Personal relationship with jesus

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SAVINGRACE

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"I think I officially disagree with the “personal relationship with Jesus” language. As a Catholic, I don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus. I have a Ecclesial and Sacramental relationship with Jesus. "

A religious Brother who is my Facebook friend posted the above recently and I found it interesting as I have always referred to myself as having a personal relationship with Jesus.

What are your thoughts my christian brothers and sisters?
 
I have a very personal relationship with Christ.

It’s that simple.

How can anyone who isnt me tell me what kind of a relationship I have with Christ? 🤷

The religious brother I am guessing dont feel he has that with Christ, but his relationship is more sacramental etc.

Benedict XVI always spoke of a personal relationship with Christ.
 
I’d say I have a personal relationship with Jesus. What could possibly be more personal than confessing my sins to him and receiving him in the Eucharist? It’s not only personal, but it is personal as well as being a member of a community.
 
I have a personal relationship with Jesus. He is my Lord and God, my savior and my best friend. I tell him everything. Try spending some time with him in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. You’ll be pleasantly surprised!
 
Luke 9:23 And he said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

This is a personal relationship with Jesus. It is a daily thing, not a once and you are done thing. It is a life commitment. In all the Churches I have been to, I have not yet seen one that reflects what Jesus said here more than the Catholic Church. Every day at every time around the whole world, Mass is celebrated and the faithful in unison praise and worship Christ. It doesn’t get any more personal than that.
 
Isaiah45_9 said:
Luke 9:23 And he said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

This is a personal relationship with Jesus. It is a daily thing, not a once and you are done thing. It is a life commitment. In all the Churches I have been to, I have not yet seen one that reflects what Jesus said here more than the Catholic Church. Every day at every time around the whole world, Mass is celebrated and the faithful in unison praise and worship Christ. It doesn’t get any more personal than that.
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:signofcross:

MJ
 
I agree with the other posters. It is not the same to know all the rules and follow them, as it is to do that and feel as if Jesus is your friend, as if you truly believe in him as would as if he is right in front of you.

Pax
 
I’d ask your Facebook friend what he means. He might be associating the phrase “personal relationship” with a “buddy” mentality that equates intimacy with familiarity, or with the “personal Lord and savior” doctrine that equates salvation with an act of faith.

That said, he is mistaken at least in his terminology. The ecclesial and sacramental relationship we have with Christ is personal, even though He is present in different ways than our next-door neighbor. If Our Lord seems more remote because of the sacramental veil, He is also nearer by virtue of the same Sacrament, not to mention His divinity and the indwelling of the Blessed Trinity.
 
The personal relationship that I have with Jesus is when I receive His Body and Blood in Holy Communion.
 
Of course we all have a personal relationship with Christ. The problem with the phrase though is that it has a negative connotation because it is used by Evangelicals, and what they mean by “personal relationship” really means rejecting an Ecclesiastical structure and Liturgical worship.
 
I have a personal relationship with Jesus every day, I read the bible and I pray and through the day I ash him for help when I need it but Sunday is different I go to church to worship him
 
ConstantineTG said:
Of course we all have a personal relationship with Christ. The problem with the phrase though is that it has a negative connotation because it is used by Evangelicals, and what they mean by “personal relationship” really means rejecting an Ecclesiastical structure and Liturgical worship.
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That is exactly where he is coming from judging from the comments on his profile. He also mentioned his distaste for WWJD empty phrasing, I definitely agree with him on that on.
 
