The Unlived Life

The unlived life is not worth examining. (JAS) Just Another Sinner

Hello justanothersinner;

God bless you and thank you for sharing. Please elaborate your statement.

For many years I've ministered to men and women who confessed their "unlived life" and upon examining they wanted to have a renewed, fulfilled life with Jesus Christ. Many have confessed and repented of their sins and asked Jesus into their lives.

Others take longer because of their circumstances - women and men released from prison, drug and alcohol dependency, corrupt business living, loss of respect for human life, sexual immorality with oneself or their marriages, etc...These are my friends and now my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.

99% of them rejoice at making the greatest decision of their life because they took the time to work through examining their unlived life and learning that our God can forgive all circumstances to each of us who have sinned and fallen short of His glory.

1 John 1:9, 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I have read and heard this verse over and over, yet each day I still take this passage very serious. In my personal story, God is still bigger. God is still greater that anything I have gone through in my sinful life. Everytime, Jesus WINS!

God bless you, justanothersinner and your family.
 
Hello justanothersinner;

God bless you and thank you for sharing. Please elaborate your statement.

For many years I've ministered to men and women who confessed their "unlived life" and upon examining they wanted to have a renewed, fulfilled life with Jesus Christ. Many have confessed and repented of their sins and asked Jesus into their lives.

Others take longer because of their circumstances - women and men released from prison, drug and alcohol dependency, corrupt business living, loss of respect for human life, sexual immorality with oneself or their marriages, etc...These are my friends and now my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.

99% of them rejoice at making the greatest decision of their life because they took the time to work through examining their unlived life and learning that our God can forgive all circumstances to each of us who have sinned and fallen short of His glory.

1 John 1:9, 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I have read and heard this verse over and over, yet each day I still take this passage very serious. In my personal story, God is still bigger. God is still greater that anything I have gone through in my sinful life. Everytime, Jesus WINS!

God bless you, justanothersinner and your family.
And you can count me among these people.

rtm3039
 
bobinfaith
Ok and first may I say it is hard to match the level of respect and good manners you (and other moderators) show in your posts. I tend to be quite blunt sometimes . hope that doesn't bother you.
the unexamined life is not worth living (Socrates)
the unlived life is not worth examining (JAS)
I like to tweak famous quotes like this because they become tired and cliched. Of course I agree with Socrates. We need to reflect on our lives, otherwise we are just leading animalistic lives not aiming for a higher self. We need to search and find discipline and of course in the context of this forum we need to find Jesus Christ or let Him find us. Then everything else should fall into place.
On the other hand, there are some of us (me included) who spend more of their life reflecting than living. Who possibly stay at home too much, living vicariously online. Who need to get out more and socialise and connect in the real world. Who either need to get involved in volunteering at Church or with some charity or in some other capacity. Too many of us become slaves to technology. Last week, my wifi modem collapsed. it took 3 days to replace. I was lost without being online. How sad is that. That I am so addicted to the Internet.
Is praying reflecting? Sometimes I think it is. Some say you cant pray enough. What do you think of those monks who devote their lives to prayer? Do they need to "get a life"? Who am I to judge. I envy them sometimes. I think it is a harder life than what appears on the surface.
At any rate, we all need to get out of the house. Live life to the full. Of course, we can ask "what does that mean? Live life to the full" It mainly means work and sacrifice. We need to avoid addictions like alcohol perhaps. Though I get a sense that Jesus and the apostles enjoyed a wine now and then.
My purpose in making this quote was to promote discussion anyway. Sorry I should have elaborated in the first place.
 
The Prodigal Son story might be relevant here Though I dont want to confuse.
The son who chooses to go out and live a decadent life. Might that phase of his life be a necessary step towards spiritual maturity?
Ok so we dont all need to go through that. Look at the other brother. The one who stayed home. He was loyal and hardworking for his Father. Yet he was resentful of the welcome his brother received. Might he need to go through a similar phase as the brother in order to have compassion for sinners like him?
Might the resentfil brother need to get out of the house and "live life to the full" ?
 
