How do you know when you have a personal relationship with Jesus?

[graceandglory]

So that goes for **all Catholics **then?

Both protestants and Catholics have to remember Jesus’ words when making broad statements about ***All Catholics, or All Protestants.

---

Regarding believers and unbelievers gathering together:
Should we get rid of the unbelievers?
**
And Jesus said, "No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ** Gospel of Matthew

I first experienced the “wheat and the tares” as a Catholic. Then I spent years worshiping as a protestant. When I recognized the parable of the “wheat and the tares” again as a protestant, and finally was clued in, that there will always be tares among the wheat, or non-believers among the believers, everywhere, until Jesus returns, I was able to give the Catholic Church another chance.
**
“He will come again to judge the living and the dead.”**

 

[graceandglory]

Evangelical protestant: I invited Jesus into my heart.

I have a “personal relationship” with the Lord.

I have assurance of my salvation based on this.

Bible references: (???)

Catholic: I was baptized. Mark 16:16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.”

I receive the Eucharist. “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you have no life within you.” John 6:53

I regularly confess my sins to my priest. James 5:16

I have publicly declared my faith at my Confirmation. Romans 10:9

 

[Syele]

Evangelical protestant: I invited Jesus into my heart.

Catholics call this decision making “swimming the Tiber”

I have a “personal relationship” with the Lord.

Called " Living your Faith"

I have assurance of my salvation based on this.

Saying “personal relationship” does not mean they automatically believe this.

Bible references: (???)

For which thing? they are not all the same.

Catholic: I was baptized. Mark 16:16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.”

I receive the Eucharist. “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you have no life within you.” John 6:53

I regularly confess my sins to my priest. James 5:16

I have publicly declared my faith at my Confirmation. Romans 10:9

Do you live your faith everyday? I know people who do all the above, but do not try not to sin or have a prayer life, or study Gods word. Living your faith or having a personal relationship with God include the things you listed but your list was missing some important parts.

 

[graceandglory]

Evangelical protestant: I invited Jesus into my heart.

Neither of which are in the Bible. “Crossing the Tiber” is a phrase that us radical Catholic converts use. Usually among ourselves. It’s not a doctrine. It’s not biblical. It’s not in the Catechism. It’s not in any Church documents. It’s just kinda fun. It’s kinda like saying, “I’ve seeeeen the light!”

For the majority of evangelical protestants, however, the litmus test to see whether a person is saved or not, is based on something that isn’t even biblical. They will say that the day they “invited Jesus into their heart” is the day that they were “saved.”

The day they were saved is the day they knew that they would spend eternity in Heaven.

 

[graceandglory]

I have assurance of my salvation based on this.

Saying “personal relationship” does not mean they automatically believe this.

Yes, you’re right. Not all protestants believe this. “Assurance of salvation” isn’t universal for protestants. I’m speaking mostly of garden variety, non-denominational, pentecostal, evangelical, Campus Crusade, Billy Graham types of Christians.

 

[Syele]

Neither of which are in the Bible. “Crossing the Tiber” is a phrase that us radical Catholic converts use. Usually among ourselves. It’s not a doctrine. It’s not biblical. It’s not in the Catechism. It’s not in any Church documents. It’s just kinda fun. It’s kinda like saying, “I’ve seeeeen the light!”

So if someone says they have crossed the Tiber you would not assume they are Catholic?

The thing is that these phrases “is Jesus in your Heart” or “do you have a personal relationship with Jesus” are just popular ways to say that a person is “a saved Protestant”. just like Catholics have popular ways to say they are Catholic.

For the majority of evangelical protestants, however, the litmus test to see whether a person is saved or not, is based on something that isn’t even biblical. They will say that the day they “invited Jesus into their heart” is the day that they were “saved.”

The day they were saved is the day they knew that they would spend eternity in Heaven.

You are talking about OSAS people. can you prove it’s the majority? Cause that is not what I’m seeing anywhere. And people who are not OSAS use the SAME terminology.

 

[graceandglory]

graceandglory:
Catholic: I was baptized. Mark 16:16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.”

I receive the Eucharist. “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, you have no life within you.” John 6:53

I regularly confess my sins to my priest. James 5:16

I have publicly declared my faith at my Confirmation. Romans 10:9

syele:
Do you live your faith everyday? I know people who do all the above, but do not try not to sin or have a prayer life, or study Gods word. Living your faith or having a personal relationship with God include the things you listed but your list was missing some important parts.

This was a problem Jesus addressed during his ministry. (See my earlier post) There will be tares among the wheat until Jesus comes back and judges us all according to our deeds. That goes for Catholics as well as protestants. But the original question of this thread was “How do you know when you have a personal relationship with Christ?”

