What do you think when someone says, "I used to be a Christian"?

[eepy]

[size=+4]I found the the following on another site (www.jesus-is-lord.com/iused2b.htm) and was wondering what your opinions/beliefs are on the subject. Do you agree or disagree? [/size]​

[size=+4]"I used to be a Christian."[/size]


No you didn't used to be a Christian. You simply deceived yourself for a while and now you finally see that you aren't one.

People write me and say, "Yeah, I used be a Christian. I even taught Sunday School but I woke up." Well, sitting in a garage doesn't make you a car and sitting in church doesn't make you a Christian. Knowing a couple of Bible stories doesn't make you a Christian either. Even Satan can quote you some scripture. . . .

For a man to reject this world is totally unnatural. It is supernatural. I used to love and crave this sick place and the crummy things it offered--crummy tv, crummy movies, crummy relationships, crummy philosophies, crummy thoughts, crummy aspirations, and crummy problems. I was deceived and accepted it all--like a dog eating vomit. ... But, bless God, in 1991, something happened. The Father drew me to the Lovely One, Jesus Christ. I didn't want this world anymore. I wanted Jesus and I wanted to please Him.
. . .

"I used to be a Christian." Mmph. Most people who say this used to be deceiving themselves and now their true colors have finally come out. What they need to do is repent of a truth and believethe gospel of Jesus Christ confessing His name and doctrine and bowing down before Him in service.



​

I ask this because I used to be a Christian. There was always doubt, though, from my baptism to the realization that I could not believe in Jesus. Maybe I never really was saved.
I rejected the world in that I listened to Christian music, avoided immoral TV/movies/internet/books, etc. It's impossible, however, to avoid worldly things entirely (unless, of course, you take very extreme measures). There's plenty of sex, murder, etc in the Bible itself. Fighting off the "world," though, and seeing it as evil did not make me a happy person. It made me bitter and grumpy (a "sullen teenager" ). Thus, when I started to really think for myself and examine the "truths" that I'd accepted for so long, and they didn't hold up, it wasn't too difficult for me to discard them. I can no longer believe in the divinity of the man called Jesus, and I have doubts that he was even a real person.

I did pray the "sinner's prayer," though, I was baptized, and I rededicated to my life to the Lord several times. And I thought there was a verse in the Bible that says, basically, "once saved, always saved," but maybe that's a misinterpretation I heard somewhere.

So basically, what I'm asking is...

1. If a person is truely saved, is it possible for him to lose his salvation?

2. If a person says, "I used to be a Christian," is she lying? Is it possible that she ever really was a Christian?

I would just like to know what Christians are really thinking when I say, "I used to be a Christian."

Thank you!

 

[strikerchris0411]

1. If a person is truely saved, is it possible for him to lose his salvation?

Sure it is, if a person has a very traumatic event in their life they can start to blame god.

2. If a person says, "I used to be a Christian," is she lying? Is it possible that she ever really was a Christian?

They may be lying. That doesn't nesscacarily [know its mispelled, sorry] mean that they were never a christian

I would just like to know what Christians are really thinking when I say, "I used to be a Christian."

You can't

 

[Mailman Dan]

Because I used to be a false convert, I have a good understanding.

One way we falsely label people who slide in and out of faith is by calling them a back slider. In reality, they probably never slide foward in the first place. I went though the religious actions, but without understanding, I was never right with God, and never went foward.

Here's a good audio on the subject and what Jesus said on the issue.

http://www.livingwaters.com/learn/trueandfalse.htm


Hopes it helps...

Dan~~~>lucky that someone spoke the truth to him

 

[California Tim]

So basically, what I'm asking is...

1. If a person is truely saved, is it possible for him to lose his salvation?

2. If a person says, "I used to be a Christian," is she lying? Is it possible that she ever really was a Christian?

I would just like to know what Christians are really thinking when I say, "I used to be a Christian."

Thank you!

IF salvation was a result of something a person could do to earn it, then it could be reasonably concluded that the person could also do something (or not do something required) to "lose it". On the other hand, if salvation was a result of grace and the act of God's will on the individual, then we may rest assured that the gift is permanent. In otherwords no "gift" is truly a gift which must be "earned or returned".

Consider what we read in the New Testament that many who think they are saved are in fact unsaved. Here's the reference:

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven,
but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that
day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in
Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare
to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' (Matt 7:21-23)​

For this reason I feel many who claim to have been "former Christians" have, in fact, never realized true salvation in the first place. And in those rare cases where they have .... I believe in due time they will, like the prodigal son, return to their true love for Christ.

 

[LiberatedChick]

1. If a person is truely saved, is it possible for him to lose his salvation?

Yes, I believe so. I believe it is possible for people to fall away from God and turn there backs on Him. I did it myself. I very much believed but fell away and got involved in paganism. I don't believe I was saved during that time...I'd rejected Gods gift of salvation, I'd accepted it for a while before changing my mind and throwing it back in His face. What I do believe is that He didn't give up on me. During the time I was far from Him I felt Him constantly calling me back. I ignored Him as best as I could for as long as I could. Eventually, I realised I couldn't do that any longer and I finally came back to Him.

