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

[seoulsearch]

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"...

 

[Susanna]

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"...

Some people are so insecure that their only alternative is to bash people who are not exactly like them.

 

[Yahweh_is_gracious]

According to many, including myself, I am NOT a real Christian. There's a laundry list of qualifications here at CC to be a member of the "cool kids club", and I don't meet them. In many cases, I have no desire to meet them. I made those feelings well known very early when I came back to this site last year. I'm still catching flak from it from a few butthurt bettys. C'est la vie.

What passes for a "real Christian" according to the status quo around here - I want no part of and if that's what it takes to be considered a Christian and not have to walk a gauntlet through throngs of members who only get use from their Bible to beat the hell out of other people - I'll just keep my "spiritual status" as UNSURE and keep as far away from the title of "Christian" as I can. Just keep playing my faith close to the vest. S'all good.

 

[PrynceNY]

The only thing that matters is what God thinks of you not man. If people decide to label others not real christians that's their choice. However whatever measure they use to judge others they will be judged by the same level.

 

[seoulsearch]

According to many, including myself, I am NOT a real Christian. There's a laundry list of qualifications here at CC to be a member of the "cool kids club", and I don't meet them. In many cases, I have no desire to meet them. I made those feelings well known very early when I came back to this site last year. I'm still catching flak from it from a few butthurt bettys. C'est la vie.

What passes for a "real Christian" according to the status quo around here - I want no part of and if that's what it takes to be considered a Christian and not have to walk a gauntlet through throngs of members who only get use from their Bible to beat the hell out of other people - I'll just keep my "spiritual status" as UNSURE and keep as far away from the title of "Christian" as I can. Just keep playing my faith close to the vest. S'all good.

This is a really interesting--and extremely valid--point, Yahweh.

I'm trying to think back in my own life, to conversations with people of many different beliefs, including atheists, agnostics, Wiccans, etc... and the most vicious opposition I've ever faced personally in my own life--was from other people claiming to be "true" Christians.

This is why, unless I personally know the person is cut from a different cloth, I never get excited if I hear, for example, that "a good Christian" obtained a particular higher-up position, etc. In my experience, it just means that someone just received an even bigger platform from which to preach (their own) agenda from.

One of my biggest frustrations with the Christian community is that EVERYONE thinks they're right, because they all believe that God has their back, and so, they assume that what are really their own beliefs are straight from God. I try very hard to keep in my that my own beliefs always have a measure for human error of interpretation and/or stupidity (especially when its my own.)

I've never considered putting down "unsure" as my spiritual status, but I can certainly understand why some Christians would in order to dodge a few thousand bullets (seeing as the Christian community seems to prefer machine guns.) And, the older I get and the more ridiculousness I read, I must admit that someday, I might be swayed to do the same.

 

[notuptome]

Ro 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

If you are not confident that should you die tonight you would awake in heaven I would take some time to make certain to settle that question.

I'm not doubting my status before the Lord. I do believe we all have doubts early in our walk with the Lord but over time and with prayer He reveals and gives full assurance to us.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[laura_charlotte]

Your beliefs, your baptism, your practices, your bible study and application, your relationship with the Lord and your church.

 

[seoulsearch]

Just to clarify, as I tried to do in my original post:

I am confident in my faith (in a God-assured way) when I read the Bible concerning God's qualification for salvation -- believing that we are sinners, and because of that, Jesus died for our sins and paved the way for our salvation. Nothing is going to take that away or change that.

However, it's when I hear OTHER PEOPLE'S definitions of what God supposedly and how much I don't fit the requirements that I find myself scratching my head.

For example, I was once being treated for a medical complication and there was a good Christian woman, right in my face, telling me that I was not a real Christian because of it. Another told me that if I had "real faith", I'd do away with what the doctors recommended and just trust in God... because of course, that's what "real" Christians do.

I was a lot younger and more impressionable then. The only reason I listened to people in the first place is because I know I can't understand God entirely on my own--I need teachers and fellowship along the way. It's just that there are so many crackpots out there who try to pass themselves off as spiritual gurus...

Now days, I run from anyone who puts the label on others as "not being a real Christian" because it means that they obviously think that THEY are somehow a "real" Christian... and have miraculously obtained the authority to judge whether or not others make the cut.

As many here know, I used to be involved in a ministry that worked with inmates. My two rules for myself were: 1. Never ask about their cases. If THEY brought up the subject to me (which they always did), that was fine. But I wouldn't ask them because they were already used to being seen as only a case and a number. I am always interested in people, not numbers or files. 2. I would never, at any point, judge whether or not they were a Christian, no matter how severe their crimes (which sometimes included murder, attempted murder, and/or sexual assault, including against children.)

Many of the ones I communicate with had grown up in Christian homes and still said they were Christians (or born again.) I have always believed that only God can know what they truly believe, and while it's up to me to use wisdom and discernment in dealing with such situations, I don't believe it is my right at all to judge whether or not someone is a Christian, let alone a "real" Christian. But, that's just me.

And, I was just using myself as an example... Hopefully so that other people, as Yahweh and others have, will talk about their own personal beliefs and experiences as to why they believe that they are, or are not, a Christian.

 

[NotmebutHim]

To me, a true Christian is one who puts full trust in Christ and His work. Someone who desires to be holy. Now, exactly how one lives out holiness is between him/her and God.

 

[seoulsearch]

Something else that I've observed over the years is that people who pull the "so-and-so isn't a real Christian" or "I'm beginning to think Sister Sally or Brother Bob isn't even really saved" cards are usually just trying to manipulate other people into doing what they want and/or are dealing with rejection.

