Page 31 - The Gospel Truth About Death and Dying_Neat

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RULES. A person living in rules will say something like, “Oh yes,

I’m born again. I learned the four spiritual laws, and said the

sinner’s prayer at the altar at my church.” Their focus is usually on
some past event, and not on some present reality or relationship
with Jesus. They live in the past, not the present.

RELATIONSHIP. Someone who lives in relationship with God will

say, “Yes I’m born again. I love Jesus more and more with each
day.” If you try to nail them down to a specific conversion date,

they may say, “Well sure, I asked Jesus into my heart years ago,

but since then he’s written a whole new book in me: all things are

new each day because of Jesus’ love in me.” Their focus is on

their life in God now, not on some past event.

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RULES. If you ask someone who lives by rules about their

theology, it usually hasn’t changed in decades (if they are that

old). What they believe now, is what they believed 25 years

ago. They will say something like believing and trusting in what

‘my pastor says.’ There isn’t much said about the living and active
word of God, or what is going on in them now.

RELATIONSHIP. If someone lives in a vine and branch type of

relationship with Jesus, they talk in terms of their theology
changing, as Father gets bigger, and more important to them.

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