2. If a person says, "I used to be a Christian," is she lying? Is it possible that she ever really was a Christian?

Yes, it's possible. They may have really believed by got caught up in the world or had something bad happen to them that resulted in them falling away. As I said I myself fell away from God. I got caught up in sin, in the world and couldn't resist the devils attacks on my faith...I really did believe before that time but even so I fell away from God. Though, that said it may be the case that they never really believed and they just thought they did...it may be that they went to church and acted the part without ever really believing. It depends on the person and their situation.

 

[Sploge]

i believe that as soon as some body becomes a christian it is by Gods will it is done not us.. there for i thinik we are saved untill such time as we comit the Ultimate Sin which is sin against the holyspirit...

untill this is doen we will always be a christian. we can choose to say. oh yeah i used to be a chirtsina but you still are as far as i am concerned untill you do the ultimate sin. just my thought's...

 

[Mestemia]

1. If a person is truely saved, is it possible for him to lose his salvation?

Yes it is possible to lose ones salvation. Revelations 22:19

2. If a person says, "I used to be a Christian," is she lying? Is it possible that she ever really was a Christian?

I have found that many Christians really like the "No True Scotsman" fallacy.
That and Pascals Wager.

 

[strikerchris0411]

Why do you ask, i mean a lot of people are hypocrites, but I am sure not all of them are.

 

[FireOfGod]

They mean, "I used to walk like Jesus and follow Him, now I do not". Simple as that.

 

[Dust and Ashes]

1. If a person is truely saved, is it possible for him to lose his salvation?

No. The question is when is one truely saved. If you are drowning in the ocean and a passing ship throws you a life preserver are you truely saved when you grab the preserver? Can you still let go or fall off? Are you truely saved when you get on the ship? Can you fall/jump off of a ship? You are truely saved when you get to the shore. This is of course using the ocean as a symbol for sin and worldliness, the ship for the Church and the shore as Heaven.

Please keep in mind this analogy is by no means exhaustive and isn't intended to be. The Orthodox view of sin, death and salvation is quite different from what has been taught in the West since Anselm established the juridicial model as preeminent in the 11th century.

If you want to read something truely beautiful, I'd recommend For the Life of the World by Alexander Schmemann. It is pretty short, though very deep and might help you with some of the issues you have with Christianity.

2. If a person says, "I used to be a Christian," is she lying? Is it possible that she ever really was a Christian?

That is a tough one and semantics really do come into play. If you define a Christian as someone who believed in Jesus Christ and followed His teachings then sure, such a person could fall away from the faith and not be a Christian anymore. If you define a Christian as someone who has died to self and been joined with Christ mystically on a level that transcends physical reality then I don't think such a person could fall away sufficiently to no longer believe, though they may fall away from such a close relationship with Him.

I would just like to know what Christians are really thinking when I say, "I used to be a Christian."

Thank you!

Well, I'm not much of a Christian but I think, "Lord have mercy on her and save her. Draw her back to you and grant her a peace that will fill her soul, calm her fears and give her joy that will last for eternity."

If you mean what it makes me think about you, then I would have you know that regardless of what you used to be or what you are now, I love you as one made in the image of God and I pray for your salvation as I pray for the salvation of everyone. Who am I to stand in judgement of you or anyone else when I can see the sin that riddles my own life? All I can do is offer my feeble prayers up to God and love you as I love myself because you are my neighbor. Peace to you.

Forgive me.

 

[£amb]

1. If a person is truely saved, is it possible for him to lose his salvation?

I believe a person can be saved and then fall away from God. I see it alot of times. I couldn't say they were'nt "real" christians because I do not know their heart like God does. A person who believes in Jesus/God is one of His children. The question would have to be will God bring him back or allow him to live in his worldly ways. There are many verses that support and don't support this situation. But it's a matter that should be left to God.

2. If a person says, "I used to be a Christian," is she lying? Is it possible that she ever really was a Christian?

As I said before, I think someone can be saved and call themselves christians, but fall away from God. Maybe this person is lying to themselves. I don't know all the reasons why people fall away. I've heard over and over that many fall away because they couldn't understand all the things or find truth to the Word of God. Maybe they couldn't understand something, but they started to look into the worldly veiw of understanding it. I had a friend who did this. Instead of seeking godly advice, she started searching the websites for answers. Believe me, that was the worst thing she could of done. She then started believing what everything else told her to believe. Was my friend a christian...yes. But she put herself back into the worldly way of believing and living and has pulled herself away from God.

would just like to know what Christians are really thinking when I say, "I used to be a Christian."

