Hi Jerry

I basically agree with you, but I think it is possible for some who were truly born again at an early age to have a fuzzy recollection of the events. Also, due to the way the gospel is preached by some, some people make multiple ‘decisions’ and can never come to assurance as to which one was the right one… I ask them what they are relying on, their own ‘magic words to God’ or the cross of Christ?

Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

Hi Keith

I won’t quibble with you about the process of time question. I recognize that many Christians never remember a time in which they did not believe. I think that I would fall in that category, although I do have memories of various experiences before I came to believe. I also do remember a crisis experience as I wrestled with understanding what it meant to be a sinner and why Jesus had to die because of my sins. When I understood, I consciously put my faith in Christ to save me from my sins. I was five years old and the memory is as vivid as yesterday to me.

In any case, the point of my post isn’t what I or someone else remembers. My assurance isn’t based on my memory of that experience. I might forget the experience some day. My assurance is based on God’s word and Christ’s work. Nothing else. I rely on that exclusively.

I think a lot of people get hung up on trying to remember the experience or on trying to live the life to show the fruit so that they can be assured of their salvation. Those ways are full of trouble. Who can say how genuine one’s experience is? Who can say if I am really showing fruit or just conforming to expectations? Better to trust Christ and His word and press on living for him.

Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

How, why, by what standard?

I’d say it’s actually the most common, normal way that people come to Christ. It’s only unlikely when we define away the possibility and expect some sort of crisis. When we do that, then what do you know, everybody comes up with a crisis. Even those that have been raised in the church.

Now, you return the questions back at me . . .

The problem is from what perspective are we talking? The time OF God’s decree? Well then, everyone came to Christ before they were formed in their mothers womb. The time WHICH God decreed we would be regenerate? A definite time even though perhaps not clearly recognized by us. The time when we became conscious of our faith? For some at a crisis point, for some a time lost in the haze of early childhood.

There are many, many Christians who — when free to say so — never remember a time in which they did not believe. Of course, they recognize that their understanding and maturity in the faith have grown. However, from before clear memories they have understood and believed “enough.”

It is unlikely that people come to Christ through a ‘many year’ process. I would want to closely examine such folks for a more clear understanding of salvation.

I should make it clear that I oppose the use of the ‘four spiritual laws’ entirely. They are an extremely flawed method of presenting the gospel. Many of those who ‘make a commitment’ or ‘pray this prayer’ based on their use have never been taught the gospel. They don’t understand that they are a sinner. To use Facebook parlance, they have ‘friended’ Jesus, but they haven’t turned from their sin to the Saviour in many instances.

I also repudiate the term evangelical. While it does refer historically to things that I believe in, in current usage it identifies people with a ministry philosophy I am entirely opposed to.

Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3