Stationary Christian

What does a stationary Christian look like? and how does one know if they have become one?
If we look inside ourselves truthfully can we honestly say we are not stationary? what would be the definition or fruits of someone who has grown stationary how would we tell if one is and what can we do to change it?

This came up in a conversation with a friend and I just felt like it would be a good topic to discuss as well as self reflect

I am assuming that by stationary you mean not moving, fixed in place, or unchanging in condition. If so, then this is the primary reason why I believe so many people who profess to know Christ are stationary.

1Pe 1:22
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1Pe 1:23
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1Pe 1:24
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
1Pe 1:25
But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
1Pe 2:1
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
1Pe 2:2
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1Pe 2:3
If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

In other words, they have never truly been born again, or they have never truly tasted of the real grace of God that brings salvation.

Tit 2:11
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Tit 2:13
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Tit 2:15
These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts?
Living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world?
Being redeemed from all iniquity or from that which is unequal to God's ways?
Being purified unto God as a peculiar people who are zealous of good works?

Brother, I said this little sinner's prayer, and now I am once saved, always saved!

The true born again Christian will initially have a strong desire for the milk of God's word that they might grow thereby. They will eventually graduate to eating the meat of God's word as they ever press towards growing up unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Eph. 4:13). Good luck trying to budge somebody who was never told that they needed to budge while receiving a false gospel presentation. Such folks might be looking for the blessed hope, but their beliefs surrounding that are usually messed up as well (the great escape).

In essence, this is the gospel message which they have embraced.

Say this little prayer, and you never need to change. If anybody tells you that you need to change, then they are a Pharisaical promoter of works salvation. Just believe, and when things get rough in the world, God will rapture you out of it.

How can someone move from the stationary category to being a true follower of Jesus Christ?

Heb 5:12
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb 5:13
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Heb 6:1
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Heb 6:2
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Heb 6:3
And this will we do, if God permit.

By examining themselves to see if they have ever truly embraced the first principles of the oracles of God or the principles of the doctrine of Christ. And what are those first principles?

Repentance from dead works.
Faith towards God.
The doctrine of baptisms (water and Holy Ghost).
The laying on of hands.
The resurrection of the dead.
Eternal judgment.

Do you know how many people who profess to know Christ I have personally encountered who don't even believe in repentance from dead works? Thousands of them.

Brother, repentance is only a change of mind!

Do you know how many people who profess to know Christ I have personally encountered who don't even believe in the doctrine of baptisms? Thousands of them.

Brother, I don't need to be water baptized! That's works salvation!

And on and on it goes.

I am assuming that by stationary you mean not moving, fixed in place, or unchanging in condition. If so, then this is the primary reason why I believe so many people who profess to know Christ are stationary.

1Pe 1:22
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
1Pe 1:23
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
1Pe 1:24
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
1Pe 1:25
But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
1Pe 2:1
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
1Pe 2:2
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
1Pe 2:3
If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

In other words, they have never truly been born again, or they have never truly tasted of the real grace of God that brings salvation.

Tit 2:11
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Tit 2:13
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Tit 2:15
These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts?
Living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world?
Being redeemed from all iniquity or from that which is unequal to God's ways?
Being purified unto God as a peculiar people who are zealous of good works?

Brother, I said this little sinner's prayer, and now I am once saved, always saved!

The true born again Christian will initially have a strong desire for the milk of God's word that they might grow thereby. They will eventually graduate to eating the meat of God's word as they ever press towards growing up unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Eph. 4:13). Good luck trying to budge somebody who was never told that they needed to budge while receiving a false gospel presentation. Such folks might be looking for the blessed hope, but their beliefs surrounding that are usually messed up as well (the great escape).

In essence, this is the gospel message which they have embraced.

Say this little prayer, and you never need to change. If anybody tells you that you need to change, then they are a Pharisaical promoter of works salvation. Just believe, and when things get rough in the world, God will rapture you out of it.

How can someone move from the stationary category to being a true follower of Jesus Christ?

Heb 5:12
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Heb 5:13
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Heb 6:1
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Heb 6:2
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
Heb 6:3
And this will we do, if God permit.

By examining themselves to see if they have ever truly embraced the first principles of the oracles of God or the principles of the doctrine of Christ. And what are those first principles?

Repentance from dead works.
Faith towards God.
The doctrine of baptisms (water and Holy Ghost).
The laying on of hands.
The resurrection of the dead.
Eternal judgment.

Do you know how many people who profess to know Christ I have personally encountered who don't even believe in repentance from dead works? Thousands of them.

Brother, repentance is only a change of mind!

Do you know how many people who profess to know Christ I have personally encountered who don't even believe in the doctrine of baptisms? Thousands of them.

Brother, I don't need to be water baptized! That's works salvation!

And on and on it goes.

Can you supply further information about you conversation? I am interested in the origin of the idea, when I think about it there could be several unique ideas.
1). Stationary as in letters and the exchange of letters is the first type of Christian activity I thought of, the letters of Paul and others are essential to our faith.

2) A stationary Christian lifestyle could take two routes ending in two different destinations:
[Mat 13:30 KJV] 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

That was a good sermon. (Won't need to go to church this week :^)

Do push-ups and read the Bible. Sounds kinda funny advice, but I am very serious even though it is simple advice, try it. It's an ideal time as well in the stationary icy grip of Winter. Then at the breaking of this year's Spring you shall be well prepared, get strong in body and mind, when it warms up and God rejuvenates the Earth around you then rise up and take hold of the greater blessings which God will pour out abundantly and remember to praise Jesus.