bobinfaith
Ok and first may I say it is hard to match the level of respect and good manners you (and other moderators) show in your posts. I tend to be quite blunt sometimes . hope that doesn't bother you.
the unexamined life is not worth living (Socrates)
the unlived life is not worth examining (JAS)
I like to tweak famous quotes like this because they become tired and cliched. Of course I agree with Socrates. We need to reflect on our lives, otherwise we are just leading animalistic lives not aiming for a higher self. We need to search and find discipline and of course in the context of this forum we need to find Jesus Christ or let Him find us. Then everything else should fall into place.
On the other hand, there are some of us (me included) who spend more of their life reflecting than living. Who possibly stay at home too much, living vicariously online. Who need to get out more and socialise and connect in the real world. Who either need to get involved in volunteering at Church or with some charity or in some other capacity. Too many of us become slaves to technology. Last week, my wifi modem collapsed. it took 3 days to replace. I was lost without being online. How sad is that. That I am so addicted to the Internet.
Is praying reflecting? Sometimes I think it is. Some say you cant pray enough. What do you think of those monks who devote their lives to prayer? Do they need to "get a life"? Who am I to judge. I envy them sometimes. I think it is a harder life than what appears on the surface.
At any rate, we all need to get out of the house. Live life to the full. Of course, we can ask "what does that mean? Live life to the full" It mainly means work and sacrifice. We need to avoid addictions like alcohol perhaps. Though I get a sense that Jesus and the apostles enjoyed a wine now and then.
My purpose in making this quote was to promote discussion anyway. Sorry I should have elaborated in the first place.
justanothersinner

Reflection is what brought be back to Christ, but it is not always a pleasant time. I’ve enjoyed a good life and took almost all my blessings for granted. Funny how, in times of hardship, blessing become more obvious.

As I get older, and I realize my road ahead is shorter than the road behind, it’s difficult not to think of missed opportunities or “things” I could have done better (or maybe even different).

I lived out one full career that I retired from several years ago. I am enjoying a second career, but that one is basically intended to get me to social security. Our five kids are now adults and we have an equal number of grandkids. At present, and for the foreseeable future, one of the kids (as well as his wife and two kids) are living with us, so the house is back to being a zoo (which I like).

I honestly have never been much for leaving the house. I too spend way too much time in front of this screen and not enough away from it. I guess I need a life too.
 
I find it useful to reflect in writing. I keep a journal and often find it helpful to write out my thoughts and, basically, engage in a conversation with myself.
ive always found it helpful to write out my thoughts. Yet i have been accused " JAS, you think too much. Just do it!" 😊
 
bobinfaith
Ok and first may I say it is hard to match the level of respect and good manners you (and other moderators) show in your posts. I tend to be quite blunt sometimes . hope that doesn't bother you.
the unexamined life is not worth living (Socrates)
the unlived life is not worth examining (JAS)

The Prodigal Son story might be relevant here Though I dont want to confuse. The son who chooses to go out and live a decadent life. Might that phase of his life be a necessary step towards spiritual maturity? Ok so we dont all need to go through that. Look at the other brother. The one who stayed home. He was loyal and hardworking for his Father. Yet he was resentful of the welcome his brother received. Might he need to go through a similar phase as the brother in order to have compassion for sinners like him? Might the resentfil brother need to get out of the house and "live life to the full" ?

Hello justanothersinner;

Actually, when you post I'm receiving you. Being blunt and direct is not defined as rude. Moses, the prophets Samuel and
Nathan in 1 and 2 Samuel were blunt. Jesus and Paul were blunt and Stephen in Acts 7 was blunt. All were direct because in their relationship with God He taught them to be direct in love, refute and rebuke, because there were shy and timid people, there were also strong minded and "non-thinking talkers" in the mix.

In the last couple of years I touched a little on Socrates in my studies. He was the philosopher of the Gentiles, existed before Christ was born. Socrates taught that the body was a prison house of the soul.

Socrates was blunt and direct, but kept an open mind in discussion. Through his open mindness he was enlightened by true knowledge of Christ before His earthly incarnation.

The point of the prodigal son has an impact in this topic. We are all prodigal sons and daughters. The point of both sons was being forgiven and forgiven back into the Father's home. These were lessons for both sons and for us as well.

Thank you for initiating The Unlived Life. Keep writing!

God bless you and your family.
 
justanothersinner

Reflection is what brought be back to Christ, but it is not always a pleasant time. I’ve enjoyed a good life and took almost all my blessings for granted. Funny how, in times of hardship, blessing become more obvious.

As I get older, and I realize my road ahead is shorter than the road behind, it’s difficult not to think of missed opportunities or “things” I could have done better (or maybe even different).

I lived out one full career that I retired from several years ago. I am enjoying a second career, but that one is basically intended to get me to social security. Our five kids are now adults and we have an equal number of grandkids. At present, and for the foreseeable future, one of the kids (as well as his wife and two kids) are living with us, so the house is back to being a zoo (which I like).

