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| What IS a Christian Anyway? |
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I got to thinking about this question this morning. My brother says he is a Christian, yet he doesn’t attend any church (and does not have church in his home), he doesn’t “hang out” with other Christians, doesn’t read the bible, doesn’t believe that Jesus is the Son of God…and yet he claims to be a Christian. When I asked how he can call himself a Christian, he said that he did believe in God…so apparently that qualifies as enough criteria to call himself a Christian. However, I disagree.
The Miriam Webster Online Dictionary had this to say:
1Chris·tian Pronunciation: \'kris-chən, 'krish-\ Function: noun Etymology: Latin christianus, adjective & noun, from Greek christianos, from Christos Date: 1526 1 a: one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ b (1): disciple 2 (2): a member of one of the Churches of Christ separating from the Disciples of Christ in 1906 (3): a member of the Christian denomination having part in the union of the United Church of Christ concluded in 19612: the hero in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress
The Onelook Online Dictionary had this to say:
noun: a religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and who is a member of a Christian denomination adjective: relating to or characteristic of Christianity (Example: "Christian rites") adjective: following the teachings or manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus Christ
There are two things that jump out at me right away.
1. A Christian is a person that believes in Jesus Christ 2. A Christian is a person who is a member of a Christian denomination.
Not only should we believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, but we must also be a member of a Christian denomination in order to call ourselves Christians. I might add that we should also study His word, the bible, and try to learn more about Him and the history of the bible. Merely believing in God does not a Christian make. Many people believe there is a God, and even the devil acknowledges there is a God.
I believe, there are a lot of people out there who think they are Christians, but really don’t have a clue what being a Christian is all about. No doubt, you must believe in Jesus, and it is beneficial to belong to a church, and to read the bible. But if you don’t change the way you live after accepting Jesus into your heart, can you really be a Christian? Yes, we make mistakes, we continue to sin. But if our hearts long to “be like Christ”, if our souls ache for a relationship with Him, if our minds desperately try to think “only good thoughts”, and we sincerely with our whole body and soul, want to praise Him, thank Him, and live our lives for Him, then, and only then, can we call ourselves Christians. You can’t just believe there is a God. There is a whole lot more to it than that.
3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 3:15 This wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity. 3:18 And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
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Coreena |
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November 16, 2007 at 8:05am |
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| Even the devil believes in God--that certainly doesn't make him a Christian. I explain it to others this way. I believe Hitler was a Nazi. Does that make me one? In the same way believing Jesus is the Son of God or believing that God exists does not make you a Christian. You must be vitally connected to Him as explained in the gospel of John. |
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I was one of these "I'm a Christian" people too. I put a lot of people off to Christianity! My ex husband for one, and many, many school mates! I considered myself such because I believed the Gospel message (and I knew it with youth group, Awana's, church and Sunday School, plus the family devotion times out of Daily Bread). I also prayed at night before I went to bed. I knew demons were real, as well as angels, because I was super sensitive to that stuff. I read my Bible once in a while; especially the Psalms when i was suicidal in my teen years. I even listened to a little bit of Christian music. I thought I knew God, but I only knew of Him. There is a difference. You gotta have a personal relationship. Even though I prayed, and even knew the Scriptures quite well, it meant nothing. There was no repentance and no surrender. But there is hope even for the so-called Christian, because I was one. I only hope that I can influence more people for the good of the Gospel, than I did to turn people off to it. Interesting you mentioned belonging to a church/denomination. I was going to write a blog on that. I may still. |
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Deb |
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November 16, 2007 at 11:38am |
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Coreena, I agree that we must be truly connected to God, know Him in a personal way, and rely on Him for everything...you can't just believe, but you must be willing to change your life for Him.
Lara, I too at one time thought I was a Christian, I thought I knew Him but I only knew of Him, like you said. There is a big difference in truly knowing God, and only knowing of Him. |
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| I was one of those.... I believed Jesus came, died and arose for our sins... I believed in prayer... I believed there was a hell.... but... what I didn't realize was that I had not turned my life over to My Father. Praise the Lord I saw the Light!!! Thank you for an awesome post! I also have a brother that sounds just like yours. |
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I think this belief stems from culture and surroundings. If someone similar to your brother was raised in what they consider a Christian home and follows the morals set forth by "Christian" family and "Christian" government, it is possible that they would assume that they too are Christian.
