How Do You Even Know That You're A Real Christian?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
14,943
4,584
113
#41
Do you think I am a G.I.? Lol I confess I have never served in the world's army beloved Seoul.
No, no, Sweetheart. Though I would surely thank you even if you did.

But I do believe your former identity here was G.I.S.

Sometimes I miss the mark--rather badly--but particular manners of "speech" (even, and sometimes especially, in writing) stand out to me, and yours is definitely distinctive.

Blessings to you!
 
Jan 28, 2017
193
2
0
#42
No, no, Sweetheart. Thought I would surely thank you if you did.

But I do believe your former identity here was G.I.S.

Sometimes I miss the mark--rather badly--but particular manners of "speech" (even, and sometimes especially, in writing) stand out to me, and yours is definitely distinctive.

Blessings to you!
Lol I am not Sweetheart either heheheheheh.

I wist I have no former identity, but only distinctly that I am who I am.

EDIT: Though if it bothers and confuses you this manner of my typing I can change it for you.
 

JasonNosneh

Senior Member
Aug 2, 2015
110
4
18
#43
A real Christian is someone who has genuine love for God in their heart and a fake one does not. A lot of people think it is what you do that makes you a Christian, but that is pretty much non-sense. People are always at different levels in their walk with Christ and judging them isn't going to help anyone at all.
 
Jan 28, 2017
193
2
0
#44
A real Christian is someone who has genuine love for God in their heart and a fake one does not. A lot of people think it is what you do that makes you a Christian, but that is pretty much non-sense. People are always at different levels in their walk with Christ and judging them isn't going to help anyone at all.
This be a good look right hurr. I reckon yousa real Christian though I have not metcha befoh. Tho the Bible duz say to do just judgement and that God loves just judgement. That might be more da key I believe. Every1 judges, that's justa fact. The unjust never judge justly becuz they never listen, their mindz are all ready made up. They lack empathy and love for their brothas. The key is love. How can one know if one loves God? It is by how they love each other and by how they love the stranger.
 

cinder

Senior Member
Mar 26, 2014
4,328
2,361
113
#45
I smell someone who is either troll or fool, and who might just end up very disappointed to learn that it really is him and we aren't going to like him any better under his new name than his old name. But here's a tip, writing with normal English rather than pretentious sounding Shakespeare / King Jimmy English or indecipherable slang would go a long way towards fitting in. It really shouldn't be that complicated to do.
 

cinder

Senior Member
Mar 26, 2014
4,328
2,361
113
#46
A real Christian is someone who has genuine love for God in their heart and a fake one does not. A lot of people think it is what you do that makes you a Christian, but that is pretty much non-sense. People are always at different levels in their walk with Christ and judging them isn't going to help anyone at all.
But God is such a nebulous idea, what if the God they love bears little or no resemblance to the God of the Bible or the God Jesus preached? Would they still be a christian then? (And then there's the thing about not being able to truly love God if you can't love your neighbor).
 
Jan 28, 2017
193
2
0
#47
I smell someone who is either troll or fool, and who might just end up very disappointed to learn that it really is him and we aren't going to like him any better under his new name than his old name. But here's a tip, writing with normal English rather than pretentious sounding Shakespeare / King Jimmy English or indecipherable slang would go a long way towards fitting in. It really shouldn't be that complicated to do.
I simply write how I speak Cinder. Don't you? You can hate me if you want, I'm not trying to impress you.
 

JesusLives

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2013
14,551
2,171
113
#48
Blonds idea for her own self of what a Christian is...

One who follows Christ. One who wants to be like Christ reflecting Christ in their life.

Not so much what you do, who you are......or religious affiliation....
 
Jan 28, 2017
193
2
0
#49
Blonds idea for her own self of what a Christian is...

One who follows Christ. One who wants to be like Christ reflecting Christ in their life.

Not so much what you do, who you are......or religious affiliation....
Blonde always was smart. Though I have to think that would be one's religious affiliation.
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#50
I smell someone who is either troll or fool, and who might just end up very disappointed to learn that it really is him and we aren't going to like him any better under his new name than his old name. But here's a tip, writing with normal English rather than pretentious sounding Shakespeare / King Jimmy English or indecipherable slang would go a long way towards fitting in. It really shouldn't be that complicated to do.
I think I know who he is. I suspect this has a lot to do with how everyone assumes too much.

If I'm right, he's not a troll. As for fools? Ain't we all?
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#51
Hey Everyone,

After about 15 minutes of reading bits and pieces all over the forums, I've concluded that to a lot of people, I would not be considered a "real" Christian.

For example, some of the things I've read were:

1. If you struggle with X, you are not a real Christian.
2. If you've dealt with X, you are not a real Christian.
3. If you take medication for Problems X, Y, and Z (nothing like a triple-hitter here), you're not a real Christian.
4. If you aren't a part of X Church or Denomination, you are not a real Christian.
5. If you (don't live, think, and breathe in the same rhythm as I do and/or eat the same food), you are not a real Christian.

Some of these things apply to me, and some do not. But I have to admit, it left me wondering... Am I even a real Christian?

I believe that I am a hopeless sinner, at the mercy of an Almighty, Sovereign God who chose to send His Son Jesus Christ, to lay down His life for my sins. My only hope is in the fact that Jesus paid the eternal price for my inescapable sin.

And because of that, I (assume, at least) that I am a real Christian. According to most of what I read, however, I am wrong.

So... In your opinion, what makes YOU a "real" Christian?

Or, such as in the threads, is there a long list of other qualifications we should all have to meet first before we are allowed to identify ourselves as followers of Christ?

