How Do You Determine If Someone Is "Christian Enough" For You?

[Nautilus]

Church is an important supplement, but learning about God starts in the home. A child's first idea of God as a father begins with looking at their own earthly father. So basically, how your child views you is how he/she will view God the Father. (Whether that is attentive, disinterested, patient or demanding, etc etc.) Just something to think about. That is all. Thanks for being so cool about my opinions.

That makes a lot of since, and it's a nice point. I never really connected my views on God to be somewhat related to the views of my own father. It is definitely something to think about. And your opinions are fine haha, its not like were in BD where everyone else is forever wrong.

it's extremely subtle, though. they hold these conferences, of which i attended part of one, mostly out of curiosity.

the deceptive thing is (at the time) i couldn't find a single flaw in the logic of their biblical handouts. they are conservatively written, lots of scripture and from what i can recall, thought there was decent stuff offered. unfortunately, they have a gift for pushing legalism to a whole new level.

one example i can think of is that my mom and sister refused to ride in my truck while i was listening to some secular music i had playing. i quickly attempted to appeal to them, offering to change the music to a christian station. unfortunately, there was percussion in the music, and therefore, of the devil, so i turned off my stereo (considering i was fresh out of classical at the moment). i asked if everyone in the family believed in this, and i was told "well, not everyone is that spiritually mature yet" or some kind of similar statement.

also, because my sister decided to get married to someone (another christian) and didn't follow the "courtship rules" the scars from that whole debacle are still healing. i had no idea whether the rest of the family would be showing up, or what. she was practically cut off from the majority of the church because of her "defiance".

also, a number of them are hardcore into "God planning your family" to the extent that many (if not all) feel birth control is sinful. as a result, many have rather large families.

i can speak of these things now only because they're all out of the gothard-ites--thankfully everyone's been sprung free.

That actually sounds like an awful thing to be a part of, but one I think I might like visiting just once...pull up in jeans and a black t-shirt with some christian metal band blaring out my car radios...oh the fun i would have.

 

[Countess]

I agree searching4truth. Everything must be perfectly aligned in this world. But many people wouldn't understand this. But I've always believed this: in the land of the blind, the sighted one is always the hated

 

[thecreationtutor]

I generally would rather have a woman whose faith has flourished with a foundation in suffering. She's been changed by the Gospel, and has a closeness to the Lord, which I could not take away. A theology born out of suffering in a woman and a marriage just speak a lot to a dying world, and to the man and woman, a faith more precious then beauty and riches combined

 

[Countess]

The creation tutor, what do you mean by a woman who has experienced suffering? And with your ideology that "she would have a closeness to god I couldn't take away?" What does that mean?

 

[thecreationtutor]

The creation tutor, what do you mean by a woman who has experienced suffering? And with your ideology that "she would have a closeness to god I couldn't take away?" What does that mean?

Ideology - no, I have met some awesome Christian ladies on this site, who have gone through suffering, whose faith is super strong in grace. I could tell you of 4 on this site, but they don't like to share personal information too much - and I wouldn't call attention to them - it's not idealistic - all those who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer

A closeness to God - she doesn't need my faith, but has her own, therefore able to pick me up when I am down, and visa versa

 

[Countess]

Really? Well I guess I wouldn't know anything about that. I think it would kinda be boring to be with someone so "close to God" almost like they are acting so "perfect." Life doesn't exist like this.

 

[thecreationtutor]

Really? Well I guess I wouldn't know anything about that. I think it would kinda be boring to be with someone so "close to God" almost like they are acting so "perfect." Life doesn't exist like this.

[video=youtube;94uqMo68ZDo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94uqMo68ZDo[/video]

not acting perfect - in fact seeing their sin and turning from it, seeking to be free of their sin - this is Holiness - this is what believers long for

 

[Countess]

No one"s righteous no not one!!

 

[Grace-Like-Rain]

No one"s righteous no not one!!

No one is righteous in themselves. All who believe in Christ are made righteous and holy through HIM. He does for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

 

[thecreationtutor]

No one"s righteous no not one!!