This is an all too common scenario, and we are commissioned to help those to see the error in their belief. |
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for me a Christian is a person with a relationship with Christ one who knows not of him but knows Him. A CHRISTIAN hears Christs Voice ""for my sheep will hear my voice." one who obayes that voice. I used to think all "christians" especially music leaders and musisians HEARD Him singing to them. Then we were practicing In The Garden and the 80+year old pianist complained but he doesn't come and speak with a voice sweeter than the birds when you are in the Garden or eleswhere. It shocked me for the most joyous moments of my life are the times Jesus sings to me with a full angel choir behind that sweetest of voices. Pity any who have not Heard the voice of Jesus. |
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| I think the first thing is the critical one. Not being a member of a denomination....well it doesn't matter. The first one does...but not just believing in Him, but believing He died, was buried, and rose again. The rest is working out our salvation daily. See, even Satan believes in God, and believes Jesus died, was buried, and rose again...doesn't make that slimy serpent a Christian does it? No, knowing in our heart that He died for our sins and confessing with our mouth that He is Lord...that is pretty much it...IMHO |
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I'm new to the whole MyChurch thing and was just clicking around and saw your blog. My father-in-law calls himself a "Christian" because, as he states it, he believes in God. He doesn't however, believe that Jesus is the Son of God but just another great charismatic leader. I've told him that that makes him Jewish as far as I can reckon. Needless to say it didn't go over too well but it is true that if you don't believe Jesus is our Lord and Savior then you are something other than Christian. Being a Christian, as I am learning more each day, is about belief in Jesus as well as wanting to live a life based on His teachings. He not only tells us how we should live but offers His strength as He walks through our days with us. To borrow something from a recent sermon at my Church, Jesus is the master of the craft of living life well and we should all become His apprentices. In othe words, we should all strive to learn as much of His ways as possible to be true and faithful disciples. Then we can try to apply it to our daily lives and if it is God's will live life well.
LI2C Dave |
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Gene |
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November 16, 2007 at 3:34pm |
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Being a Christian means that you have accepted the fact that you are not perfect and that God demands perfection; but He sent Jesus, as "God with us" to show us how to live. If we can accept that idea and choose to follow Him as His disciple, we then become like Him - "Little Christs" (aka Christians). As disciples, we then seek to be an example of what He asked of us - that we Love one another, even as He loved us. And, let us not forget who it is that Jesus said is "our brother."
Doing the things in items #1 and #2 may be steps in the process but the key is to choose to follow Jesus as His disciple. The rest is methodology.
Thanks, Deb, for asking the important question. |
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Carolyn |
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November 16, 2007 at 7:47pm |
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| I run across people all the time who say they are christians and do not attend church anywhere. I'm not saying that going to church makes you a christian, but if you're truly a christian, your desire is to be in the house of the Lord with other believers and your lifestyle will change. Just knowing there is a God will not take you to Heaven. You must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified, dead, buried and risen and you must accept Him into your heart. You must be covered with the blood because that is your only connection to God the Father. Many are called, but few are chosen. When you are ready to get serious with the Lord, run to Him with all your might. He is waiting for you with outstretched arms. |
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Deb |
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November 17, 2007 at 7:48am |
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Cheryl, I will pray for your brother as well as mine, that they will see the light like we did!
Rich, I agree that if someone was raised in what they believe are Christian values, that they may think just because of that, that they are Christians. It is our responsibility to help them see what being a Christian truly means.
Valerie, God may speak to people, but if they aren't listening, they won't hear. Only those that truly have an honest relationship with Him, can hear His voice.
DC, I think that anyone who does not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, sent here to save us, cannot be a Christian, because that is what it is all about.
LI2C Dave, welcome to MyChurch. My brother thinks the way your dad does. He says Christ was just another charismatic leader. Not the Son of God. That is so sad, and we can only pray that God will reveal Himself to these people. Thanks for your comments.
Gene, you are right, we have to not only be believers but we have to act out our faith.
Carolyn, no, going to church doesn't make you a Christian, but it is a healthy way to live a Christian life...being around other believers can strengthen our faith and help us in our daily walk. |
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I was thinking about what Voice in DC said. "even Satan believes in God, and believes Jesus died, was buried, and rose again." I would suggest that maybe rather than believing, Satan actually knows. He's witnessed it all, whereas we who haven't witnessed it must exercise faith. Faith is rewarded, but sight is... well, it's merely seeing. Furthermore, believing in God can also be thought of as putting one's trust in him. Satan certainly doesn't put any trust in God, in fact, he's the father of putting trust in oneself rather than God!
