What defines a Christian?

[Orion Rules]

In these fora, I see misconceptions all the time about what makes a "good" Christian. Leftists/Liberals like to equate government welfare largess as fulfilling the idea of "feeding the poor", etc. rather than doing it out of their OWN resources, as it should be. But I submit the BIBLICAL definition of a Christian, as outlined throughout Scripture, is acknowledging there is absolutely zero good in mankind. Romans Chapter 3:9-20 talks about the unrighteousness of man, and that no good can ever earn him Heaven, nor a relationship with God. "What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. As it is written:

'There is no one righteous, not even one;
there is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.
All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.'" (NIV)

So basically, in God's economy because of our sin, we have zero chance at attaining Heaven, even though we might seem "good" or "moral", it is still not enough!
So what EXACTLY is the solution? The Cross! Christ's death on the cross is God's way to establish the relationship between Himself and mankind. This was the full payment for the penalty of our sins; past, present, and future. "As far as the East is from the West, I will remember your sins no more", says the Lord of Hosts. Does this give us license to sin? No, but God's forgiveness does give us true freedom in Him. This is the right definition of a Christian. The works we do come as a result of our salvation and the purpose is to bring others to the Cross.

It's just Bethere's.

[Mister D]

Do recent findings of early Christian writings (pre-Catholic Church) factor into the discussion?

Those are Jewish texts, Peter.

[roadmaster]

why?

Because they preach in season and out of season, the whole word of God. Canada sees the Bible as hate speech.

[Ann Fann]

What false prophets will tell you, "you must turn from all you sins", trust me you will sin after you are saved. He was talking about repentance meaning turn away from false gods and believe on Him. "You must attend a church, that is not what Jesus said in order to be saved. You must be Baptized, no not to be saved, you can do that afterwards but that doesn't save you. It's not a process, once you believe on Him you are saved right then and there. It takes faith to believe He is the only ticket to Heaven and was from the beginning

You know, you have a lot of nerve talking about false prophets with these comments.

So you can't turn from your sins, eh? This is from Matthew 5:

"Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

As far as going to Church goes, do you think Paul was a "false prophet" when he wrote this?


"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins..."

Go ahead and "believe" in Christ all you want (or whatever it is you think you are doing), but if you refuse to live into it, don't say nobody warned you.

James 1:19

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."

You have missed the whole point of the Gospel.

[Ann Fann]

Those are Jewish texts, Peter.

How about the early Church fathers.

[Peter1469]

Those are Jewish texts, Peter.

And?

[Mister D]

And?

And they aren't Christian writings. They're Jewish. The question was what defines a Christian. Um...

[Mister D]

How about the early Church fathers.

The Early Church Fathers are relevant. The Dead Sea Scrolls not so much.

[Cthulhu]

Ok a lot of people listen to false pastors instead of reading His word. It doesn't matter how good you think you are or how many people you helped.

To be a Christian saved you must believe there is nothing you can do to get to Heaven. All that is required is that you believe on Him, that He came down from Heaven the record God gave of His son, and you believe He is who He said He was the only begotten of the Father, was reborn, walked this earth, died for your sins, spent 3 days in Hell for you, rose and now at the right hand of the Father.

It doesn't matter how many people you help, you are not without sin only He was and He gets all the glory. Its a free gift for anyone who believes. You don't have to work for it if you did it wouldn't be free.

There are many who profess to be Christians depending on their works or how many rituals they attend, how many they help and completely miss His message. He doesn't know them.

Faith without works is dead.

Not saying good works buy your way to heaven - we're already bought with a price , his death and subsequent Resurrection. The atonement as well.

But his grace is the requirement, coupled with repentance and works/obedience and covenants.

Saying just believe and you're saved is lazy feel-good devil doctrine.

But hey, if that floats your goat - be my guest.

Sent from my evil cell phone.

[The Xl]

I'd like to think being a good person, but I'm not sure that's the case.