- Feb 5, 2002
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QUESTION:
How do you account for the fact that in some places (like Lebanon and Northern Ireland) people who claim to be Christians are constantly fighting and killing?
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ANSWER:
There have been far too many instances in history when people and groups who claimed to be Christian have acted in ways that were not in accordance with the teachings of Jesus.
The real problem is that the word "Christian" has lost much of its original meaning. Today it often does not refer to a true follower of Jesus Christ, but simply to someone (or to some movement or group) that only claims to be Christian or has a vague Christian heritage. We should remember the sober warning of Jesus: "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit....Not everyone that says to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:18-21).
What is a Christian? The first occurrence of the word "Christian" in the Bible is in Acts 11:26, which says "the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch." The word meant "one who follows Christ," and you will note that the Bible applies the term to those who were disciples, or active followers, of Christ. Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples" (John 8:31). In other words, a Christian is one who has committed himself to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and is actively seeking to follow Him and His teachings in everyday life.
Do not be distracted by people who may claim to be Christians but are not following Christ as they should. Instead, make it your goal to follow Christ yourself, and look to Him every day. He is worthy of your trust and our faith
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How do you account for the fact that in some places (like Lebanon and Northern Ireland) people who claim to be Christians are constantly fighting and killing?
*********************************************************************************************
ANSWER:
There have been far too many instances in history when people and groups who claimed to be Christian have acted in ways that were not in accordance with the teachings of Jesus.
The real problem is that the word "Christian" has lost much of its original meaning. Today it often does not refer to a true follower of Jesus Christ, but simply to someone (or to some movement or group) that only claims to be Christian or has a vague Christian heritage. We should remember the sober warning of Jesus: "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit....Not everyone that says to me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:18-21).
What is a Christian? The first occurrence of the word "Christian" in the Bible is in Acts 11:26, which says "the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch." The word meant "one who follows Christ," and you will note that the Bible applies the term to those who were disciples, or active followers, of Christ. Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples" (John 8:31). In other words, a Christian is one who has committed himself to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and is actively seeking to follow Him and His teachings in everyday life.
Do not be distracted by people who may claim to be Christians but are not following Christ as they should. Instead, make it your goal to follow Christ yourself, and look to Him every day. He is worthy of your trust and our faith
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