This seems to be a pretty important subject to discuss as a single person, seeing as none of us want to be "unequally yoked"...
I found a meme that fits my opinion:



It stills makes me ask the same questions I already asked. What about those who have old affections? Are we not supposed to mention it? When I say it, it is both something I'm truly trying to get that person to see, but it is also a buoy to remind others there's a rock right below the surface so navigate accordingly.

I can think of more than one person on this site that I do wonder about. What stops me from going so boldly often on decreeing they aren't is the distinct memory of my first six years in the Lord. I backslide quickly. (I was stripped of fellowship withing three months of rebirth and had no idea how to navigate yet.) You couldn't tell by how I acted, but God really did save me despite how I acted.

It won't ever stop me from telling out-and-out where they are wrong -- for their benefit and the benefit of those who don't know the waters yet. And it doesn't stop me from praying that God has mercy.
 
D

DCrawshawJr

Guest
#52
Wow. I guess I'm also part of the "non real" Christians here...I get along with an atheist! He once asked me a question about whether or not I believed in climate change. My best answer was "Yes, I believe in climate change, from Spring to Summer to Fall to Winter." We often talk about topics forbidden at the dinner table. :)

But to answer your question Seoul, to me, a real Christian is basically someone who believes in Jesus, just as the pre-penitent Scrooge believes that Christmas is a humbug. Both Scrooge and a Christian prove to the rest of the world that they believe through their actions. I would like to think it's that simple. It's not merely a "Jesus exists" belief, it's a "God is speaking the truth" belief.

So, do you believe? Is your belief proven in your actions? If so, then you're a Christian. If you don't believe (and it also shows in your actions), you're not a Christian. It's plain and simple.
 
D

DCrawshawJr

Guest
#53
Actually, the Bible already has something for believers who wonder if they're Christians. I John. Chapter 5, verse 13 says: "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,325
2,416
113
#55
Hey Everyone,

After about 15 minutes of reading bits and pieces all over the forums, I've concluded that to a lot of people, I would not be considered a "real" Christian.

For example, some of the things I've read were:

1. If you struggle with X, you are not a real Christian.
2. If you've dealt with X, you are not a real Christian.
3. If you take medication for Problems X, Y, and Z (nothing like a triple-hitter here), you're not a real Christian.
4. If you aren't a part of X Church or Denomination, you are not a real Christian.
5. If you (don't live, think, and breathe in the same rhythm as I do and/or eat the same food), you are not a real Christian.

Some of these things apply to me, and some do not. But I have to admit, it left me wondering... Am I even a real Christian?

I believe that I am a hopeless sinner, at the mercy of an Almighty, Sovereign God who chose to send His Son Jesus Christ, to lay down His life for my sins. My only hope is in the fact that Jesus paid the eternal price for my inescapable sin.

And because of that, I (assume, at least) that I am a real Christian. According to most of what I read, however, I am wrong.

So... In your opinion, what makes YOU a "real" Christian?

Or, such as in the threads, is there a long list of other qualifications we should all have to meet first before we are allowed to identify ourselves as followers of Christ?

This seems to be a pretty important subject to discuss as a single person, seeing as none of us want to be "unequally yoked"...


If you ask too many questions... you're not a real christian.
 
Jan 28, 2017
193
2
0
#57
I think I know who he is. I suspect this has a lot to do with how everyone assumes too much.

If I'm right, he's not a troll. As for fools? Ain't we all?
Well you don't have to talk past me ya know Lynn lol I am quite a voracious reader whether I be present or not I will probably read what you have written. No, not really about assumptions at all. I am understanding of how people will make assumptions about me, even the false assumptions which frankly amuse the heck out of me. It's okay if you make an assumption about me, I have no problem with that as long as you can change your assumption when I tell you whether it is right or wrong. We all make assumptions, every single one of us, I do, you do, we all do. I think the meatier part is whether one is willing to test their assumptions to tease out the truth. Though this is in no way my intent here, but as always you bring interesting things to the table to ponder upon Lynn.

Also a shout out to DCrawshawJr, always liked you though we did not interact much. Always found you funny and insightful, and your avatar is very memorable to me. I would say you are a Christian because you always treated me as one. Though just as with Mr. Gracious, if you're guessing you're not, what else could I guess? Maybe guess again? There is nothing wrong with getting along with atheists, that does not cancel out your Christianity. After all just as it is written, if we love only our own, what reward do we really have?
 
Jan 28, 2017
193
2
0
#58
Baptist, Catholic, Methodist....etc....
Oh I see what you are meaning smart blonde. Heheheheheh I suppose those are religions affiliating with the doctrines of man, of which I am not a fan indeed. Your point is very valid, but even still one could say Christianity is indeed a religious affiliation, a religion affiliating with Christ. At least by way of semantics anyways, but perhaps I am overthinking (or underthinking?) as is my chronic fault.
 

cinder

Senior Member
Mar 26, 2014
4,328
2,361
113
#59
I think I know who he is. I assume this has a lot to do with how everyone assumes too much.

If I'm right, he's not a troll. As for fools? Ain't we all?
Yes we can all be fools at times. Fortunately we call all be forgiven for foolishness all the time. Oh and fixed it for you. I can't let a good joke like that be passed up.
 
Jan 28, 2017
193
2
0
#60
Yes we can all be fools at times. Fortunately we call all be forgiven for foolishness all the time. Oh and fixed it for you. I can't let a good joke like that be passed up.
Hehehehe good pun.

Nothing wrong with being a fool, Bible says the fools are the wise ones now.