What does it mean to be a Christian?

mcpacker · Oct 16, 2010

I'm new here and new in my relationship with Yeshua. How am I supposed to live my life in accordance to God? I have been able to stop some sinful things I do but I like to have a beer every now and then. Is that bad? I don't expect to be perfect cause He is the only perfect one. I just want to live my life for God and I don't want to make Him angry.

I am attending a church tomorrow so I will have the opportunity to talk with other Christians. All this stuff is a little intimidating and I don't want to do or say something that would cause others to frown upon me. Thankfully my sister attends that church so I won't be alone. She told me I need to stop thinking my way through this and instead feel my way. That makes sense but by saying it makes sense shows me I am still trying to intellectualize my faith.

Can any of you help me with my emerging faith?

Johnnz · Oct 17, 2010

You have begun a journey learning to live life in a relationship with Jesus. You will learn as you go. Beware of getting bogged down by rules and regulations. Seek to discover the principles of God's kingdom and allow the life of Jesus to become your inner resource.

John
NZ

A New Dawn · Oct 19, 2010

This is probably a real bad forum to ask this question in. You might do better asking it in Deeper Fellowship or For New Christians.

WretchedMan · Oct 19, 2010

I'm happy to hear you have turned to Jesus! Welcome to the Body of Christ!

Read 1 John. John tells us that he writes the letter so that we can have confidence in eternal life in Christ, avoid false teachers, have fellowship with the Father, the Son, and all those that belong to God, avoid sinning, and have full joy.

After you read it, read the gospel of John, then the other gospels. Spend time in prayer and in the word. James tells us to draw near to God and He will draw near to us (James 4:8).

The Holy Spirit will convict you of any sin that you need to deal with. Listen to Him and you will not be misled. Don't let feelings of guilt and condemnation hamstring you. The Spirit brings conviction, the enemy brings condemnation and accusations.

Psalms 103:8-14 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.

You should read the whole Psalm, but this is the part I wanted to point out to you. Don't let anxiety build up in your heart or mind. Enjoy this time of getting to know Him. You are a child of God. He is not waiting to smash you for messing up. He is there to strengthen you and to build you up so that you can live the life He has for you.

God bless you and keep you as you grow in knowledge of Him,

Jesse

Zebra1552 · Oct 19, 2010

Welcome to the family! :hug:

I have a drink every now and again. It's fine as long as you don't get drunk. There are numerous places that speak to that.

I doubt you'll make God angry unless you try to.

Sure. Shoot me a PM or something.

dana3262 · Oct 19, 2010

I think this website is real bad for new Christians altogether to tell you the truth.
The best thing to do is read the bible and make sure you understand it and set time aside to spend contemplating Jesus and what he done for us.
Start with the first four books of the new testament.

groktruth · Oct 21, 2010

Here was what Jesus said we ought to be hoping for. (Matt 28:18 ff)

First, we recognize that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. Our hope is to be "seated with Him at the Father's right hand, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion ,and every name that is named in this age and in the age to come." Eph 1:21.

Second, we want an apostle to come and make us into a disciple. See yourself as making it onto an athletic team with a strong coach who will train you to glorious deeds. If no apostle is handy, the Holy Spirit will take over. But hope that one will come to you.

Third, study baptism until you understand the commitment it calls you to. Jesus told his disciples, in the parable of the sower, that a failure of understanding results in backsliding, the loss of the seed. That would be very bad. Prepare by asking for teaching on baptism. "The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom."

Fourth, study the phrase, "The name of..." It means, "by the rules, or commands of." Think about what that means. Look up various commands in scripture. Ask about the word, "keep." (It means remember and think about, not legalistically obey.)

Fifth, get and accept baptism in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is a commitment to live by keeping "the law and the prophets" (the name of the Father), the commandments of Christ (see the study by Bill Gothard. Read the Sermon on the mount), and the admonitions of the Holy Spirit.

Sixth, Systematically begin a study of the commands of Yeshua to His disciples, being the imperative voice statements that He made to them. All of them. (Matt 28:20.)

Seventh, "Pursue love, (i.e. keeping the commandments, 1 Jn 5:3) and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy (i.e. hear and know His voice, repeating, confessing or testifying what you hear.). 1 Corinth 14:1 He will be with you, but He requires that you walk humbly with Him, listening to Him speak to you. As His sheep, you must know, be familiar with, His voice.

So, this is what it costs, and you are required to count this up, to be sure you are ready to walk it out. Take it one step at a time, take baby steps. Drink a lot of milk, but plan on growing up. Sooner than you think, He will call on you for prayer (His house is a house of prayer), against the gates of Hell, and you will see amazing wonders accomplished in the world through those prayers, wonders that will justify all the work you have undertaken.

