What does it mean to be a Christian?

[OzSpen]

MC,

You can look up "Substance church" and you should find it. It is located in the Twin Cities, MN. They provide worship in three locations. Two on Sunday and one on Saturday. I go to the Saturday service because it is more intimate. You can watch their sermons on their website if you would like.

I will start with your suggestion for my daily Bible reading!

Thanks for your response and I'm pleased that you have decided to begin reading through the Bible on an organised basis.

I have found Substance Church and it looks like a pretty groovy, contemporary church for the young at heart. What a vision your pastors have. i read the history of the foundation of your church.

In Christ, Spencer

 

[heron]

A few months later, it's good to see you're still posting here on CF, and active in sorting out spiritual things.

I am still trying to intellectualize my faith.

She has a point, but the Bible doesn't say we shouldn't intellectualize faith. Each person in a family has a different personality type, and you are probably more pragmatic or rational.

God knows that you will related to Him in a different way that your sister, and than each member in the family of God. We need each others' strengths, so don't throw away your natural tendencies.

If something bothers you, then it bothers you. God does not show Himself afraid of our doubts and questions.

since handing my life over to God I know He will take care of me. I'm calm and relaxed and God always provides what I need.

Isn't it amazing how He works?! Whenever I get too self-sufficient, He brings me back to where you are, realizing that leaning on Him is the plan that works. (Going through that now, as a matter of fact.)

We live in a world where striving is admired and leaning appears to be mooching or shiftiness; so it's hard to grasp letting go of appearing reputable for spiritual achievements.

 

[groktruth]

I encourage all to be aware of the times we are in, and the dangers we face.

First, in His parable of the sower, Yeshua warned that the seed can first prosper, then be lost. Such backsliding results from

A. a lack of understanding. Renew your minds!

B. a lack of a root, meaning a lack of a good relationship with your "mentor" or "tutor," the law.

c. Bad company, cares of the world, deceitfulness of riches. Work to lessen your involvement in the world economically, expand spiritually, in ministry.

Second, these are the times of delusion. The restrainers of evil are being removed, and God Himself is sending a spirit of delusion. These are true statements that are easily misinterpreted. The best example I know of of delusion is Yeshua standing before Herod's temple, and saying that He would destroy "this" temple and rebuild it in three days. He was talking about His body, but many used the remark as an excuse to crucify Him.

Our protection from delusion comes from "receiving the love of the truth." This means buying the truth, spending time and paying attention. The key step is to hope and pray for, and commit to a personal mentor, with whom you study and learn the rules God has given us for knowing what is true. (Rightly divide words, "if any man thinks that he knows..." etc.) The fear of the lord is instruction, discipleship, in wisdom. Read Proverbs 1, and start working out your salvation with fear and trembling. Others will tell you, "peace, peace" "God loves you." etc. But they are afraid to tell you about the severity of God.

But He paid a high price to save you, and if your response is luke-warm, nauseating His Son, He will deal with you severely.

We normally wait to tell new believers this, but times are short.

 

[Emmy]

Dear Harry3142. The two passages which you have shown us as very important to Christians, whether of long-standing or new, are without fault. May I point out however, with humility and love, " the two Commandments which Jesus gave us," 1) love God with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds, plus 2) love our neighbour as ourselves, they are straightforward and easy to remember. Feed the hungry is short and to the point, yet it is covered the same as all the other " sins " if we remember what Jesus told us in His Commandments " Love God with all our beings, and love all others, (whether friends or no friends) as we love ourselves. God can see our sincere/insincere efforts, and we will be blessed, OR reap fitting consequences. Jesus will give us His Love and Joy to share with each other, and the Holy Spirit will empower us with His Love. Jesus told us: " ask and ye will receive," He also told us to pray: " Our Father in Heaven, forgive us our sins as we will forgive those who sin against us." The Commandments to love are short and easy enough to understand. Whenever we are confronted with life`s temptations, let us ask ourselves: " Is it love that guides me, in word or deed?" It will not be easy to start, but we have much time to get better and better, and when we stumble or fail, ask God`s Forgiveness, again and again. Then get up and ask the Lord`s help in prayer. Christians are not perfect, but we show God and the world that we are God`s loving children, growing into sons and daughters, worthy to be God`s Own. I say this with love Harry, and send greetings. Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[groktruth]

Dear Harry3142. ... May I point out however, with humility and love, " the two Commandments which Jesus gave us," 1) love God with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds, plus 2) love our neighbour as ourselves, they are straightforward and easy to remember. ...

Well, if you have chosen to love the truth, and resolved to worship the Lord in ...truth, you will welcome this reminder: these two commandments were given by Jesus to unsaved Pharisees. He commanded "us,' His disciples, to repent, follow Him, rejoice in persecution, let our light shine, and about 140 other imperative voice commands listed in scripture. The two stated above are good tutors, to lead us to Jesus, showing us our unrighteousness. And it is good to remember them that way. But we need to learn "all things whatsoever (Jesus) commanded" His original 12. That is our "Great Commission."

If you think this makes no difference, that is because you are not remembering, or have never learned, His command to repent. That's the place to start. Repent of what? Of not learning to repent. Not learning the good study habits that enable one to learn the other 143 commandments. Grace saves whoever has accepted this call, and is working it out with fear and trembling. Using God's mercy as an excuse for cutting class is a sin unto death.

 

[Philosopher61]

By simple definition being a Christian means that you follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. That is all you must do to be a Christian.

 

[groktruth]

By simple definition being a Christian means that you follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. That is all you must do to be a Christian.

Do you distinguish christian, and Christian; being christian vs being a Christian?

