The role I unwittingly played in the decline of Christianity in America.

[Maria Billingsley]

Then a lot more Christians need to be, else the religion continue to be on the decline.

You are absolutely correct. We are a flesh driven creation and the only way we can achieve this is through the Holy Spirit.
Be blessed

 

[coffee4u]

I would say that wearing out Bibles shows a dedication to studying the word of god.

You are sidestepping.

Your question was "What does it take to earn the privilege of calling oneself a Christian?"

Belief, repentance, confession and acceptance is what you have to do. This is how you become a Christian.

If you are now asking "How does one live as a Christian?" Well that is another question.

 

[bekkilyn]

One can nominally be a Christian by identifying with the religion known as Christianity in some way.

One can be justified (saved) by acknowledging and confessing to be a sinner and accepting God's grace by receiving Christ into one's heart as Lord and Savior.

Many, many Christians stop right here. Sure, they might go to church or argue on the internet, but their lives are not transformed by the Spirit to become conformed to Christ, to love others as HE loves.

Salvation is a lifelong process, not an instantaneous altar call. If one is going to actually *follow* Jesus, if one is going to *practice* one's faith, then there is much, much more to be done. We must practice various spiritual disciplines (prayer, study, fasting, service to others, etc.) to place ourselves before God, to make ourselves accessible to his work of holiness in us.

James says in his letter that "faith without works is dead." James is not saying that we are justified (saved) by our works, but that once we have received the grace of God and the Spirit begins to transform our lives to be more conformed to Christ, there should be visible *evidence* to others that such is the case.

 

[Carl Emerson]

Being in love involves action.

Being in love motivates action...

 

[Rescued One]

Yet there are many who claim to possess the Holy Spirit yet do not act like it. This is why action should speak louder louder than words.

What people claim will align with what they do depending on whether or not the new birth occured. We can't give that birth to ourselves. Eternal life is a gift of God that results in and creates the new birth.

 

[durangodawood]

Those who came through proper channels were given appropriate "wedding clothes" (i.e. they were bathed/had their sins washed away). Being unwashed, this guy stood out as an exception.

The parable says nothing about proper channels nor being given wedding clothes, though. My sense of weddings is the invitation is the proper channel, and you come wearing the best youve got.

 

[bekkilyn]

How would you illustrate that with an example or two?

My sense is that being IS doing. I mean we're humans moving through time. We cant just "be", like rocks.

It's hard work being a rock.

 

[Sabertooth]

My sense of weddings is you come wearing the best youve got.

Then why did the King reject that man (and no others)?

 

[durangodawood]

Then why did the King reject that man (and no others)?

The parable tells us why: he didnt bother to put on his wedding clothes, while everyone else did. Sounds to me like a matter of respect for the occasion.

 

[KateforChrist]

The parable tells us why: he didnt bother to put on his wedding clothes, while everyone else did. Sounds to me like a matter of respect for the occasion.

From What is the meaning of the Parable of the Wedding Feast? | GotQuestions.org

"The matter of the wedding garment is instructive. It would be a gross insult to the king to refuse to wear the garment provided to the guests. The man who was caught wearing his old clothing learned what an offense it was as he was removed from the celebration.

This was Jesus’ way of teaching the inadequacy of self-righteousness. From the very beginning, God has provided a “covering” for our sin. To insist on covering ourselves is to be clad in “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Adam and Eve tried to cover their shame, but they found their fig leaves to be woefully scant. God took away their handmade clothes and replaced them with skins of (sacrificed) animals (Genesis 3:7, 21). In the book of Revelation, we see those in heaven wearing “white robes” (Revelation 7:9), and we learn that the whiteness of the robes is due to their being washed in the blood of the Lamb (verse 14). We trust in God’s righteousness, not our own (Philippians 3:9).

Just as the king provided wedding garments for his guests, God provides salvation for mankind. Our wedding garment is the righteousness of Christ, and unless we have it, we will miss the wedding feast. When the religions of the world are stripped down to their basic tenets, we either find man working his way toward God, or we find the cross of Christ. The cross is the only way to salvation (John 14:6). "

 

[Sabertooth]

Sounds to me like a matter of respect for the occasion.

Well, it wasn't. Self-righteousness is a filthy garment, per Isaiah 64:6.

 

[durangodawood]

From What is the meaning of the Parable of the Wedding Feast? | GotQuestions.org

"The matter of the wedding garment is instructive. It would be a gross insult to the king to refuse to wear the garment provided to the guests. The man who was caught wearing his old clothing learned what an offense it was as he was removed from the celebration.

This was Jesus’ way of teaching the inadequacy of self-righteousness. From the very beginning, God has provided a “covering” for our sin. To insist on covering ourselves is to be clad in “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Adam and Eve tried to cover their shame, but they found their fig leaves to be woefully scant. God took away their handmade clothes and replaced them with skins of (sacrificed) animals (Genesis 3:7, 21). In the book of Revelation, we see those in heaven wearing “white robes” (Revelation 7:9), and we learn that the whiteness of the robes is due to their being washed in the blood of the Lamb (verse 14). We trust in God’s righteousness, not our own (Philippians 3:9).

Just as the king provided wedding garments for his guests, God provides salvation for mankind. Our wedding garment is the righteousness of Christ, and unless we have it, we will miss the wedding feast. When the religions of the world are stripped down to their basic tenets, we either find man working his way toward God, or we find the cross of Christ. The cross is the only way to salvation (John 14:6). "

I see.

But where do we get that the king provided the wedding clothes? I dont see even a hint of that in the parable. My sense of these occasions is you prepare by going home and making the effort to dress up in your best.

 

[Sabertooth]

My sense of these occasions is you go home and make the effort to dress up in your best.

