This is a blog about phrases Christians commonly say that the hearers may not understand, or they may understand it in a different way than the speaker intended. This is most often true when the hearer is not a Christian, but it can also be true when he is. I will state some of these Christian phrases below and will add to this blog from time to time as I think of others. I will welcome suggestions about other phrases (although I am not sure at this present time how you can communicate them to me).
‘=======================================================
JESUS IS MY PERSONAL SAVIOUR.
This could also be. “Accept Jesus as your personal savior.” What does the word “personal” mean? Some do not understand this phrasing or can be annoyed by it. We know that the Bible says that Jesus is the savior of all mankind, so some think adding “personal” is either useless or must mean something different.
I think a speaker uses the word “personal” to focus from Jesus’ general application to all mankind to the individual level. From all men to just one man - to the individual listener. The offering of salvation is meant for an individual person. While it is an open offering available to everyone, the speaker is telling the listener the offering made specifically to him. He should therefore take the opportunity to accept this offer. The decision can be to accept the offer, or to reject it. It is "personal" in the sense that the ability to accept or reject rests solely in the volition of the person who hears the offer. He is the agent, no one can act for him. At his hand lies two stamps: one says “Accept”, the other says “Reject”.
I have used the “Accept” stamp. I did this personally, by my own will, therefore Jesus is my personal savior.
‘=======================================================
COME TO CHRIST.
‘=======================================================
YOU MUST BE SAVED.
‘=======================================================
XXX.