 

[Syele]

This was a problem Jesus addressed during his ministry. (See my earlier post) There will be tares among the wheat until Jesus comes back and judges us all according to our deeds. That goes for Catholics as well as protestants. But the original question of this thread was “How do you know when you have a personal relationship with Christ?”

but you cant have a personal relationship (at least not a good one) if you do not study Gods word, pray and not try not to sin. It is on topic.

 

[Righteousone]

People, please show me where the word “personal” is in the bible…please :dts:

 

[Syele]

People, please show me where the word “personal” is in the bible…please :dts:

I will as soon as you show me where all of the following words are in the Bible:

Tiber
Pope
Trinity
Magisterium
Eucharist
Bible

And while you’re at it explain what that has to do with the phrase the thread is about?

 

[Righteousone]

I will as soon as you show me where all of the following words are in the Bible:

Tiber
Pope
Trinity
Magisterium
Eucharist
Bible

And while you’re at it explain what that has to do with the phrase the thread is about?

Well, the thread is about a PERSONAL relationship with Christ. It is a question and I am just waiting for the answer. You always say ‘prove it’ so now I am asking again…where is the word ‘personal’ in the bible? Legitimate question, no?

 

[Syele]

Well, the thread is about a PERSONAL relationship with Christ. It is a question and I am just waiting for the answer. You always say ‘prove it’ so now I am asking again…where is the word ‘personal’ in the bible? Legitimate question, no?

no

Why should the word personal have to be in the Bible?

I always say prove it? really? Where?

 

[Righteousone]

no

Why should the word personal have to be in the Bible?

I always say prove it? really? Where?

Not you persay, but Protestants in general always need ‘proof’. If personal is not in the bible, why use it then? It is from Luther who first used the word ‘personal’ in the 1500’s is where it comes from. It is not from Christ, so why say it?

 

[onenow1]

HI, All
God chose us we do not choose God. What we do is accept Jesus teaching pointing us to the Father, Ultimate Love ] !
When Jesus gave his life for us.

God chose us at Baptism. John 3: 5-6. We become adopted children of God through the blessed water and bloodof Jesus. Now this is only the beginning, the journey continues as I seek wisdom.

I’ve had a personal relationship with God ever since birth, none of us would have been born without God, that’s pretty personal !
Fight the good fight to the end as ST. Paul says.

Peace,OneNow1

 

[graceandglory]

but you cant have a personal relationship (at least not a good one) if you do not study Gods word, pray and not try not to sin. It is on topic.

Dear Syele,
I completely “get” your point. For the record, I believe I “have a personal relationship” with the Lord. I had one before I converted to evangelical protestantism, and I still have one, as a Catholic “revert.”

I think all faithful Catholics will agree with you that there are other things that define us other than what is written in Scripture. That is where Tradition comes in. What you are trying to share with us is the necessity of something more than a formulaic, “Invite Jesus into your heart.”

For the record, a Catholic who attends Mass once a week, spends about 40 minutes in prayer (the sermon doesn’t count, although it could count for Bible study.) We have a commitment to receiving the Sacrament of Penance, and regularly do an examination of conscience, (some do it daily, some only when they attend Confession). We Catholics confess our sins one by one, by actually naming them, to a priest, and to God, and regularly pray a prayer of contrition, or sorrow for our sins.

Would you say that most protestants actually pray for 40 minutes a week? I mean actual prayers of Adoration, Confession, Thanks, and Supplication?

The Sacramental life of prayer and bible study and keeping from sin is kind of “built in” to our lives as Catholics.

Yes, it’s true, that there will be a Judgment Day. A day when Jesus will say to the sheep who sit at his right hand, “Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you.” And he will say to the goats on his left, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire…” (Matthew 25)

The “personal relationship” goes much farther than something that can be summed up in a few verses of Scripture. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a great read to find what the Church teaches about living a holy and virtuous life as a committed Christian, or a Soldier of Christ.

 

[paarsurrey]

How do you know when you have a personal relationship with Jesus?
How do you know when you have enough of a personal relationship with Jesus?
I don’t mean to be insulting. I was just wondering why protestants always say that thats what you need to do.
How do you do it?
As a Catholic we are taught to know, love and serve the Lord. We do that through much prayer(liturgical, comtemplative etc.), spiritual reading such as the bible, going to Mass and being charitable among other things.

Hi

I see that many Catholics here have seen apparitions of Jesus, if we take it from the first century, maybe they are in thousands or more. They think they have a sort of personal relationship with Jesus; maybe it is,so that they have seen him or his mother Mary.

