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"...