ConstantineTG said:
Of course we all have a personal relationship with Christ. The problem with the phrase though is that it has a negative connotation because it is used by Evangelicals, and what they mean by “personal relationship” really means rejecting an Ecclesiastical structure and Liturgical worship.
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I have a word for you it’s from the Bible that’s God Word and I quote Mat 7:23 And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; “depart from Me, those working lawlessness!” Psa. 6:8

The Law refer to works not relationship
 
fred_smurf said:
I have a word for you it’s from the Bible that’s God Word and I quote Mat 7:23 And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; “depart from Me, those working lawlessness!” Psa. 6:8

The Law refer to works not relationship
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That verse should not be interpreted individually within a vacuum. It needs to be interpreted within in its entire context which includes the verses above it. Matt 7:21-23

'Ver. 21. Here Jesus Christ shews, that it is not sufficient to believe in him and hear his words, but that in order to salvation, we must join works with faith; for in this shall we be examined at the last day. (Menochius) — Without faith they could not cry out, Lord, Lord. (Romans x.) But the strongest faith without the works of justice, will not be available to salvation. (1 Corinthians xiii.) (Bristow) — Many who have the lord continually in their mouths, but care little about putting on the Lord, or penetrating themselves with his true spirit, will find their presumption, and the false consciences they have made to themselves, woefully disappointed. (Haydock)

Ver. 22. Have not we prophesied in thy name? The gift of prophecy, and of doing miracles, many sometimes be granted to bad men, as to Caiphas, and Balaam. (Witham) — Under the name of prophets, the Hebrews comprised not only such as predicted future events, but also in general all such as gave themselves out for inspired, or who undertook teaching and interpreting the holy Scriptures; and here by prophesying is understood, in a general acceptation, all public functions, predicting futurity, expounding Scripture, instructing the people, preaching, &c. (Bible de Vence)

Ver. 23. So as to approve and reward your works. Here he shews that even prophecy and miracles will not save us without good works. (Menochius) — How much less will faith, unassisted by good works, preserve us from condemnation. (Haydock) — the gift of miracles is bestowed on men not for their own good, but for the advantage of others. We must not then be surprised if men, who had indeed faith in Christ, but whose lives did not correspond with their faith, should be honoured with these extraordinary gifts, since the Almighty sometimes employs as his instruments in working similar wonders, men destitute both of faith and virtue. Balaam, void of faith and probity, still by the will of God, prophesied for the advantage of others. To Pharao and Nabuchodonosor were revealed future events of the greatest moment; and the wicked Judas himself cast out devils. Therefore St. Paul said, “if I had all faith so as to remove mountains, and if I knew all mysteries, and was possessed of all wisdom, but had not charity, I am nothing.” (St. Chrysostom, Hom. xv.)
 
I think of Christ as my king. I speak to Him often in my thoughts and prayers. But I am not sure if the personal relationship I feel is with Christ or the Holy Spirit. It’s the Holy Spirit who often guides us when we seek help from God, no?

I definitely feel a personal relationship with my guardian angel. Fortunately, I have the very best guardian angel.

It also must be said that God feels too big for me to completely relate to. I don’t mean relate in the sense of understanding, but just to relate in general. Sometimes when I have those thought conversations in my mind where the subject somehow relates to God, I suddenly pause and recognize His presence inside. It’s a strange feeling that I never felt before very recently. For some reason, I never actualized His presence there. He is always there inside. But is it not true that this presence is properly the Trinity, and that when we find guidance from it, that guidance comes from the Holy Spirit?
 
SAVINGRACE said:
"I think I officially disagree with the “personal relationship with Jesus” language. As a Catholic, I don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus. I have a Ecclesial and Sacramental relationship with Jesus. "

A religious Brother who is my Facebook friend posted the above recently and I found it interesting as I have always referred to myself as having a personal relationship with Jesus.

What are your thoughts my christian brothers and sisters?
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At Mass on Sunday we read from Luke 9.

*"…‘Who do the crowds say I am?’’

“…who do you say I am?”*

The sermon which followed the reading then proceeded to use these lines to contrast the collective zeitgeist with the direct and individual challenge that has to be answered by us personally.

“…who do you say I am?”

It has to be our personal response to that question.
Offering someone else’s response isnt acceptable. When we face death, it is our own personal answer to that existential question by which we will be held personally accountable.

Atheists often spout popular slogan answers about God which they heard in the public square from prominent “New Athests” like Richard Dawkins or Lawrence Krauss. Agnostics put the question in the “too hard basket” and try to postpone deciding. And many of us believers reel off by heart, the doctrinally correct affirmation we memorized at Nicea.