But they don’t agree on physical features of Jesus or Mary; I think that hardly establishes their personal relationship with Jesus or Mary; so one doubts it. The Protestants never express seeing such apparitions. Do they?

Thanks

 

[Syele]

Not you persay, but Protestants in general always need ‘proof’. If personal is not in the bible, why use it then? It is from Luther who first used the word ‘personal’ in the 1500’s is where it comes from. It is not from Christ, so why say it?

We look for “proof” from scriptures because believe it or not Protestants care if they are offending God or not and want to do what is correct. Taking it to extremes and demanding particular words show up in a particular translation of Scriptures is overdoing it by alot.

graceandglory:

Dear Syele,
I completely “get” your point. For the record, I believe I “have a personal relationship” with the Lord. I had one before I converted to evangelical protestantism, and I still have one, as a Catholic “revert.”

Its not my intention to imply you don’t. I’m just saying that when that question is asked, this is what we want to know, yet the answers we get don’t answer the question. Then Catholics get upset cause Protestants get the idea they aren’t saved. If you purposely answer cryptically because you don’t like a term, it’s no wonder people get the wrong idea.

I think all faithful Catholics will agree with you that there are other things that define us other than what is written in Scripture. That is where Tradition comes in. What you are trying to share with us is the necessity of something more than a formulaic, “Invite Jesus into your heart.”

Inviting Jesus into your heart is just making a decision to Live a life of faith. Its not some magic moment. But that is a different term than “personal Saviour” really the only things in common are that they are protestant Terms that Catholics don’t like, they describe different things.

For the record, a Catholic who attends Mass once a week, spends about 40 minutes in prayer (the sermon doesn’t count, although it could count for Bible study.) We have a commitment to receiving the Sacrament of Penance, and regularly do an examination of conscience, (some do it daily, some only when they attend Confession). We Catholics confess our sins one by one, by actually naming them, to a priest, and to God, and regularly pray a prayer of contrition, or sorrow for our sins.

I attend Church two to three times a week, Sundays for 3hours sometimes in the evenings on Sundays for 90min, Wednesdays for 90 min , Pray and study Scriptures daily, Confess my sins by naming them to God, and confess sins to those I wronged with said sins. The thing is many people Go to Church and seem to be following the Traditions but are not. A nice lady that attends my Church every Sunday and appears to do what is required also lives with her boyfriend and Doesn’t even know what all the church she attends teaches. This is not just a protestant problem. It is spread heavily throughout the Catholic Church too. There are even threads all over this forum about how to address it. You can hate the term Protestants use to ask people if they are living their faith or you can embrace it, it still wont make the problem go away.

Would you say that most protestants actually pray for 40 minutes a week? I mean actual prayers of Adoration, Confession, Thanks, and Supplication?

The Sacramental life of prayer and bible study and keeping from sin is kind of “built in” to our lives as Catholics.

I doubt MOST Catholics do either. However, Both Protest and Catholic Churchs teach you should. Most Protestant Pastors encourage a Daily “Quiet Time” for prayer, Confession, Supplication etc of at least 30 minutes a day. Just because Pastors teach you should, does that mean everyone who says they are protestants do? Do you really believe that MOST people who claim to be Catholic are Devout, following all Church teachings and showing up for mass weekly?

Yes, it’s true, that there will be a Judgment Day. A day when Jesus will say to the sheep who sit at his right hand, “Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you.” And he will say to the goats on his left, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire…” (Matthew 25)

The “personal relationship” goes much farther than something that can be summed up in a few verses of Script

God makes us individually, Has Calls on our lives that are individual, and Judges us individually. Yes, there is alot to what a personal relationship is, but to say “Yes because I attend Mass”, is just not coving it.

And then I see Catholics get all riled up cause they told a protestant “there is no such thing as a personal relationship with Jesus” and the Protestant took it to mean the Catholic isn’t even Christian. And then the Catholic can’t figure out where Protestants get such ideas. All over a quibble about terminology.

 

[blossom02]

Hi

I see that many Catholics here have seen apparitions of Jesus, if we take it from the first century, maybe they are in thousands or more. They think they have a sort of personal relationship with Jesus; maybe it is,so that they have seen him or his mother Mary.

But they don’t agree on physical features of Jesus or Mary; I think that hardly establishes their personal relationship with Jesus or Mary; so one doubts it. The Protestants never express seeing such apparitions. Do they?

Thanks

I would say that the Apparitions have little to do with a personal relationship with Christ. Thsi wouldhave somthing to do with it but most catholics would think themselves unworthy of such a thing to happen in their lives and would never expect it to happen to them. Although many catholics would comune with God in the way God has choosen to comune with them on an individual basis.