And you will have the precious fellowship of those few who fear Him.

Emmy · Oct 21, 2010

Dear mcpacker. To be a Christian, is a follower of Christ. And to follow Christ is to follow His Commandments. Jesus told a Lawyer in Matthew, chapter 22, verse 35-40: " The first and great Commandment is: love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. The second is like it: love your neighbour as yourself." Then Jesus points out: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Love is the most important character-trait of a Christian, and also a Christian`s weapon. Love overcomes all, and conquers all. God is Love, Jesus died out of Love for us, and we are Christ`s representatives. To be a Christian means: let our love show, and shine. I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

groktruth · Oct 21, 2010

If you should decide that keeping the commandments Yeshua gave His 12 is too much for you, then consider the preparatory commandments He reminded the lawyer. About loving God and your neighbor. These are very effective for preparing the way of the Lord. But, as He said, unless your righteousness goes beyond the rightousness of the scribes and the pharisees, you will by no way enter the kingdom of God.

The only righteous He credited to them was titheimg. To His disciples He said, "Where your treasure is there your heart will be also."

A hard deal, but worth it.

Harry3142 · Nov 2, 2010

mcpacker-

Two passages which are very useful to all Christians, be they new or veterans, are Galatians 5:16-26 (The Christians Code of Conduct) and Matthew 25:31-46 (Feed the hungry,...). If you take these to heart you'll stay on the right path.

DamianWarS · Nov 2, 2010

becoming a Christian is recognizing your need for Christ and allowing him to work through you. It is not about doing or not doing a list of rules. I'm not saying there is no place for living by a set of standards but do not get frustrated by how others may seem to judge you especially at this early stage. We all are sinful and neither you nor me, nor anyone else has less of a need for Christ. Accepting that need and receiving Christ is what saves us and the "works" are outward expression of that salvation.

So what then is the measure of sin? Not all issues are laid out so clearly in the Bible but we can use the bible to get a foundation of God's desire for us combined with prayer, worship and enjoying fellowship with other believers. This will help you grow in your faith and mature to points where you recognize areas in your life that you need to work on. The bible forbids getting drunk but not drinking in fact it more encourages it but in your context it may be better for you to discontinue it all together. Some of these issues are not "sinful" but because of how they work against the grain of your environment can in fact work against the work of God in your own life and people you interact with and that part is sinful.

Upon conversion we are given a powerful gift of the Holy Spirit which will enable us to do what God wants. So before you read the bible, before you go to church, before you do something that you question, or participate in your routine of the day-to-day pray that the Holy Spirit will be with you and help you along the way; this is the purpose of the Holy Spirit and he will not let you down.

ebia · Nov 2, 2010

This is something much modern Christianity has lost the plot on how to express.

The Christian life is about learning to live now as though the Kingdom of God had already fully come. To build up the virtues (strengths of character) appropriate for living in God's new world because in Jesus' life, death and resurrection, and in the life of his people, that new world is anticipated.

If you can, read Tom Wright's Virtue Reborn (or, as it is badged in N.America, After You Believe).

mcpacker · Nov 19, 2010

Thank you everyone for the replies. I have grown since asking this question.

My love for Yeshua is huge. I have been praying and asking for guidance and what I have experienced is incredible. I feel the love God has for me and it is wonderful. I want to tell everyone about Him.

I really understand that this is a relationship now. I want to share everything about my life with Yeshua and I feel Him with me all the time. My budget is pretty tight and I used to stress out about so many little things. That stress was horrible but 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.

I got to where I am by praying a few times a day and also reading the Bible daily and reflecting on it. When I don't understand something I pray over it? All I desire is to worship the glory of God in Jesus Christ.

Thank you everyone!

OzSpen · Nov 20, 2010

mcpacker,

Welcome to the Forum. I am so pleased that you have joined us.

There's a fundamental error coming from your sister in saying that you "need to stop thinking my way through this". It is an error because a core belief of biblical Christianity is to renew your mind. This is how Romans 12:1-2 puts it:

Growing up in the Christian life includes not being conformed to this world's thinking and doing. Instead, Philippians 4:8 tells us that this is our responsibility as Christians:

This is a fundamental of living: As you think, you feel and you will act. So to feel Christianity must start with correct thinking about God and the world. How do you gain a correct view of what God considers important? Read, study and mediate on the Scriptures!

Do you have a daily Bible reading plan so that you are reading some of the Old Testament and some of the New Testament daily?

Are you attending a church that preaches through the Bible? Or is your church a feel-good approach that places thinking Christianity on the back burner?