Good blog, Deb. You really know how to get people thinking! ~mike |
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Deb |
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November 17, 2007 at 8:35am |
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| Mike, Thank you! Faith is an amazing thing, and someone who truly follows Jesus, has to make the decision to believe. In making that decision, God will show Himself to us. I am so thankful that I know Him personally! |
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Being a Christian means all of these things and being active in your faith. You can not call yourself a Christian but do whatever is pleasing to you. You must hand your life over to Him and let Him be your teacher/guide/master. In a Sunday School song we teach the kids
I am a C
I am a CH
I am a CHRISTIAN
and I have CHRIST
in my HEART
and I will live ETERNALLY...... |
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Deb |
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November 17, 2007 at 12:16pm |
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| Thenuthouse5, I would agree that we have to live according to what Christ wants, not what we want. Not always easy to do, but we should strive to do it anyway. Thanks for your comments! |
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| Been there and done that... took me awhile to get with the program but once I was saved it was all about Christ..Thanks for sharing |
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Deb |
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November 17, 2007 at 12:29pm |
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| Giving my all, I have been there too, and I am so glad I saw the light. Thanks for your comments. |
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ANNE |
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November 19, 2007 at 7:59am |
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| I am glad you included scriptural reference as to what a Christian is, because that is where we get the real definition of what being a Christian is about. If we "know them by thier fruits" then that tells us that actions are a big part of identifying true Christian brothers and sisters. Yet, many people are good folk, and are not Christians, so it takes more than being kind and giving. Christianity involves being Christ-like. God's word says to not forsake the assembling together (meaning fellowship with other Christians, and attending church). Obedience to the Lord is another step in being a Christian. Ahh, the Word is full of what Christianity means. I have no doubt that since you are praying for your brother, he will see all this clearly one day. We all have so much to learn!!! |
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Deb |
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November 19, 2007 at 9:25am |
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| Anne, yes we do have so much to learn...every time I read the bible, I glean something new from it. And obedience is something I am still learning constantly...I really appreciate your comments! |
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JJ |
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November 25, 2007 at 9:46pm |
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Here are a few thoughts:
1 John 2:3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But if anyone obeys his word, God's love[b] is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
So what are God's Commands for us?
Mark 12-29 ...'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.[e] 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'[f] 31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[g]There is no commandment greater than these."
If you ask me the definition of a Christian is someone who does thier best to follow the 2 commandments above and has faith that Jesus will atone for their sins at judgment. You may ask, what their best is? What does that mean? Most people will compare how hard they have been working to how hard other people should be working, but that is not how God sees it according to the bible:
Matt 20 9-16: "The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. 10So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.' 13"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 16"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
Remember his graciousness is sometimes beyond our comprehension...
I feel as though their is a lot of judgment and hypocrisy in some of the comments above, I would just remind everyone that the most "Holy Jews" of Jesus' day were called "Sons of Hell" by Jesus...
Maybe if we all approach "those" Christians with a heart of love instead of judgment, they may be excited about improving their relationship with Christ or even starting a new relationship with him...
To me being a Christian is about a journey and that journey is different for everyone, for some it starts with a mere belief that there is a God and then years later or even on their death bed, it culminates with the true acceptance of Christ as their savior. For others like many if us the fire for Chirst burns bright and strong at certain times and waines at others, but none of that really matters, because it isn't really up to us to determine if "those" Christians are really Christians or not. But is is our job to be the salt and the light and guide the way for "those" Christians and others to become more like Christ.
Sorry if I sound judgmental myself, but I remember being an atheist and being very turned off by "real and holy practicing Christians" because of how I was judged for asking alot of the hard questions about Christianity.
1 John 4:7 Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Do you know if "those Christians" Love?
Do you know what God has planned for their life and what their role will be in God's Plan?
For those who Love the Holy Spirit will draw them near... In his time, in his plan, in his way.
Who are we to say who loves and who doesn't? Afterall God is love!
Again sorry for the rant, I just felt I should offer my thoughts.
Cheers and God Bless
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Deb |
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November 26, 2007 at 11:29am |
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JJ, I really appreciate your comments. I agree that it is not up to us to determine who is a Christian and who isn't. God will sift it all out at the end. Our job should be to show the light of Jesus. If people choose not to follow, that is there problem...if God wants to draw them to Himself, He will do it in His timing. I am here to love them, regardless of their beliefs.
Tropical Guy, amen to that! |
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Gene |
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November 28, 2007 at 1:43pm |
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And another "Amen" to what Tropical Guy Dennis says!
(Of course, Brother Steve would argue that you need to get wet yet.)
Great blog, Deb. |
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