Context of that verse please - that is saying that no one apart from salvation and justification is righteous - or can be righteous

positional Holiness - it's the Holiness and Righteousness of Christ

 

[Countess]

Righteousness in christ doesn't mean that you are righteous. It means the infiniteness of a God that "supposedly" in you is righteous, not the person but the God is.

 

[thecreationtutor]

Righteousness in christ doesn't mean that you are righteous. It means the infiniteness of a God that "supposedly" in you is righteous, not the person but the God is.

what then is sanctification?
what then is bearing fruit?
what then is obedience?
what then is walking by the Spirit?
what then is glorification?
what then is justification?

 

[Countess]

Sanctification: a sinner accepted for his imperfections. Bearing fruit: a wholesome title given to the act of maybe doing one thing that may be considered "holy".
Obedience: wishful thinking. Walking by the spirit: a nice way of saying you have no idea how to do this "Christian" thing!

 

[thecreationtutor]

Sanctification: a sinner accepted for his imperfections. Bearing fruit: a wholesome title given to the act of maybe doing one thing that may be considered "holy".
Obedience: wishful thinking. Walking by the spirit: a nice way of saying you have no idea how to do this "Christian" thing!

I am beginning to question - are you trolling on here? Do you know what salvation is? are you a Christian yourself?

i am not trying to be rude or condescending, but the words and thoughts coming from your mind creates a lot of concern

 

[Countess]

I'm not a Christian. Never said I was. No need to be concerned. It's okay lol. I am a spiritual person but not religious never will be. Can't be a part of an established religion; actually refuse to be, too much hypocrisy.

 

[thecreationtutor]

I'm not a Christian. Never said I was. No need to be concerned. It's okay lol. I am a spiritual person but not religious never will be. Can't be a part of an established religion; actually refuse to be, too much hypocrisy.

ah, then most of the stuff, you have no idea what I am talking about

everyone is 'spiritual' it's just when we assume there is only good spiritual is one problem. Established religion is man's attempt to get to God - real Christianity is God reaching down to man, God serving man - there is too much hypocrisy in saying too much hypocrisy - unrealistic expectations of people who say they are Christians - do you hold yourself to those standards? If not, what does that make you?

and if you watch that video I posted - that's real Christianity

 

[Countess]

Actually you are wrong. I know everything about what you talk about. Probably a lot more than you know. Now your post suddenly doesn't seem like much of concern anymore, more of a subtle degradation of me, a lower standard of yourself; merely just because I'm not one of you; now who's the hypocrite? I think of myself no better than anyone else. I follow four moral laws that every society should follow and I do believe in God and Jesus but not the same way you do, now who's belief is superior? I think neither; I think out beliefs are equal in the eyes of our Maker!

 

[thecreationtutor]

Actually you are wrong. I know everything about what you talk about. Probably a lot more than you know. Now your post suddenly doesn't seem like much of concern anymore, more of a subtle degradation of me, a lower standard of yourself; merely just because I'm not one of you; now who's the hypocrite? I think of myself no better than anyone else. I follow four moral laws that every society should follow and I do believe in God and Jesus but not the same way you do, now who's belief is superior? I think neither; I think out beliefs are equal in the eyes of our Maker!

Well, then I guess I can believe in killing the unborn and still be right in the eyes of the Maker. If you do not believe that Jesus is who He says He is you will die in your sins.

The nazi's were a great progressive nation - and what did they do
The Russians were straight up atheistic government - and what did they do
The North Koreans are working on some form of 'morality" and a "diety" ruler - how is that going for them?

You have lost concern, because I am right, and you don't know what I am talking about because your not indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Am I on here saying that I am better? No - i was lost in this world till I was 27 years old. It's grace, I didn't earn it, I didn't deserve it, I still don't deserve it. And actually you came up with a verse and tried to play the "christian" in your answers, so your the one being a little hypocritical, and can't admit some of the things you said were wrong.

2 things

Revelation(logos) - is the Word of God - anyone can read it, anyone can understand it
Illumination(rhema) - is the voice of God - only those who are born again by the Spirit - can know it in saving faith.