I honestly have never been much for leaving the house. I too spend way too much time in front of this screen and not enough away from it. I guess I need a life too.
You sound like the ideal family man Ray plus you've held a stable job all your life to support the family. My work life is an embarrassment by comparison.
 
There is definitely a good vibe on this forum. A holy Spirit vibe I suspect though these things are hard to prove. I feel privileged to be on here and cant believe the forum is not more popular. All credit to you people running the show. Well done!
 
You sound like the ideal family man Ray plus you've held a stable job all your life to support the family. My work life is an embarrassment by comparison.
justanothersinner,

No one's work life should be an embarrassment. I was just fortunate that I knew what I wanted to do early on in life and found the right place to do it. Trust me, there have been some hard moment. As for a good family man... not really. I spent too much of my life focused on my career, when I should have focused on my family. Through the grace of God; however, it was not all that bad and I enjoy an incredible relationship with all of my "kids."

rtm3039
 
There is definitely a good vibe on this forum. A holy Spirit vibe I suspect though these things are hard to prove. I feel privileged to be on here and cant believe the forum is not more popular. All credit to you people running the show. Well done!
I too am a pit surprised that, taking into account how many members we have, it appears that only a few actually engage. Regardless, when I really needed guidance and prayers, these "few" came to my rescue and I am eternally grateful for that.

PS. Yes, you know who you are.....

rtm3039
 
There is definitely a good vibe on this forum. A holy Spirit vibe I suspect though these things are hard to prove. I feel privileged to be on here and cant believe the forum is not more popular. All credit to you people running the show. Well done!

All credit to our Lord!! We are very blessed to be here where we can all grow, learn, mature, help, support, and encourage one another.... fellowship.
It's awesome :
 
For all of our dedicated members: The CFS staff has tried our best to provide a safe and friendly place for Christian fellowshipping since 2006 and we take pride in knowing that CFS has made a difference in person's lives. While other forums allow intense debating, bickering, tension filled postings and the demeaning of others and their beliefs, the CFS forum is here to allow Christians to gather in friendship and to strengthen and support each other as a family. We thank everyone for being here as we offer CFS as a sanctuary for persons who are disenchanted with what is seen at other forums and wish to make CFS their Christian home on the net. Thank you all for being the backbone of this forum and for your wonderful participation.





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...
the unexamined life is not worth living (Socrates)
..
the unlived life is not worth examining (JAS)
...
We need to search and find discipline and of course in the context of this forum we need to find Jesus Christ or let Him find us. Then everything else should fall into place.
....
At any rate, we all need to get out of the house. Live life to the full. ...
....
My purpose in making this quote was to promote discussion anyway. Sorry I should have elaborated in the first place.

Indeed, there is time to reflect, contemplate, and there is time to get out of the house.

not to pit East vs West, am from the East btw :)

Every time i hear Socrates quote, it reminds me a complementary quote from Confucius. That is: even a sage may not know something that an ordinary men and women may be dealing with it in its utmost reaches.

"The way which the superior man pursues, reaches wide and far, and yet is secret. Common men and women, however ignorant, may intermeddle with the knowledge of it; yet in its utmost reaches, there is that which even the sage does not know."
- Confucius (Wikiquote)


and it the Christian context:
There may be ordinary man and women of Christian faith who may not be contemplative enough, but they can be living, more closely, more personally in its utmost reaches, have a closer relationship with God, with Jesus Christ.

NOTE:
Since there may be Christian brothers and sisters here who may have a negative connotation with secular Philosophy, i just like to add a clarification on how i see Philosophy, Philosopher's quote.

Indeed: we have to see it in Christian context.

i think we "know" better, people AFTER Christ, that is how i understand the following verses:

“Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it” (Matthew 13:17).

Ancient, righteous , Philosopher’s quote/thoughts are BEFORE Christ, it is man’s sole effort to seek the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. Thus, they may not be preaching Christ but more on secular standard of things of what is righteous.

But quoting them now in the current times, AFTER Christ, ie: we in the current times, heard and taught of the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE, we ought, I think, to take them on Christian context.

Why it has to be taken in Christian context ?: the bar was set high.

The standard of WISDOM, the bar of consciousness, of human knowledge, understanding why we are here, was raised, the bar was raised AFTER the WAY the TRUTH and the LIFE lived amongst us.
 
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