 

[Johnnz]

Do you distinguish christian, and Christian; being christian vs being a Christian?

You represent one segment of Christendom, not THE ONLY RIGHT ONE. I don't see your somewhat self assured (mis)understanding of the Scriptures as being that helpful for a young Christian.

John
NZ

 

[groktruth]

You represent one segment of Christendom, not THE ONLY RIGHT ONE. I don't see your somewhat self assured (mis)understanding of the Scriptures as being that helpful for a young Christian.

John
NZ

I definitely have not succeeded in communicating that I am dead, yet I live, yet not I but christ lives in me. Being dead, assuring myself is not possible. So, I listen to God Himself, and report what He says. I say what I hear Him saying. I heard Him saying that philosopher 61 was in fact hoping to be edified through encouragement in philosophical approaches to loving truth. Did you hear something different? He (God) regularly reminds me that I only hear in part, and that I ought to submit to other prophets.

Philosophy and scripture agree that rightly dividing, or defining, words of truth are very good foundations for getting at the truth. He tells me that the "idle" words that Jesus warns us about refers to words used where one has been "idle" in getting clear on the meaning.

I certainly do misunderstand most scripture! I just understand enough to get into the presence of God Himself, hear and learn His voice. The rest is a mystery we discuss. But, life comes from every word that He speaks, not from what I read. So, I'm OK!

Thanks for caring!

 

[Walter Kovacs]

I'll give the best description ever written on what it means to be a Christian.

The Epistle to Diogentus:

"For Christians cannot be distinguished from the rest of the human race by country or language or customs. They do not live in cities of their own; they do not use a peculiar form of speech; they do not follow an eccentric manner of life.

This doctrine of theirs has not been discovered by the ingenuity or deep thought of inquisitive men, nor do they put forward a merely human teaching, as some people do.

Yet, although they live in Greek and barbarian cities alike, as each man's lot has been cast, and follow the customs of the country in clothing and food and other matters of daily living, at the same time they give proof of the remarkable and admittedly extraordinary constitution of their own commonwealth.

They live in their own countries, but only as aliens. They have a share in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign land is their fatherland, and yet for them ever fatherland is a foreign land. They marry, like everyone else, and they beget children, but they do not cast out their offspring. They share their board with each other, but not their marriage bed.

It is true that they are "in the flesh," but they do not live "according to the flesh." They busy themselves on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws, but in their own lives go far beyond what the law requires. They love all men, and by all men are persecuted. They are unknown, and still they are condemned; they are put to death, and yet they are brought to life. They are poor, and yet make many rich; they are completely destitute, and yet they enjoy complete abundance. They are dishonored, and in their very dishonor they are glorified; they are defamed, and are vindicated. They are reviled and yet they bless; when they are affronted, they still pay due respect. When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; undergoing punishment, they rejoice because they are brought to life. They are treated by the Jews as foreigners and enemies, and are hunted down by the Greeks; and all the time those who hate them find it impossible to justify their enmity."

 

[groktruth]

I'll give the best description ever written on what it means to be a Christian.

The Epistle to Diogentus:

"For Christians cannot be distinguished from the rest of the human race by country or language or customs. They do not live in cities of their own; they do not use a peculiar form of speech; they do not follow an eccentric manner of life.

This doctrine of theirs has not been discovered by the ingenuity or deep thought of inquisitive men, nor do they put forward a merely human teaching, as some people do.

Yet, although they live in Greek and barbarian cities alike, as each man's lot has been cast, and follow the customs of the country in clothing and food and other matters of daily living, at the same time they give proof of the remarkable and admittedly extraordinary constitution of their own commonwealth.

They live in their own countries, but only as aliens. They have a share in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign land is their fatherland, and yet for them ever fatherland is a foreign land. They marry, like everyone else, and they beget children, but they do not cast out their offspring. They share their board with each other, but not their marriage bed.

It is true that they are "in the flesh," but they do not live "according to the flesh." They busy themselves on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws, but in their own lives go far beyond what the law requires. They love all men, and by all men are persecuted. They are unknown, and still they are condemned; they are put to death, and yet they are brought to life. They are poor, and yet make many rich; they are completely destitute, and yet they enjoy complete abundance. They are dishonored, and in their very dishonor they are glorified; they are defamed, and are vindicated. They are reviled and yet they bless; when they are affronted, they still pay due respect. When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; undergoing punishment, they rejoice because they are brought to life. They are treated by the Jews as foreigners and enemies, and are hunted down by the Greeks; and all the time those who hate them find it impossible to justify their enmity."

Know anywhere this is true today?

 

[Walter Kovacs]

I'd imagine all over the world, especially in countries like China where Christianity is undergoing a revival in conditions much like those described above. Though in a more general sense, everyone who takes up his cross and follows Jesus is also one of those described.

 

[groktruth]

I'd imagine all over the world, especially in countries like China where Christianity is undergoing a revival in conditions much like those described above. Though in a more general sense, everyone who takes up his cross and follows Jesus is also one of those described.

Maybe that's why China is now our creditor.

 

[HisHomeMaker]

mcpacker,

I am also new in a relationship with Jesus, although a life-long "Christian". I am enjoying reading the Bible, one OT and one NT reading daily as presented on Biblegateway.com . You may join me if you like; I am posting my thoughts in threads here on CF and it gets lonely talking to myself when no one else joins in
http://www.christianforums.com/f235/

A couple of other thing have really helped me in my journey. First, I joined a small group at my church to discuss the previous Sunday's readings and sermon; I quite enjoy both the fellowship and the mentorship of wiser Christians. I am also reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. His ideas about what a Christian is and isn't gives me much to think and pray about.