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I have prayed for you concerning recent events in this thread. However, I certainly did suggest to address Him in public here on this thread, intended to produce your agreement. I will respect your reservation, which is why I asked before doing it. It sounds like you are confident to navigate your walk of faith anyway, so it probably isn't needed. I wasn't certain though of your relationship with Him, so partly that is why I asked, to find out.Yes I do indeed pray, I've tried to do so daily, even if on occasion it's only been a few brief words. - I won't lie, I'm not entire sure what would be ment by "pray with" as apposed to "pray for", at least in an online setting, thought the latter I am certainly comfortable with and indeed would welcome.
Please read my post again. No, here, let me repeat what I wrote:
"These are not essentials for salvation; they are products of salvation. If you are truly saved, these things will manifest in your life - though not necessarily in their fullest degree right away."
The OP asked if he was saved or not and I simply gave him the means by which to judge himself regarding salvation. I did not say - or imply - that "the products of salvation were most important for someone seeking God and looking into Christianity." So, no, my comments were not putting the cart before the horse.
Again, what did I actually write:
"If you are truly saved, these things will manifest in your life - though not necessarily in their fullest degree right away."
And the verses I posted were not taken out of context or spun in any way. They all clearly state a relationship between the conduct they describe and genuine salvation. If you have a problem with these verses, I suggest you take it up with the Author of them.
2 Corinthians 13:5
5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified.
There is very much a place for examining whether or not one is in the faith. The OP is trying to do this. There is no biblical prohibition against new believers making such an examination of themselves and the apostle Paul recommends it. I think, then, your concerns are rather misplaced.
Exactly at what point is a believer allowed to check to see if they are truly saved? Hmmm? Do you have some verse, perhaps, that lays out the proper time for a believer to do so? If not, why do you get to decide for all of us when the proper time is?
Selah.
It is very popular to place all these criteria on the new in Christ to prove that they are indeed saved, it is a shame.
Hi All,
Firstly this has turned out rather long so I apologise and thank anyone who has the patience to read it all.
I have absolutely no idea how to really go about putting down what I want to convey so I’ll start with a basic question and then throw in some back ground , feel free to ask as many questions as you want.
So the question is as the title: “Am I Christian?”
Some background: As a kid (Around 10-12) I went to Sunday school and was in a church choir (At a method church in case it matters) although I have no idea how that came about or why it stopped as to the best of my memory / knowledge no one in my family is religious and has never been to church apart from for funerals / weddings / Christenings (Which by the way I’m pretty sure I have been).
Fast forward the best part of 20 years: During which time I’ve never given any consideration to religion, if anyone had asked I would have said I was an Agnostic (although due to poor knowledge on the definitions I would have said Atheist at the time).
Now for whatever reason, a month ago I suddenly found myself thinking of God / Christ, I started reading the bible and saying a prayer almost every day since.
During this time I’ve asked myself daily "Do I believe in God?", "Do I believe Christ died for our sins?" Etc. And although every time when I ask myself directly like that the answer has been yes, almost without hesitation, I still find a while later I suddenly start questioning my answer “Do you really believe that? Are you sure? The answer to these always comes out as yes as well but the fact they keep coming up at all makes up uncomfortable labelling myself a Christian, as if I may be lying to myself, hence why for the moment I’ve opted for “Seeker” as my profile title.
Other thoughts on how I’ve changed recently.
Sex – I’ve always been of the mind that sex should not be a casual thing and should be reserved for someone you’re in a loving relationship with (though I would never previously have considered that only between a husband wife was necessary) but I have always been an avid user of porn / fantasy for personal sexual benefit on a daily basis. – When “this” began though my mind set completely changed, I deleted any porn I had / stopped viewing it online and stopped masturbating , though I admit I have given in to the urge a couple of times. I now even find myself averting my gaze from the TV at imes, not necessarily sex scenes, often it may only because some ones provocatively dressed, as I find myself feeling uncomfortable.
Language – Previously profanity was essentially normal language when talking with peers / colleagues (though never at home) but now I no longer feel that I need or want to use that language, though currently finding it hard to overcome 15+ years of habit entirely and they keep slipping out. Although what worries me more than direct profanity is that I keep finding myself using phrases like “For God’s sake” or “God knows” and these make me cringe the second I hear them come out of my mouth.
General – I now find that in situations that would previously have caused me to get quite stressed, that I’m remain calm a lot easier. I’m mainly thinking of situations such as being stuck in traffic or beyond a slower driver, where previously I would have cursed them out under my breath and at times driven aggressively I am now able to sit back and relax until the issue resolves itself and there examples in my work environment as well.
And it would seem that you do trust in Christ, you are, therefore a Christian. If you are not part of a church, I'd recommend being part of one and talking to the pastor/priest about receiving Baptism if you were not already baptized. If you are most comfortable at a Methodist Church, given your prior experience, that sounds like a pretty good place to start.