I've looked everyone in my home, but I cannot seem to find your offering.

Maybe it slipped behind a dresser or something?

On a serious note, it is my sad observation that many people who name the name of Christ have not only skipped/ignored/rejected the first principles of the oracles of God, but they have also totally rejected the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of both knowledge and wisdom. Furthermore, many of them have never sat down first and counted the cost, as Jesus said we need to, and part of the reason for that is that they were presented with a false gospel message with no actual cost attached to it. You know, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. Just say this little prayer, and you're in." If one starts off wrong, or if one bypasses those things which are first and the beginning, then they are inevitably going to head down the wrong path, and it is very difficult to get them to ever go back to the actual starting line.

As unpopular a message as it is today, we must lose our lives to find them. There is no such thing as a new birth unless the old man has truly been crucified with Christ, buried with him in baptism, and raised up into a new life of servitude unto God. This is what scripture teaches, but it is a far cry from what many professing Christians preach or have embraced themselves. Hence the stationary or immovable status of so many within what professes to be Christendom today. I wish that I was mistaken in my assessment, but I know that I am not. If nothing else, then I continue to work on myself. After all, my will is the only will that I have control of. Well, unless you talk to a Calvinist, and you already know how that goes.

The fear of the Lord is something I think has been swept under the rug,

the conversation was basically about what my friend calls a stationary Christian where they are fine where they are at in their walk and lack that hunger or drive
he also considers a lot of debates on this forum to be stationary not going anywhere always being added on to but never going anywhere.

I asked also what he thought about stationary Christians when it comes to the word of God he says a lot of people on here seem to be just that which is why so many seem to just debate never changing their minds or changing anyone elses minds.
The term stationary interested me as well and made me wonder if I have become stationary myself in some way in my prayer life my studies my walk in general he told me that if I was stationary he couldn't tell simply because I searched myself but I think a true stationary Christian might not even realize they are being stationary

Swept under the rug? More like buried out back somewhere.

2Co 6:14
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2Co 6:15
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2Co 6:16
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
2Co 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Everybody loves the promises just cited, but how many people are putting the therefore into practice? In other words, how many who name the name of Christ are truly cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit while perfecting holiness in the fear of God? I have personally met thousands of professing Christians who will tear your head off if you even suggest that we are supposed to fear God. Anyhow, by rejecting the fear of God, perfecting holiness goes right out the window, or stationary and immovable rule the day.

For whatever it is worth, I believe that your heart is in the right place where this thread is concerned, and I appreciate that you raised this most important question. Granted, many people will not like the correct answers to it, but maybe the light will go on for at least one person here, and that will make it all worthwhile.

I've looked everyone in my home, but I cannot seem to find your offering.

Maybe it slipped behind a dresser or something?

On a serious note, it is my sad observation that many people who name the name of Christ have not only skipped/ignored/rejected the first principles of the oracles of God, but they have also totally rejected the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of both knowledge and wisdom. Furthermore, many of them have never sat down first and counted the cost, as Jesus said we need to, and part of the reason for that is that they were presented with a false gospel message with no actual cost attached to it. You know, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. Just say this little prayer, and you're in." If one starts off wrong, or if one bypasses those things which are first and the beginning, then they are inevitably going to head down the wrong path, and it is very difficult to get them to ever go back to the actual starting line.

As unpopular a message as it is today, we must lose our lives to find them. There is no such thing as a new birth unless the old man has truly been crucified with Christ, buried with him in baptism, and raised up into a new life of servitude unto God. This is what scripture teaches, but it is a far cry from what many professing Christians preach or have embraced themselves. Hence the stationary or immovable status of so many within what professes to be Christendom today. I wish that I was mistaken in my assessment, but I know that I am not. If nothing else, then I continue to work on myself. After all, my will is the only will that I have control of. Well, unless you talk to a Calvinist, and you already know how that goes.

Agreed. Of course, our old man being circumcised or crucified with Christ--although it means we are imputed the righteousness of Christ--does not mean we attain actual moral maturity instantly without going through the LGW process in life.

These are the the characteristics of the church of Laodicea:

[Rev 3:14-22 KJV] 14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

BTW, does anyone want to discuss the location of Jesus at the time this vision was given to John?

[Rev 1:9-16 KJV] 9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
What day was this?

11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send [it] unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks [one] like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
14 His head and [his] hairs [were] white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes [were] as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance [was] as the sun shineth in his strength.

I don't know what you mean by the LGW process. What does LGW stand for?

Learning God's Word, as in MT 4:4, EPH 4:12-17, 2TM 3:16-17 (& part of my initials :^)

That would have been my guess, but I figured that I ought to ask to be sure. Thank you for clarifying. If the GW in your username stands for God's Word, then what does the H stand for?

I had never considered that! But now that you prompted me, I will say "hope", as in the following GW:

hope of glory (CL 1:27)
hope of salvation (1THS 5:7)
hope of eternal life (TIT 1:2)
joyful in hope (RM 12:12)
called to one hope (EPH 4:4)
endurance inspired by hope in our LJC (1THS 1:3)

Thanks! :^)

I would say it is an anagram of God's holy word