My fear is that thier are a lot of Catholics who believe **I can not love Jesus **as much as they do because I am not Catholic today, and I speak on behalf of my nmon Catholic brothers and Sisters

If there are Catholics who don’t think you can love Jesus as much as them…what does it matter to you? I don’t get it.

 

[Memaw]

If there are Catholics who don’t think you can love Jesus as much as them…what does it matter to you? I don’t get it.

I had a friend who was a physiologist and he once told me that when someone runs another person down or spreads lies about them, that means they have such a low opinion of themselves and run others down in order to make themselves feel better. HMMMMMMMM

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

whatisthetruth:
Originally Posted by Gabriel of 12

Thank you Gabriel,

The Catholic church cannot choose that for you, nor has she ever taught that anyone is in hell, or is going to hell, nor will the Catholic church ever teach such a Lie as you have just stated.

I can tell by your last statement that your not sure who the body of Christ is on earth.

What statement just so I know?

“Do you believe then, I am choosing hell as my destiny, with no hope for eternal life in heaven, **as per the Catholic churches teachings?,” **

one final question and this is a good time to ask since you said this.

Do you believe it is possible for a Christian to know Jesus just as intimately, personally, and to share in his divinity, and live by his saving Grace outside the Catholic Church, as much as you do?

**No I dont believe a non Catholic Christian who know’s of Jesus, cannot Live more intimately, personally and partake of his divinity and live by his saving Grace outside the Catholic Church.

You see to live in Christ is to obey his commandments. I want to clarify the difference between feeling (emotions) that one recieves of learning of the saving act Jesus did for all, and this is good news, all should be overcome by his passion and resurrection,and come to believe in faith, (but when you stop at faith only, you leave out infants, mentally ill and many others)…(God wills all be saved)

But God’s saving grace does not stop there at our emotions. This is the dividing point I think between Catholics and Protestants…

Catholics dont stop at the saving Grace of God, we live it the way the Gospels teaches us to live out that saving Grace fully in the body of Christ, through his Sacraments (the finger of God touching humanity). Jesus and the apostles, including the Catholic saints, went to their death teaching, preaching, believing the same way I do (Catholic church still teaches). These mysteries of God, allows one to enter behind the veil of just faith, and see, taste, smell, love, commune with God. That’s honoring the true Sabbath, to rest in God, not only on the Lord’s day, also intimately with God, this is achieved as one body, one Church, one faith in the unity of God, or just personally one can visit with Jesus one on one, and see him, talk to him. Jesus has never left us, he is always with us until the end of the age, Jesus has kept his promise.

Tip: We are not influenced by emotions, motivational speakers, great music, we are moved by Truth. God wants us to worship him in Spirit and truth, Jesus is Truth. The way this is done, by Partaking of the body and blood of Jesus, for he is Truth, it is the Holy Spirit in us that reveals these mysteries of God to his Body, The Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is built of Rock, Jesus made her that way.**

There is much more we can discuss. But I have to go,

Peace of the Lord be with you

 

[ReConverted]

Ever notice that, in general, these people ask questions like this as if you owe them an answer?

I didn’t realize this tactic until after I left Protestantism to become a Catholic. (To be fair, many Protestants don’t realize that they’re doing this.)

This is a great thread!

 

[Memaw]

Ever notice that, in general, these people ask questions like this as if you owe them an answer?

I didn’t realize this tactic until after I left Protestantism to become a Catholic. (To be fair, many Protestants don’t realize that they’re doing this.)

This is a great thread!

And we DO owe them an answer if they are seeking in sincerity. But if they just want to argue, well thats different. I had a friend of my nephew who was trying to convert him to his protestant church and my nephew would ask me questions the guy asked him. One day the guy wanted to talk to me so I said, “Sure come on over”. The first thing he said to me was, "Why do you call men Father and why do you worship Mary? I tried to explain our belief and he kept interrupting me with silly things. Finally I said, “Keith, if you have a problem with calling men father then you take that up with God! What is the 4th Commandment, and didn’t Jesus refer to Abraham as Father Abraham. Don’t you protestants ever READ the Bible?” I also reminded him that the 8th Commandment says Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor. I really think he was trying to make our Faith look foolish in the eyes of my nephew. It wasn’t long before he left and my nephew returned to the practice of his TRUE faith.

 

[ReConverted]

And we DO owe them an answer if they are seeking in sincerity. But if they just want to argue, well thats different. I had a friend of my nephew who was trying to convert him to his protestant church and my nephew would ask me questions the guy asked him. One day the guy wanted to talk to me so I said, “Sure come on over”. The first thing he said to me was, "Why do you call men Father and why do you worship Mary? I tried to explain our belief and he kept interrupting me with silly things. Finally I said, “Keith, if you have a problem with calling men father then you take that up with God! What is the 4th Commandment, and didn’t Jesus refer to Abraham as Father Abraham. Don’t you protestants ever READ the Bible?” I also reminded him that the 8th Commandment says Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor. I really think he was trying to make our Faith look foolish in the eyes of my nephew. It wasn’t long before he left and my nephew returned to the practice of his TRUE faith.

You make excellent points! I agree that we do owe them an answer if they’re sincere. “Always be ready to give every man an answer” as the scripture tells us. Note that it says to always be “ready”, which is different than “always talk with them no matter what”. Example: the scripture also tells us not to throw our pearls before swine, and we have to be discerning as to whether the Protestant who is questioning us is sincere or not.

I should have clarified my initial statement: as a former Protestant (and rabid anti-Catholic back then), I’m referring to the mindset on their part which is: the Catholic church is WAY off base (at best) & dangerous to souls, and that God wants me to give them the Protestant version of Christianity so that they may be truly free of “religion” and enter into a “relationship” with God, which of course they have. (Sarcasm) Many Protestants get quite arrogant is this regard. I know I did. uch:

I’ll relate something else: I have had many discussions with Protestants over the years, and after they try to “save” me, I give them the facts about Christ and his Church, rebutting their arguments…then I usually never hear from them again. That says a lot to me concerning their lack of sincerity in seeking truth.

 

[Memaw]

You make excellent points! I agree that we do owe them an answer if they’re sincere. “Always be ready to give every man an answer” as the scripture tells us. Note that it says to always be “ready”, which is different than “always talk with them no matter what”. Example: the scripture also tells us not to throw our pearls before swine, and we have to be discerning as to whether the Protestant who is questioning us is sincere or not.

I should have clarified my initial statement: as a former Protestant (and rabid anti-Catholic back then), I’m referring to the mindset on their part which is: the Catholic church is WAY off base (at best) & dangerous to souls, and that God wants me to give them the Protestant version of Christianity so that they may be truly free of “religion” and enter into a “relationship” with God, which of course they have. (Sarcasm) Many Protestants get quite arrogant is this regard. I know I did. uch:

I’ll relate something else: I have had many discussions with Protestants over the years, and after they try to “save” me, I give them the facts about Christ and his Church, rebutting their arguments…then I usually never hear from them again. That says a lot to me concerning their lack of sincerity in seeking truth.

Reconverted, I have a question for you, You said you were a former protestant and a rabid anti-catholic. well, I would like to know why so many protestants are so anti-Catholic. If they don’t like our Faith, and don’t believe the way we do, and aren’t interested in understanding why we believe as we do, I can’t understand why they bash our Faith so much. Why don’t they just go about minding their own business and leave us alone. Catholics don’t believe the way protestants do but we don’t go around making up stuff about them and spreading lies, even after we try to tell them their mistaken. I just don’t understand it. I am sure that is not the way God wants them to act. We all need to seek the truth, Jesus said, “I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE.” God Bless.