Define A Christian

[Magenta]

My brother, false faith isn't faith. When I say faith, I mean exactly that -- faith.

I, Utah, hereby proclaim, "Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior."
If that doesn't make me Christian then I don't know what does.

You have left off the part of believing in your heart. Saying the words is confessing with your mouth, perhaps a mental assent only for some, though I believe you mean it when you say it. One must believe in their heart also, in their innermost self, and that translates to more than merely mouthing words, which is what I believe ForthAngel was getting at.

Romans 10:9-11 (LEB)

9 that if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord”and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

It has nothing to do with legalism. Grace777 brings that garbage to almost every
conversation. (I am using his language to show how detestable it is to see it all the
time, especially when it is not even applicable, which it rarely is, any ways.)

 

[Ultimatum77]

Modern Day Christian - a term invented for believers of Christ and first used in Antioch, widely used as a term to describe one's morals or life system beliefs....not really those who follow God....but just some of His rules....

Example: unbeliever to "so-called believer" o you believe you're a good person and going to Heaven
So called: well, yea I guess,,I like most of the Bible and 10 commandments and do most of them
whereas;
True Believer: I'm not a good person, just redeemed by Christ's sacrifice that's why I'm going to Heaven

True Christian Definition
: A person who loves and truly stives to obey God to the best of their ability (not just lip service)....simple as that...

 

[pickles]

One who receives Jesus as called to, and lives as Jesus lived, in faith, hope and love...
As Jesus said, I do nothing on my own, for everything comes from my Father above, all is the will of my Father.
Thankyou Father God for your grace!

God bless
pickles

 

[WebersHome]

-
A Christian can be defined as someone who's not only reckoned crucified as
per post #38, but also someone who's resurrection to a better life is a done
deal; viz: it's already on the books.

†. Rom 6:4-5 . .We were therefore buried with him through baptism into
death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the
glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with
him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his
resurrection.

†. Col 2:12 . . Having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were
also raised up with him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him
from the dead.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

 

[ForthAngel]

You have left off the part of believing in your heart. Saying the words is confessing with your mouth, perhaps a mental assent only for some, though I believe you mean it when you say it. One must believe in their heart also, in their innermost self, and that translates to more than merely mouthing words, which is what I believe ForthAngel was getting at.

Romans 10:9-11 (LEB)

9 that if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord”and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

It has nothing to do with legalism. Grace777 brings that garbage to almost every
conversation. (I am using his language to show how detestable it is to see it all the
time, especially when it is not even applicable, which it rarely is, any ways.)

Thank you. That is what I was getting at. I trust in Utah's confession as well. I know he means it. I was just trying to make it clear that a born again Christian will believe from the depths of himself and not just the simple mental assent that you mentioned.

 

[ForthAngel]

You have left off the part of believing in your heart. Saying the words is confessing with your mouth, perhaps a mental assent only for some, though I believe you mean it when you say it. One must believe in their heart also, in their innermost self, and that translates to more than merely mouthing words, which is what I believe ForthAngel was getting at.

Romans 10:9-11 (LEB)

9 that if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord”and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

It has nothing to do with legalism. Grace777 brings that garbage to almost every
conversation. (I am using his language to show how detestable it is to see it all the
time, especially when it is not even applicable, which it rarely is, any ways.)

Thank you. That is what I was getting at. I trust in Utah's confession as well. I know he means it. I was just trying to make it clear that a born again Christian will believe from the depths of himself and not just the simple mental assent that you mentioned.

Also not sure how I keep getting called a legalist. As far as I know, I don't really give this impression, but who knows.

 

[BradC]

A Christian is revealed by God in their heart when they hear from God and how they respond to what God speaks to them. Don't think for a moment that God looks at anything but the response of the heart. No one can tell how a man or woman will respond when God speaks to their heart. That includes Donald Trump and any other person you may or may not not admire with your Christian thinking and stereotypical ideology.

 

[Magenta]

Thank you. That is what I was getting at. I trust in Utah's confession as well. I know he means it. I was just trying to make it clear that a born again Christian will believe from the depths of himself and not just the simple mental assent that you mentioned.