Per Isaiah 64:6, our own best effort is not enough; it stinks!

 

[Sabertooth]

@durangodawood , did you follow the link in post #4?

 

[durangodawood]

Per Isaiah 64:6, our own best effort is not enough; it stinks!

Yes. But, based on my sense of what you do for weddings, the parable indicates our own effort at dressing our best is good enough. It really seems the precise point of the parable, unless there's a bunch of culture-specific information we also need to know. Like was it typical in ancient Judea for a king/noble/etc to provide attire for all the guests?

 

[durangodawood]

@durangodawood , did you follow the link in post #4?

No. Didnt see that. Will check it out a little later.....

 

[DennisTate]

(Felt that the ethics forum was best suited for a discussion on standards)

What does it take to earn the privilege of calling oneself a Christian? Does simply saying you are a Christian clear the bar that constitutes what a Christian is? Let’s come back to that in a minute. I use to self identify as a Christian. I went to Church each week, went to Bible study weekly and fellowshipped weekly. So was I a Christian? No, I was not.

Monday through Saturday I lived an unmitigated life of sin, yet come Sunday I would go to Church and go through the motions. I did not believe in the Christian god at all and I made no effort to live my life by the example set by Christ. I went to Church because that is what I was taught from an early age as the right thing to do. At the time 90% of Americans self identified as Christian and there was immense social pressure to conform, which is a large reason why I went to Church. I had also been taught that the way to resolve my problems required a belief in god and to be moral one must serve god. I now know that not to be the case.

So how was I a part of the problem in terms of adding to the decline of Christianity in America you may ask? The answer is simple... I was a Christian in name only and was a hypocrite. I did not understand that at the time as I had deluded myself into thinking that I was actually a Christian. It takes more than simply going through the motions to be a Christian by my measure. How many nonbelievers looked at my pathetic hypocritical demonstration of a quasi Christianity and thought to themselves “if Robert is an example of what a Christian is then no thanks!”.

So what does it take to to earn the privilege of calling oneself a Christian?

First let’s examine an endeavor that I have gone all in on. In the late 80’s I pulled the loaded shotgun out of my mouth and decided it was better to try to sober up in a 12 Step meeting that to blow my head off. For the better part of the next decade I made studying, practicing and teaching others those 12 Steps the top priority in my life. I worked 8 hours a day, had a family to attend to and each night I went to a 12 Step meeting looking to help others escape their addiction as I did. The night would often end by 11 P.M. and sometimes later. During those 10 years I went through no less than three of the books that contained the 12 Steps as I referenced it so often that after a few years they would simply fall apart. During those 10 years I approached countless alcoholics/addicts and invited them out for coffee and a talk. To say that I was committed to the process would be an understatement. I was dealing with life and death, knew it and took it very seriously. I use this example to mark a distinct difference in my approach to overcoming my addiction vs my going through the motions in Church.

How long have you been a Christian? How many Bibles have you worn out? How much time do you spend each week studying scripture and contemplating how best to mold your life to better exemplify the teachings of Christ in your daily actions? How much time do you spend engaged in altruistic endeavors? Rhetorical questions meant to be food for thought.

If we want to change then we get out of it what we put into it. If we put little into it we get little to nothing in return. If we put a lot into it the we get a lot in return. If living your life by the example of Christ is a top priority in your life then it will show in your actions, including the time you spend in study and the time you spend placing into action that which was learned through the study, prayer and contemplation.

So what does it take to be a Christian in my subjective opinion. The answer is a lot! It certainly takes more than self identifying as a Christian or simply going through the motions. It takes hard work, commitment and an unyielding drive to continually move one’s thoughts and actions to becoming more in line with the example set by Christ.

Thoughts? Additions? Criticism?

Personally..... I am impressed with your exceptional honesty and I believe that within five to ten years you might just be able to write a book and do a series of lectures online that could assist in transforming many lives.

Your honesty and humility is a phenomenal beginning.......
to a radical conversion experience if you really want it?

I have a question for you........
do you like me believe that Mr. Dean Braxton is telling the truth about his experience to the best of his ability?

He admits that the English language seems inadequate for some of what he saw, smelled, heard and experienced.

Note... I wrote all of what I wrote above before finishing your entire opening post.......Now I am really impressed now that I know how hard you have been working to assist others to get off alcohol and other drugs..... Wow!!!

Now I am thinking that you could well already write that book even though you term yourself an Agnostic.......but I will be interested in how you react to Dean Braxton......... By the way....... In 1990 I put a bullet in a 30.30 so I can really identify with much of what you write!

My story as to why I decided against finishing things back then were somewhat similar to yours..... but more extreme.

This is some background information......and I may send you a personal message to add some details. My blog fills in some gaps as well.

My conversation with the Rabbi.....

 

[Sabertooth]

But, based on my sense of what you do for weddings, the parable indicates our own effort at dressing our best is good enough.

Per Isaiah 64:6, nobody else had their own proper wedding clothes to wear, either.

 

[Hazelelponi]

Wow. Interesting and mysterious. I mean how could there even be "party crashers" if the king explicitly invited everyone?

Not being fussy. Genuinely questioning here.

The man was given, as a gift, a wedding garment (traditional). He was not wearing it, so the King threw him out.

Your invited, your offered a gift to cover you - if you don't go with the covering given you, you will be condemned.

Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Matthew 7:22-23

 

[Hazelelponi]

The parable says nothing about proper channels nor being given wedding clothes, though. My sense of weddings is the invitation is the proper channel, and you come wearing the best youve got.

No.. you need to understand the historical context here. Historically, if a King offered people to come, he would have given them a garment to wear for the celebration.