What defines "Christian"?

[IvoryRain]

What exactly is a Christian?

I've been told I'm one all my life, but Ive never really been a member of a church - or at least not since I was a small child.

I know what I believe in my heart but I don't know much of the ins and outs of it all.

I don't know about God's forgiveness. Can he forgive someone that has been BAD and cannot forgive themselves?

If you pray and mean it but still mess up sometimes or in the beginning of trying to be a better person does that mean your prayers weren't true?

 

[SmileAndAHandshake]

[old, deleted]

 

[spikenard]

A Christian is someone who is Christ-like. Though no such person exists, we are daily striving to become more like the son of God. Some people believe in God but not in Jesus Christ. These are not Christians. To be a Christian, you must have Christ. Without him you are just an "ian"

 

[SmileAndAHandshake]

[old, deleted]

 

[cyberwing]

Dearest IvoryRain,
My precious sister, being a Christian is to disciple yourself to Jesus. This does not require a church but a church does help IF they are a Bible believing fellowship.
Many people have found Jesus without the confines of a nice brick building and stain glass windows, etc. Jesus comes to you when you call to Him. Draw nigh unto Him and He will draw nigh unto YOU! So many people think Christianity is a church building or a denomination. Nope, wrong answer. It is being a follower of Jesus. Submitting yourself to Him and letting His Word guide you.
Bless Erwin Loh because he has given us the opportunity to fellowship regardless of denomination and nationality. People who love Jesus are able to come together. CF is people of all denominations learning to love one another, accept one anothers different views hopefully without getting upset or pushy...well we need to work on that area but we are trying!
As was stated Christianity is striving to be Christ-like! Loving mankind as HE did. Reaching out to them with love and patience. Some will reject you but you learn it is not you it is Jesus in you they are rejecting. Soon this rejection will make you weep but more out of pity than hurt.
The walk or living your life day by day trying to do things Jesus' way is not always easy but it is just what Jesus promised, it is life more abundantly!
Look at my avatar Ivory Rain, I've made doozy mistakes in my life! Jesus is the Good Shepherd that loves us and if He has to He will break our legs to save our lives! He had to do it with me, I was one of the worst rebellious lambs!!! HE is no respecter of persons, He forgave me, He will forgive you!
If you want to chat more, send me a PM (Private Message) I'll be glad to help another Missouri gal!!! {{{BIG CYBER-HUG}}}
~DJ

 

[IvoryRain]

All of you are very kind!

There are many things in life that confuse me, or that I don't understand, but what I do know is God is here for us and Jesus was his son...

I should get offline now, but I'll be back again.

Thank you for you so kind words!

 

[Rising_Suns]

this is the official layout of Christianity:

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.