You are welcome. I understand very well what you are getting at, because every time I found myself challenged by life in a big way, I discovered how very much or how very little I was really relying upon God, and how much faith I truly had. Some situations put my state in stark relief against my own understanding and how much I was leaning on it instead of Him, and of course I was sinking in direct relation to how much I could not surrender my all to Him! More and more I have learned to not even try in my own strength... to rely more and more on Him, to have faith that He will work all things to the good as He has promised, to walk by faith and not by sight. To really walk by faith. Not to just think to myself, yes I believe, and then go to church once a week and not give it much thought the rest of the time, and be all lukewarm, but to really invest my life. God is central, almost always in my thoughts, always being pondered, looked to, and for, everything measured beside, as I go about my day to day. Many of us here know what that is like; look at you, you are so young and yet you have studied a lot and are so learned, and passionate, and I believe well balanced in how you present what you have gathered, you are doing it for the glory of God, it is easy to see how central a facet of your very being God has become, and to see the Holy Spirit of God shine forth from you, even as if you really were an angel (i.e., a messenger)... you are a far cry from anyone that anybody could call religious but lost. Sadly religious but lost is a reality, and sometimes they may be harder to reach than those who are not tainted by the teachings of false prophets. Yes, the false prophets who are religiously promoted and shamelessly get propped up here on a regular basis. As to why you get called a legalist, it is easy enough to see that anyone who actually agrees with what Jesus said in regards to obeying Him often gets called such. Add to that who you are seen to side or agree with and people will take swipes at you just because of that. There is no honour among thieves, after all.

 

[phil112]

Too simple. Don't know why everyone is trying to make it difficult. Long drawn out explanations are of little help.

A bible christian is someone who is saved and strives to have the mind of Christ.

A christian, as the world knows one, is someone who calls themselves that but is going to hell because you can't rub elbows with the world and serve Christ at the same time.

 

[Utah]

You have left off the part of believing in your heart. Saying the words is confessing with your mouth, perhaps a mental assent only for some, though I believe you mean it when you say it. One must believe in their heart also, in their innermost self, and that translates to more than merely mouthing words, which is what I believe ForthAngel was getting at.

Romans 10:9-11 (LEB)

9 that if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord”and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

It has nothing to do with legalism. Grace777 brings that garbage to almost every
conversation. (I am using his language to show how detestable it is to see it all the
time, especially when it is not even applicable, which it rarely is, any ways.)

My Sister, you know I don't speak unless its from the heart.

 

[Magenta]

My Sister, you know I don't speak unless its from the heart.

I appreciate that about you very, very much, my dear brother Utah Sometimes the utter simplicity of the words you speak, and the power of heart they convey, simply slay me. It is all good

 

[Grace777x70]

I was just showing a definition on what legalism looks like. It's funny how the truth about legalism bothers some Christians.....why would that bother us?...I would think they would want to rejoice that they are not legalistic as it nullies the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ in our life..oh well..each to their own...

I am happy every time I read something that exposes legalism...it is hostile to the law of the Spirit of life in Christ in us.

 

[Magenta]

It's funny how the truth about obeying the commandments bothers some people. The very words that Jesus spoke are held up to ridicule by such people. I would think they would rejoice in knowing the truth. Apparently, they do not. They will say out of one side of their mouth, oh, I like this about Jesus, He taught the law, and He taught grace, while out of the other side of their mouth they denigrate those who teach any aspect of the law. They will even say, you must be rid of sin consciousness. They will promote this idea for weeks on end. Then they turn around and say, oh, I repent every day. Huh? What in the world are you repenting of since you have rid yourself of sin consciousness? They make no sense with all their contradictions and pretenses of being holier than thou while they go around condemning people and calling what others believe garbage.

 

[Grace777x70]

Here are some websites that also describe legalism...it is deadly to the true Christian in Christ...as it nullifies the work of grace in is....it's a subtle creature....

How to Spot a Legalist

Confessions of a Recovering Legalist

 

[Magenta]

I would not call those who deny the very words of Jesus Christ a Christian.

 

[Grace777x70]

I even found a test for checking to see if we are legalistic in some areas...

Could you be a legalist?—Take the quiz!

[SIZE=-1]Answer yes or no to the following questions:
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]1) God's love for me depends on what I do.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]2) Meeting the expectations of others, especially those in my congregation or in positions of authority, are paramount.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]3) Moral and ethical questions are usually black and white and only made into fuzzy shades of gray by hand-wringing, bleeding-heart types.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]4) I try hard to obey God and it irritates me that others think they can get away with avoiding the same level of dedication.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]5) I fall short because I don't have enough faith, or because I haven't prayed enough, or because I just need to be a better person.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]6) God is predisposed to be angry with me because I am a sinner. My main goal in life is to try to gain God's favor by doing things that will impress him.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]7) My sense of spiritual well-being is linked to a Christian leader or membership in my church rather than a personal relationship with God.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]8) I tell my children not to do something in church or around other Christian families that I allow in my home.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]9) I believe my church is God's true church and that most other Christians may be sincere, but are sincerely wrong.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]10) The exterior choices a person makes in what they wear, hairstyle, piercings, tattoos, etc. is a clear indication of that person's character.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]11) I sometimes worry that people might take advantage of grace if it's preached too much —people might think they can do anything they want.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]12) After being around Christians for a while I feel drained —weary of putting up a false front.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]13) When I happen to miss a service or activity of my church I feel guilty
.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]14) I will likely get into heaven, even though I'm far from perfect, because I have tried to be a basically good person and God will take that into account.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]How did you do? [/SIZE]

 

[Magenta]

Haha take a quiz and see if you meet the expectations of others!
Wow. Another of your contradictions. Typical! You have no idea how
one sided you come off as, incapable of seeing the whole truth. It is
comical at times and would be quite humorous if it were not so pathetic.