I get mixed emotions when I hear this. Was this person a real christian or just lying to themselves or anybody else. We don't know. How can we know what kind of life this person lived. Did they read the Word of God everyday, did they pray to God everyday for wisdom and knowledge? Or did they attend church on Sundays and then go home and live like they never knew God until the next Sunday. For me to say this person is a believer or not would not be wise. I do not have the wisdom that God has to determine who truly believes Him and live their life evident of this belief.

 

[sinner/SAVED]

I used to be a Christian.

Then I wasn't for about 15 years.

Now I am much more a Christian than I (or anyone who knew me) would have ever thought possible.

 

[Roark]

Even Satan can quote you some scripture.

Satan is a Christian, you know

 

[sinner/SAVED]

Satan is a Christian, you know

nuh-uh

 

[FireOfGod]

Satan is a Christian, you know

Haha... Satan isn't much of a "little Christ" if you ask me.

I'm sure Satan does know all the Bible... Heck, people think they're special if they go to church a bunch, the devil goes to church too! Just as much or more as you do!

 

[BondGirl]

My signature line from Ghandi says it best....

We (CHRISTians) gotta get right folks. Some people chose not to be CHRISTians anymore based on how they were treated (by some so-called CHRISTians.....)

Blessings to all....

 

[FireOfGod]

Ooo I like that quote.

 

[12volt_man]

I can no longer believe in the divinity of the man called Jesus, and I have doubts that he was even a real person.

Assuming Jesus does exist, why do you doubt His deity?

1. If a person is truely saved, is it possible for him to lose his salvation?

No. It is not possible for seven reasons:

1. Nothing can separate you from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus your Lord.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
Neither death nor anything that happens after death, or anything that happens while you're living can separate you from God's love. If there were no other verse in the Bible that deals with eternal security, this one covers the base.


2. When you are saved, you are made perfect forever.

For by one offering He [Jesus] hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)
When Jesus died on the cross, He saved you forever. Jesus offered one sacrifice for sin forever. If you ever lost your salvation, in order for you to be saved again, Jesus would have to die again. By one offering He has perfected forever those who were sanctified.


3. Our Lord always finishes what He begins.

Being confident of this very thing, that He [God] which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)
Let me tell you what the Holy Spirit of God does for your salvation. First, He convicted you of sin. Second, He converted you. And the Convictor and the Converter is also the Completer. If God fails to finish what He's begun God has failed and He cannot fail.


4. You are predestined to be like Jesus.

For whom He [God] did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29)
God saw you before this world was put in space. He saw you repent of your sin and ask Jesus to save you. And when God saw that, not only did He foreknow it, but also He predestinated it. If it is settled in eternity how can it be undone in time?


5. You are in Christ.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
You are in Christ just like Noah was in the ark. The ark was a picture of Jesus and when Noah went into that ark God shut the door. Noah may have fallen down a lot of times in that ark, but he never fell out of it. Your security is not in a place, it is in a Person and His name is Jesus. And if you're in Jesus, you're secure and if you're not in Jesus you're not secure.


6. You already have eternal life.

Heareth My word, and believeth on him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)
Everlasting life is not something you get when you die. Everlasting life is something you get when you receive Jesus. If I have everlasting life, when can it end? Suppose I had it 10 years and it ended. Did I have everlasting life? No, I had a 10-year life. Whatever you have, if you ever lose it, whatever it was it wasn't everlasting.


7. The Lord Jesus Christ is ever interceding for you.

I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given Me; for they are Thine. (John 17:9)
Jesus also prayed: "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil...Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word" (John 17:15, 20). Say your name in that verse because Jesus prayed for you! Has Jesus ever prayed a prayer that wasn't answered? No, not one (see John 11:42 and Hebrews 7:25).

2. If a person says, "I used to be a Christian," is she lying? Is it possible that she ever really was a Christian?

There is no such thing as a "used to be" Christian.

If you're a Christian, then you're a Christian. If you're not, then you're not.

You might be backslidden, but even backslidden people are under God's care.

I would just like to know what Christians are really thinking when I say, "I used to be a Christian."

I don't know you and I don't know your heart so I can't say. All I can say is that I'd like to pray for you that, if you do know Christ as your Lord, that you would be restored to a right relationship with Him and, if not, that you would trust Him as your Lord.

I think, either way, there has to come a time for each of us when we are so shocked at our own sin, that we humble ourselves before God, before our sin humbles us before men.

It sounds like you're in a good place. The first step to getting right with God is asking questions like you are.

If you'd like to talk about it, please feel free to PM me.

 

[BondGirl]

You know? I mean it is the epitome. We should be more "like him" and less...well...like us....

Ooo I like that quote.

 

[GreenPartyVoter]

I can't answer for everyone who ever said that, but for at least a few of the people I know it was a case of having enough of the legalism and sometimes downright spiritual abuse. In my own case, I have found that I didn't need to go that far but instead of throwing the baby out with the bathwater became more liberal in my understanding of theology.