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Importance and value of personal efforts for spiritual growth after recognizing and accepting Jesus as Lord

Niatero

Niatero

*banned*
NOTE: I think to avoid misunderstandings I should say that I'm not a Christian and I don't believe in any Christian doctrine about salvation or about the Trinity. Even so, I do recognize and accept Jesus as my Lord, and that's the context for what I'm saying here. It looks to me like sometimes people think that spiritual growth doesn't require any conscious effort to learn to live the way that Jesus says to live, that He will do it all for us. I would agree that He doesn't need our help, but I don't think that's a reason not to make any conscious efforts ourselves. I think that it's much better for us if we do. In fact, it might even be necessary, because if we want Him to change our lives for His purposes, it isn't enough to just think that's what we want, not enough even to pray for it only in words, we need to say it and pray for it with our actions, with conscious efforts, studying and practicing to learn to live the way He says to live.

(later) A picture (actions) is worth a thousand words (praying with words only). Not saying not to pray with words also.
 
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Psalm23

Psalm23

Well-Known Member
Niatero said:
NOTE: I think to avoid misunderstandings I should say that I'm not a Christian and I don't believe in any Christian doctrine about salvation or about the Trinity. Even so, I do recognize and accept Jesus as my Lord, and that's the context for what I'm saying here. It looks to me like sometimes people think that spiritual growth doesn't require any conscious effort to learn to live the way that Jesus says to live, that He will do it all for us. I would agree that He doesn't need our help, but I don't think that's a reason not to make any conscious efforts ourselves. I think that it's much better for us if we do. In fact, it might even be necessary, because if we want Him to change our lives for His purposes, it isn't enough to just think that's what we want, not enough even to pray for it only in words, we need to say it and pray for it with our actions, with conscious efforts, studying and practicing to learn to live the way He says to live.

(later) A picture (actions) is worth a thousand words (praying with words only). Not saying not to pray with words also.
Click to expand...
I agree with you that effort is important. It's not a either or in my perspective but both. As the apostle Paul said in ‭‭Colossians 1:29 NIV‬:

[29] To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

Colossians 1:29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. | New International Version (NIV) | Download The Bible App Now

To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
bible.com
 
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