I hope that you are reading a good modern translation of the Bible such as The New International Version, the English Standard Version or The New Living Translation. For new Christians I recommend The New Living Translation as it is such an easy translation to read and is accurate to the meaning of the text (using a dynamic equivalence translation). The biggest seller is The New International Version. Bible Gateway has all of these translations in a drop-down menu.

Sincerely in Christ,
Spencer

cubinity · Nov 22, 2010

Congrats on your awesome, life-changing decision to follow Jesus Christ! I wish you the best in that.

I would like to take a moment, however, and answer the question that titles your OP. What does it mean to be a Christian?

Well, I see that you are in America, and the Christian churches in America are corporations. They are non-profit businesses, and as such they have to abide by various legal requirements to continue to be recognized as businesses in this country.

One of those requirements is that every company must have some communicable reason for its existence, and must maintain policies that guide the behaviors of that company's representatives. Church membership makes you an official representative of that company, so the corporate policies must therefore apply to you.

You are going to encounter in even the healthiest American church an insistence on their Statement of Faith and convictions about the Bible that might radically differ from other churches. Of course, your senior management (pastors) will insist that this church is right in all of these differences, and those other churches have got it wrong.

Don't think that this means that your church is being self-righteous or condemning of those other communities, or of you if you ever disagree with them. They are simply doing what the law requires them to do as a legal corporation: they are defending their particular policies so they can remain a tax-exempt company.

Just as a heads-up.

I know the ideal is that the church is Biblical and spiritual and all that. The reality, however, is that Christianity in America isn't just the ideal, it is also a business. Churches are not only God's houses of prayer, but they are also legal corporations that behave just like every other corporation: Follow policy and you'll do just fine.

Of course, I make a distinction between being a Christ-follower and being an American Christian. I hope you always remember this distinction and cling to your identity in Christ, not necessarily your identity as a Christian (I hope this makes sense).

mcpacker · Nov 22, 2010

Ozspen I have started to see the world for what it is. It makes sense about what is said about renewing the mind. God gave us a mind for a reason and He wants us to use it once it has been cleansed by the Holy Spirit.

I don't have a specific plan for daily reading of the Bible. I just open it to a page in the OT and one in the NT and read. I have a NIV study Bible.

The church I attend is called Substance. It is a charismatic church. You can look it up and let me know what you think of it if you would like.

cubinity that makes perfect sense. I am a follower and believer of our Lord Yeshua and that is it. In a way I see Christianity merely as a label and that label has been used for many things but I still call myself a Christian.

OzSpen · Nov 23, 2010

MC,

Thanks so much for your response.

I'd recommend that you use a more systematic reading of the Scripture. Opening it up at a page in the OT and the NT does not give you an understanding of context. For example, it is beneficial to read, say, all the way through the book of Deuteronomy to gain the flow of the author's "God-breathed" message. Context is always important when interpreting Scripture. I urge you to read the Scriptures systematically.

Your NIV Study Bible should be good for that if you take note of the footnotes. I have an NIV study Bible. The NIV is an excellent translation as long as you understand that it is not a word-by-word translation (which is impossible to do anyway from the original languages). It's dynamic equivalence translation is a recognised way of translating any language.

What is the exact name and location of your church? You said that it is called, "Substance", but I don't know the city so that I can search for it.

I'm a biblically convinced charismatic as well, as long as all manifestations are according to the biblical requirements: "Let all things be done for building up" (I Cor 14:26 ESV) and "let the others weigh what is said" (14:29) and "God is not a God of confusion but of peace" (v. 33).

In Christ, Spencer

elopez · Nov 23, 2010

It's hard, but it's not impossible. It's hard because we cannot completely let go of our sinful desires, but not impossible because God does not expect impossible things from us. That said, we will inevitably fall into sin, and even though I do not think that drinking beer occasionally is sinful it could lead to the sinful. This is why I believe God's aid is necessary, because as you said "I have been able to stop some sinful things" which implies you have not been able to stop all,which really means that man is not capable of overcoming his sinful tendencies on his own terms.

Just remember God is very slow to anger, and is just as willing to forgive.

mcpacker · Nov 23, 2010

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!

derDenker1992 · Nov 23, 2010

Dear mcpacker,

Praise the Lord that you are now in His family? I am happy to be a brother in Christ. There is no need for you to be intimidated. I'm sure that God and the angels are very pleased for you to now share the Holy Spirit. To be a Christian is a journey. Everyday God will bring you through life so that you can share the Word of God with others and also become more like Christ. To be a Christian is to give your life literally to God so that he can use you for His will. There is nothing wrong with intellectualizing your faith, but at first stick to feeling your way through like your sister said. It is about how God touches your heart and soul at first. Just try and grow in Christ and listen to what God wants you to do. Don't be afraid, but be happy for now you have eternal life. God bless.

P.S. Devotionals are a good idea.

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