But ultimately, we each have to decide our personal answer to God. And God treats us as the unique individuals He created us to be. Remember, that as per Luke 15:7, even if 99 righteous individuals all collectively are safely under His care, God still seeks to find even just 1 single lost sheep.
 
fred_smurf said:
I have a word for you it’s from the Bible that’s God Word and I quote Mat 7:23 And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; “depart from Me, those working lawlessness!” Psa. 6:8

The Law refer to works not relationship
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Sorry, I don’t get your point.

Orthodoxy is all about the experience of God. Our relationship with God revolves around our experience of God’s energies in our lives and in our world. We live in the life of God. This is akin to a person’s relationship with their friends and family. Our relationship is about living with God, experiencing Him in our lives.
 
Lion_IRC said:
But ultimately, we each have to decide our personal answer to God. And God treats us as the unique individuals He created us to be. Remember, that as per Luke 15:7, even if 99 righteous individuals all collectively are safely under His care, God still seeks to find even just 1 single lost sheep.
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👍

It sounds strange, I know, but right now I’d say I have a good relationship (not sure exactly what the ‘personal’ part is intended to refer to) with God, the Father. A relationship with Jesus is harder for me for some reason … I believe in the Trinity, I believe Jesus is the Son of God, and I have felt the Holy Spirit. So I believe and trust that as long as I keep trying to work towards God and His Plan, I’ll learn and grow and change as He needs me to.
 
I have a personal relationship with Jesus too. Whoever that person was who said he didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus was speaking for himself and not for all Catholics.
 
SAVINGRACE said:
That verse should not be interpreted individually within a vacuum. It needs to be interpreted within in its entire context which includes the verses above it. Matt 7:21-23

'Ver. 21. Here Jesus Christ shews, that it is not sufficient to believe in him and hear his words, but that in order to salvation, we must join works with faith; for in this shall we be examined at the last day. (Menochius) — Without faith they could not cry out, Lord, Lord. (Romans x.) But the strongest faith without the works of justice, will not be available to salvation. (1 Corinthians xiii.) (Bristow) — Many who have the lord continually in their mouths, but care little about putting on the Lord, or penetrating themselves with his true spirit, will find their presumption, and the false consciences they have made to themselves, woefully disappointed. (Haydock)

Ver. 22. Have not we prophesied in thy name? The gift of prophecy, and of doing miracles, many sometimes be granted to bad men, as to Caiphas, and Balaam. (Witham) — Under the name of prophets, the Hebrews comprised not only such as predicted future events, but also in general all such as gave themselves out for inspired, or who undertook teaching and interpreting the holy Scriptures; and here by prophesying is understood, in a general acceptation, all public functions, predicting futurity, expounding Scripture, instructing the people, preaching, &c. (Bible de Vence)

Ver. 23. So as to approve and reward your works. Here he shews that even prophecy and miracles will not save us without good works. (Menochius) — How much less will faith, unassisted by good works, preserve us from condemnation. (Haydock) — the gift of miracles is bestowed on men not for their own good, but for the advantage of others. We must not then be surprised if men, who had indeed faith in Christ, but whose lives did not correspond with their faith, should be honoured with these extraordinary gifts, since the Almighty sometimes employs as his instruments in working similar wonders, men destitute both of faith and virtue. Balaam, void of faith and probity, still by the will of God, prophesied for the advantage of others. To Pharao and Nabuchodonosor were revealed future events of the greatest moment; and the wicked Judas himself cast out devils. Therefore St. Paul said, “if I had all faith so as to remove mountains, and if I knew all mysteries, and was possessed of all wisdom, but had not charity, I am nothing.” (St. Chrysostom, Hom. xv.)
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And this requires a deep relationship with Jesus, am not going into the gifts of the Holy Spirit ( Ruach HaKodesh) because I don’t see it in the Catholic Church so why bring it
 
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