 

[ForthAngel]

I even found a test for checking to see if we are legalistic in some areas...

Could you be a legalist?—Take the quiz!

[SIZE=-1]Answer yes or no to the following questions:
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]1) God's love for me depends on what I do.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]2) Meeting the expectations of others, especially those in my congregation or in positions of authority, are paramount.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]3) Moral and ethical questions are usually black and white and only made into fuzzy shades of gray by hand-wringing, bleeding-heart types.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]4) I try hard to obey God and it irritates me that others think they can get away with avoiding the same level of dedication.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]5) I fall short because I don't have enough faith, or because I haven't prayed enough, or because I just need to be a better person.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]6) God is predisposed to be angry with me because I am a sinner. My main goal in life is to try to gain God's favor by doing things that will impress him.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]7) My sense of spiritual well-being is linked to a Christian leader or membership in my church rather than a personal relationship with God.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]8) I tell my children not to do something in church or around other Christian families that I allow in my home.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]9) I believe my church is God's true church and that most other Christians may be sincere, but are sincerely wrong.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]10) The exterior choices a person makes in what they wear, hairstyle, piercings, tattoos, etc. is a clear indication of that person's character.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]11) I sometimes worry that people might take advantage of grace if it's preached too much —people might think they can do anything they want.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]12) After being around Christians for a while I feel drained —weary of putting up a false front.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]13) When I happen to miss a service or activity of my church I feel guilty
.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]14) I will likely get into heaven, even though I'm far from perfect, because I have tried to be a basically good person and God will take that into account.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]How did you do? [/SIZE]

I came up with my own questions.

You might be a heretic if you answer yes to any of the following questions:

1. Do you vehemently defend teachers who stray greatly from orthodox Christian doctrine?
   
2. Do you accuse everyone who strives to obey Christ legalists?
   
3. Do you ignore sin nature entirely?
   
4. Do you redefine words commonly defined differently by orthodox Christianity?
   
5. Do you ignore most of the bible and stick to your few out of context verses to justify your beliefs?
   
6. Are you incapable of speaking for yourself on issues related to doctrine for the most part and depend on copy/pastes from known false teachers' websites?
   
7. Do you hypocrtically accuse others of the very same things you do?
   
8. Do you attack the person rather than their doctrinal view point when your known false teachers' doctrines are under attack?
   
9. Do you forsake holiness and right living for the sake of grace because you feel like any obedience to God or Christ is legalistic?
   
10. Do you lead others to known heretics who teach contrary to scripture?
    
11. Do you buy into a health and wealth gospel that is contrary to scripture?
    
12. Do you buy into prophecies of people who's accuracy rating is less then 100%?
    
13. Do you esteem these false prophets highly?
    
14. Do you have a gang of other cultists that follow you around and defend you because you can't adequately defend yourself?
    
15. Does your gang of cultists more often than not attack the individual rather than the doctrine being presented?
    
16. Do you use diversion tactics in your arguments rather than addressing the valid points made by others?
    
17. Are you incapable of admitting when you're wrong?
    
18. Do the leaders you follow preach a different Christ?
    
19. Do the leaders you follow blaspheme God through their heretical doctrines?
    
20. Do you believe self-examination is a bad thing so you are never sure if you are an apostate or not?

I could come up with a bigger list, but this should be adequate for now. How did you do?

 

[Grace777x70]

All of us could answer every question from both lists and see how we do. I didn't make up a list for you individually and I'm sorry if it offends you like this. If you notice I said a list that "we" which includes me can check ourselves up against for being legalistic.

 

[ForthAngel]

All of us could answer every question from both lists and see how we do. I didn't make up a list for you individually and I'm sorry if it offends you like this. If you notice I said a list that "we" which includes me can check ourselves up against for being legalistic.

Then there is the group that struggled with a certain sin and was never taught about grace properly and so they left because they were defeated. Constantly feeling condemned and guilty and full of shame. The legalists keep preaching at them to change!

This was in response to Utah's response of what I was saying regarding my views. You have very often directly or indirectly accused me of being a legalist. It's getting old. You can feign ignorance as if the legalists posts you keep posting weren't aimed at me, but the truth is plain to see so stop frontin'.

And I wasn't offended. I just thought, to be fair, I'd post my own checklist. How'd you measure up?