In the beginning was the logos -- plain to see - the Creator
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the rhema - God gives that faith

 

[Jullianna]

I meant to respond to this earlier, but was sidetracked a bit by our visitor (I would apologize, but I find it a bit difficult to apologize for sharing Christ with someone, anytime, anywhere ).

I once dated a girl who merely considered herself a Deist. This was a new revelation to her, as she had grown up as an Atheist.

She was smarter than me, but she was not afraid of any answer, of any question or of any line of reasoning.

She peered into the depths, and the depths peered back. She was not the kind of person who would take anything at face value. She was reasonable, but usually had to find out for herself.

Her curiosity was inspiring, contagious and poetic. She genuinely wanted to know WHO God is.


She could quote Kierkegaard, C.S. Lewis, Mohammed, Buddha, and Jesus but what she mostly watched was actions. Strangely enough the fact that I picked up hitchhikers is what opened the door for us to talk about God.

From there it was literally Orthodox Liturgy and Reading of the Bible that moved her to start praying on her own.





I will say this, I don't know that I could have ever spiritually led her. However, I know that if I could justify what I believed and back it up, she would have followed me anywhere.

It's difficult to be drawn to someone who seems to be seeking, but isn't quite there yet. Some part of you knows this and you try to convince yourself that you are wrong because you want to be with them. The heart is so good at wrestling with the mind. It can be a very long painful battle. God tugs at your heart about it and you ignore it. Other people try to warn you (because they see you changing/struggling) and you ignore them too. You cling for dear life with gritted teeth to the hope that something will happen, something will click in them that will light a burning passion and deeper understanding of the things of God. You want it, not just for yourself, but for them as well. You have deep concerns for their relationship for Christ. Then comes the time when it begins to take a toll on your own relationship with Christ. You see yourself becoming a shadow of your former self. Your own passion begins to grow cold and you may still choose to bury your head in the sand. It is then that YOU, too, are in danger.

REVELATION 2:“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. [SUP]2 [/SUP]I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. [SUP]3 [/SUP]You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
[SUP]4 [/SUP]Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.[SUP]5 [/SUP]Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.)


Then comes the day when you feel that passion again. When the fire is rekindled. When God grabs ahold of you, loves on you and shows you that you have been too far away from Him for far too long. And what you have known all along finally hits home. Your life is not your own. You are not your own. You have no choice. When a relationship is hurting your walk with Christ, you have to let it go.

Even if the other person is seeking Him, may even claim to belong to Him, the risk of being unequally yoked is one I cannot take. The price is far too high. I cannot put a person above my God.

I can see how this might not be as much of a thing for men in some ways. They are in a position of leadership within a marriage. But I would think they would still want to be with someone who understood where they were coming from. Someone who understood the God-breathed compassion that drives us to serve hurting people even when it is inconvenient. Someone who understands that a godly life can be an adventure, but must also be balanced with duty and service. Someone who is as excited about soaking up the Word of God as you are, whose life revolves around His Truth rather than fear and excuses.

For ladies who have been walking with the Lord for a considerable amount of time it is definitely a thing.

You are absolutely right, Liamson. When a woman like that can see godly wisdom and holy passion in a man, she will, indeed, follow him anywhere with respect beyond measure, even if it means walking away from things she thought she wanted in her life. I can see how that might be too much for some guys, but it is what it is.

What if I told you that the prime motivation for me to be in a relationship is Love.

Sex is like volleyball or bowling, its something fun we can do together, but its not a big reason for me to be in a relationship.

A lot of women NEEDED to see you say this. Once a woman of God gets up the intestinal fortitude to say no to a man she deeply cares about, many of them will find the flimsiest excuse they can to bolt (Maybe the reverse is true as well, but I wouldn't know. Don't want to assume.). We all need to know there are men out there who really do understand. Thank you.

 

[Descyple]

I know a woman is Christian enough for me when....................

1. She understands the Book of Genesis is not a biography of Phil Collins' musical career.

2. She can properly pronounce the name "Habakkuk" without sounding like a Klingon.

3. She fanatically follows Jesus' words "It is better to give than to receive", and she gives me all the chocolate she receives at Christmas!!!