And as I slept, I dreamed a dream. I dreamed, and, behold—I saw a man clothed with rags, standing with his face turned away from his own house, with a Book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back. I looked, and saw him open the Book, and read therein; and as he read, he wept and trembled! And not being able to contain himself any longer—he broke out with a lamentable cry, saying, "What shall I do?"
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What was Christian's burden and how did it come to be?
- Thread starter AustinC
- Start date
24 Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? Ro 7
21 I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. Ro 7
You can add this to it... Brother Glen
Romans 7: 9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
Christian's burden was his sins.
He became aware of his sins through the faithful preaching of Evangelist.
He became aware of his sins through the faithful preaching of Evangelist.
Question of clarification. Didn't Christian have his burden before Evangelist came and therefore was aware of his sins before Evangelist?
You are quite right; it's been a while since I read the book. On looking again at the early pages, Christian's consciousness of his burden seems to have come from his reading of the Bible, but of course, many people read the Bible without becoming aware of their sins just as they listen to preaching without such awareness (1 Corinthians 2:14).
It is God the Holy Spirit who must open the heart to receive the things of God, and conviction (of sin) will usually come before conversion.
atpollard
Well-Known Member
One can be aware of the weight of the hopelessness of their cause long before the “Evangelist” comes to illuminate them to the possibility of hope.
Romans 10:14-15
Romans 10:14-15
How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"
So just to be clear, you guys are saying that true conversion brings about the peace of God in our lives and releases us from the penalty of sin?
I want to be clear on this!
I want to be clear on this!
atpollard
Well-Known Member
Good heavens no.
We would never tell anyone that their sins are forgiven. We only preach Hell and Damnation, molest children and hate homosexuals (because of our deep homophobia). We are “Christians” … don’t you read the papers or watch TV?
BINGO!
6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Mt 5
How did Christian become aware?
7 `Thou mayest not wonder that I said to thee, It behoveth you to be born from above;
8 the Spirit where he willeth doth blow, and his voice thou dost hear, but thou hast not known whence he cometh, and whither he goeth; thus is every one who hath been born of the Spirit.` Jn 3:8
Was Christian already born of the Spirit while carrying his burden?
How did he get his burden in the 1st place? Was it before or after being born of the Spirit?
1 Corinthians 2:14-15
Is there any mention of an 'evangelist' here?
No! There's absolutely no human involvement in the heavenly birth:
13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Jn 1
He got his burden the way we all get ours, at birth!... Brother Glen
Psalms 51: 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
How could Christian even know he had a burden without being born of the Spirit?
Ephesians 2: 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
The evangelist ONLY job is to tell you it is God alone, who does the eternal work!... Brother Glen
Philippians 2: 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Btw... How can you work out at something you don't already have?
The evangelist ONLY job is to tell you it is God alone, who does the eternal work!... Brother Glen
10 but hath now been manifested by the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 2 Tim 1:10
Through it, not by it... But there is a gospel that saves eternally... It is not written on paper using pen and ink but it is written in the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ... The Living Gospel... Brother Glen