It's interesting that the "not a real Christian" or "not really saved" card always seems to be pulled out after a disagreement about something. For example... if you won't vote for them, support their agenda, donate money to their cause, attend their church, or even go out on a date with them, suddenly, it's the "not a Christian Corner" for you.

If all you would do is agree with the person, do what they want, or somehow validate their beliefs... Well then, glory hallelujah! Suddenly you will be placed back into the "Fellowship Camp (Cult)" once again.

Maybe it's just me, but I've always sensed something fishy about those kinds of "relations."

And, it's not because Jesus said we would be Fishers of Men.

 

[Yahweh_is_gracious]

...isn't it sad that the same cliquish crap we had to deal with in Junior High and High School never really stopped? It's the same game, just different players.

 

[seoulsearch]

...isn't it sad that the same cliquish crap we had to deal with in Junior High and High School never really stopped? It's the same game, just different players.

What's even more disheartening is that this is in the church, which is supposed to be a place of refuge, acceptance, and understanding.

I've always wondered why many Christians couldn't understand why, to some, it felt safer to go to a bar and unload what was really going on in your life than to a church.

I was never a bar person, but the few times I did go as a DD for my friends, I'd always wind up sitting at a booth/table talking to someone about the hardships and meaning of life.

Which we are supposed to be able to do in church. But even I wouldn't readily do that (there are few people I truly get to know and trust), because, as a lifelong Christian, I know what really happens there.

And, it ain't pretty.

Which is another thing that puts me outside the regular Christian circle. I don't believe in expecting the unsaved to come crawling into churches to us without at least putting in the effort of trying to meet them halfway. I'd rather go out to where they are, and try to talk to them on their own turf (without partying or falling into sin.)

 

[WineRose]

I would consider myself to be, but to others, I would most likely fail at the witnessing bit (My father was the only person I ever witnessed to). I also don't go to church, so...

 

[Susanna]

I don't believe people consider me a real Christian. I don't care. I'm so full of sin you'd need a shopping buggy to bring them to the Lord. Yet I put my faith in Him.

 

[notmyown]

years ago James Dobson wrote a book. i don't recall the name because my friend Amanda dubbed it 'why life sucks and you still believe in God'.
(i hope that language isn't too crass for the website)

if you're going through life in this broken world.... suffering 'the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune' and you still believe the Gospel... you still trust Christ to save you...

that's God enabling you to persevere in the faith. you're a Christian.

 

[Galatea]

Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

That's the gospel, Charlie Brown.

 

[Pipp]

I realize my sinful self needed God's forgiveness and asked him for mercy . I fail him alot so,I wouldn't exactly call myself a good Christian... I'm just a sinner saved by grace and I'm thankful.

 

[phil36]

This is an interesting subject and we should come to it with humility.

Really when it comes down to it there are what we call the essentials. Basically the ABC's - The Vrigin birth/ Incarnation, Christs perfect life (the perfect man), His death and resurrection (And our response to Jesus' life death and resurrection).

There are secondary issues, things like - Baptism, end times etc etc. these are not essential to agree on as having the right answer here won't save you (However, they are still issues that we will come to affirm biblically and sometimes we'll change our minds on these issues). Most debates you see in the bible discussion area are not life or death issues, they are secondary. But never the less well worth debating.

Tertiary issues are a bit of nonsense really. An example is one given above 'that you must belong to a certain denomination' or the like.

Anything after that tends to come from nutters and crackpots lol.

For more on knowing yourself if your saved, doing a good study of 1 John 2 will help.

Regarding how Christians treat each other, especially in a church setting we do have to remember that we are broken people being carried on the wings of an eagle. We are all at different stages in our walk with Jesus, and still capable of sinning towards each other. It takes patience when some is to you and it takes humility and asking for forgiveness when we do it to others.

I can relate about the issue of being not well, and being told because it was because of unconfessed sin. I just smiled and said to the person ' It's a good job our saviour is merciful to us all'. they went very quiet then. However, when I thought about it later, I confessed about my attitude because I was quite angry at what they had said.I learned a great lesson that day.

There is also the consideration that not all people in our churches are actually christians, we need to be aware of this. Theologians talk of the visible and invisible church. Basically it means there are those who are and those who seem to be but are not. The wheat and tares. How can you tell.. well its nearly impossible. Simply because those who are saved may be immature for years, some may grow quickly so its not an easy call (unless they are teaching and believing in blatantly false things).

The church (us) is not perfected yet.

Anyhow just a few thoughts.

 

[Ariel82]

For the longest time I didn't label myself as Christian. I simply said I was a child of God, because He told me I was.

I felt that if saying I was Christian gave people the false belief that they could nitpick and find fault in me, then I could do without the title.

 

[cinder]

I've been thinking about this from a slightly different angle recently. Mostly I've been thinking about the parable of the wheat and the weeds and how utterly unconcerned God is about sorting out who is who right now. Just let the weeds grow up with the wheat because pulling out the weeds now endangers the plants. My friend is also quick to bring up the parable of the sheep and the goats and point out that the criteria of who gets welcomed into the kingdom and who is rejected is the measure of loving, serving, and showing concern for the lowest and most needy people. And I think too of the Matthew 7 passage about those who say Lord Lord look at all the miracles we did in your name, and he says depart, I never knew you. These days I think the Bible makes it clear that a lot of people who "know" don't know accurately, and that maybe the question of who is or isn't a "real Christian" isn't even a question God considers to be worth our asking. After all we could just ask how can I help this person desire to follow God more completely (whether they're 90% Christlike or 5% christlike).