-CryptoLutheran
Firstly thanks everyone again for their input, I have been reading and trying to digest all that has been said.
Hi All,
Firstly this has turned out rather long so I apologise and thank anyone who has the patience to read it all.
I have absolutely no idea how to really go about putting down what I want to convey so I’ll start with a basic question and then throw in some back ground , feel free to ask as many questions as you want.
So the question is as the title: “Am I Christian?”
Some background: As a kid (Around 10-12) I went to Sunday school and was in a church choir (At a method church in case it matters) although I have no idea how that came about or why it stopped as to the best of my memory / knowledge no one in my family is religious and has never been to church apart from for funerals / weddings / Christenings (Which by the way I’m pretty sure I have been).
Fast forward the best part of 20 years: During which time I’ve never given any consideration to religion, if anyone had asked I would have said I was an Agnostic (although due to poor knowledge on the definitions I would have said Atheist at the time).
Now for whatever reason, a month ago I suddenly found myself thinking of God / Christ, I started reading the bible and saying a prayer almost every day since.
During this time I’ve asked myself daily "Do I believe in God?", "Do I believe Christ died for our sins?" Etc. And although every time when I ask myself directly like that the answer has been yes, almost without hesitation, I still find a while later I suddenly start questioning my answer “Do you really believe that? Are you sure? The answer to these always comes out as yes as well but the fact they keep coming up at all makes up uncomfortable labelling myself a Christian, as if I may be lying to myself, hence why for the moment I’ve opted for “Seeker” as my profile title.
Other thoughts on how I’ve changed recently.
Sex – I’ve always been of the mind that sex should not be a casual thing and should be reserved for someone you’re in a loving relationship with (though I would never previously have considered that only between a husband wife was necessary) but I have always been an avid user of porn / fantasy for personal sexual benefit on a daily basis. – When “this” began though my mind set completely changed, I deleted any porn I had / stopped viewing it online and stopped masturbating , though I admit I have given in to the urge a couple of times. I now even find myself averting my gaze from the TV at imes, not necessarily sex scenes, often it may only because some ones provocatively dressed, as I find myself feeling uncomfortable.
Language – Previously profanity was essentially normal language when talking with peers / colleagues (though never at home) but now I no longer feel that I need or want to use that language, though currently finding it hard to overcome 15+ years of habit entirely and they keep slipping out. Although what worries me more than direct profanity is that I keep finding myself using phrases like “For God’s sake” or “God knows” and these make me cringe the second I hear them come out of my mouth.
General – I now find that in situations that would previously have caused me to get quite stressed, that I’m remain calm a lot easier. I’m mainly thinking of situations such as being stuck in traffic or beyond a slower driver, where previously I would have cursed them out under my breath and at times driven aggressively I am now able to sit back and relax until the issue resolves itself and there examples in my work environment as well.
I could go one but feel this has already gotten too long, not to sure what I’m hoping to get as a result of this but felt compelled to put it out there and see what comes.
Firstly thanks everyone again for their input, I have been reading and trying to digest all that has been said.
I'm pretty sure I was Christened as a baby (I've read differing opinions on whether Christening & Baptism are the same thing or not). I've no idea about other countrys but here in the UK having a baby 'Christened' seems to be the done thing largely irrelvent of the parents belifes so I'm not so sure if that can be taken to mean anything.
As for the type of church, I only mentioned that in passing as I wasn't sure how relavent it was and I happened to remember (the church I went to is a 2 minute walk away). I was only between 10 & 12 when I wen't so I really don't remember to much and wouldn't really feel any more comtable at that than any other.
I have on several occasions recently, gone to some of the more isolated / scenic churches around here, and just sat on a bench in the grounds comtemplating. I think I need to dosome proper research on the differening denominations before I actually attend one.
Dave
was the criminal on the cross next to Jesus that Jesus said would see him in heaven baptized ?While the Spirit is evidently moving you, one must be formally baptised into the faith before one is truly a Christian.
Christianity is not just a faith, but a willingness to make a commitment.
was the criminal on the cross next to Jesus that Jesus said would see him in heaven baptized ?
It doesn't say.was the criminal on the cross next to Jesus that Jesus said would see him in heaven baptized ?
So the question is as the title: “Am I Christian?”
So the question is as the title: “Am I Christian?”
It doesn't say.
Either way, he wasn't Christian. Christianity was not a religion yet at that time.
Baptism was established by John the Baptist.That would mean that the disciples of Christ weren't Christian either. But being a Christian doesn't mean the subscription to an established religion. It means that their faith was in Christ. The disciples placed their faith in Him, as did the criminal on the cross.
Baptism was established by John the Baptist.
The first disciples would have considered themselves Jews. They carried on the tradition of baptism from John.
Being a Christian indeed does mean committing to Christianity. Unless you are nailed to a fence or whatever, the expectation is that a Christian is one who takes the leap and makes the committment.
Salvation is another question.
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