How non believers may view Christian's.

[tourist]

I know what I believe, I know why I believe it, and no Presbyterian friend is going to shake my belief.


But if the Presbyterian friend keeps arguing about the part we disagree on every time he sees me, I will probably start not wanting to talk to him any more. We can only be friends if he doesn't argue a lot.

Yeah, your Presbyterian friend has to rachet it down a bit.

 

[tourist]

Lol, yah they love to argue over stuff that has nothing to do with salvation and following christ don't they.

Sounds like what takes place in the BDF.

 

[Karlon]

I just have a quick question for everyone to consider. What is it that unifies the Christian faith? What is it that Christians are doing to impact the world in a positive way. I would also include non trinitarians in this discussion, as well as what many may consider to be cult like Christianity. Such as mormonism. I wanna know what unifies all Christians, followers, and believers in Jesus Christ, regardless of belife or religon. I wanna know how we all can come together to make a positive impact. I also believe that many non-believers want to know the same thing, and want to see this happening within the Christian community. For non believers to consider christianity as a valid example and somthing worthwhile to be part of. Unfortunately, it seems that most people who are Christian, are just focused on their own salvation, and what they believe is right, and coming against what they believe is wrong. I don't believe that this is really a good example of how to be a Christian, and a follower of Jesus Christ.
Could you please shed some light on this for me?
The unfortunate truth is that a lot of times I am embarrassed to call myself a Christian or to say that I'm a follower Christ, when the example is that Christians can't seem to be unified and disagree amongst themselves. We then claim that, our god is powerful that he's mighty and does great things, but pur god can't unify his people or clear up all the confusion. When you look at what's going on in the Christian community, typically the impression is the Christian churches are full of gossip, that they are mean and bigoted, and they are hypocritical, demanding that people do what they themselves are not able to do. I think, as a Christian community, if we were to take our eyes off of ourselves for a moment, and think about how the Christian community is reflecting God, we would then be more focused on making god look good, instead of making ourselves look good. Because really, we are the example that people look to, to determine what kind of God you're trying to convince non believers to follow, and it doesn't seem like it's a God worth following, when you take a look at the example of the followers of this god.

the perfect short answer is belief & obedience in Jesus without selfiishness. supplemental: when a Christian trains himself or herself to constantly think, speak & act like Jesus, then that's the unification. always interested in what can be done for someone else & placing self last.

 

[Cameron143]

Thanks for the apology. I'm not trying to get on anyone's bad side or be a hindrance, just so you know in the first and second century they didn't walk down aisles, they walked to their death. That Jesus requirment to follow him is to die. Correct, the only way is through Jesus Christ. What this means is that only Jesus Christ knew and was able to reveal the father.This wasn't even revealed in the Old Testament.
Jesus christ also replaced yahweh as lord. Most people don't even know what it means to accept and follow someone as their lord. The reason why they make it so easy now for someone to become a Christian is because their interested in growth, conversion, and profit. This has nothing to do with following Christ. During the first and second century they were very selective about who they chose to represent god. Now just about anybody has a pass to represent god. This is a problem, and this is not walking the narrow path. The requirement to be saved according to the Christian faith now, is not how we are taught to be saved according to Jesus and the apostles.

Do you want to be saved?

 

[Nufan]

i think the truth claim of Christianity isn't altered by people's behavior. it stands as is.



faith without works is dead, eh?

yes, those with faith in Christ will bear fruit.
a caveat: it may not appear so at all times to you, or to me. there will be growth spurts, and dry seasons. we have to allow for these things with patience, and grace for our fellow believers. yet we can know our Lord Jesus began a work in His people, and He will be faithful to complete it.

Paul adjures us in Philippians to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling... not everyone else's.

Paul also warned not to follow false prophets and teachers. So we are instructed to use discernment concerning others.

 

[Nufan]

the perfect short answer is belief & obedience in Jesus without selfiishness. supplemental: when a Christian trains himself or herself to constantly think, speak & act like Jesus, then that's the unification. always interested in what can be done for someone else & placing self last.

What does it mean to believe?

 

[Nufan]

Do you want to be saved?

Im not saved until I stand before the judge and im pardoned. Weather im saved or not is not my business. God is righteous and I know his decision is whats best.

 

[Nufan]

the perfect short answer is belief & obedience in Jesus without selfiishness. supplemental: when a Christian trains himself or herself to constantly think, speak & act like Jesus, then that's the unification. always interested in what can be done for someone else & placing self last.

Really this is a good answer. But what does believe mean?

 

[Nufan]

i think the truth claim of Christianity isn't altered by people's behavior. it stands as is.



faith without works is dead, eh?

yes, those with faith in Christ will bear fruit.
a caveat: it may not appear so at all times to you, or to me. there will be growth spurts, and dry seasons. we have to allow for these things with patience, and grace for our fellow believers. yet we can know our Lord Jesus began a work in His people, and He will be faithful to complete it.

Paul adjures us in Philippians to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling... not everyone else's.

people's view of god is altered by those who claim to know god all the time. Bolth good and bad

 

[Cameron143]

Im not saved until I stand before the judge and im pardoned. Weather im saved or not is not my business. God is righteous and I know his decision is whats best.

Eternal life is knowing God...John 17:3. Do you believe God can be known in the here and now?

 

[Nufan]

Eternal life is knowing God...John 17:3. Do you believe God can be known in the here and now?

Its non of my business if im saved. Being a follower of christ in the hear and now really doesnt have much to do with being convinced of my own salvation. Thats for god to deal with. What you should be more concerned with is if your still running the race towards salvation.

 

[Eli1]

Im not saved until I stand before the judge and im pardoned. Weather im saved or not is not my business. God is righteous and I know his decision is whats best.

I like this and i like the fact that you're tired with religions. Believe me, i understand you more than you know.
But in the end we have names and words in the vocabulary to understand things.

A Christian is a follower of Jesus at its foundation. Stick with that while dropping some religious dogma from all groups.
Also, all the Christian groups are not 100% bad, there's a lot of good in all of them.
Use some discernment too my friend.

 

[Nufan]

Eternal life is knowing God...John 17:3. Do you believe God can be known in the here and now?

My faith is in gods righteousness and sovereignty, not my belief in my own salvation. If you trust god, and believe that god will complete a good work he has begun in you, then you would not be concerned with your own salvation.

 

[Nufan]

I like this and i like the fact that you're tired with religions. Believe me, i understand you more than you know.
But in the end we have names and words in the vocabulary to understand things.

A Christian is a follower of Jesus at its foundation. Stick with that while dropping some religious dogma from all groups.
Also, all the Christian groups are not 100% bad, there's a lot of good in all of them.
Use some discernment too my friend.

I agree 100%. Thank you

 

[Cameron143]

Its non of my business if im saved. Being a follower of christ in the hear and now really doesnt have much to do with being convinced of my own salvation. Thats for god to deal with. What you should be more concerned with is if your still running the race towards salvation.

Why would I run for something I already possess? I'm at rest. I'd like you to know that same rest.
I have a commission of God to share this good news. If I saw someone walking precariously close to the edge of a cliff I would warn him. I would probably even put myself at risk to help that person. God is near to you right now. He may not always be. I would like to introduce you to Him in a way you have yet to experience. But that's up to you.

 

[Nufan]

I like this and i like the fact that you're tired with religions. Believe me, i understand you more than you know.
But in the end we have names and words in the vocabulary to understand things.

A Christian is a follower of Jesus at its foundation. Stick with that while dropping some religious dogma from all groups.
Also, all the Christian groups are not 100% bad, there's a lot of good in all of them.
Use some discernment too my friend.

Are you Eastern Orthodox?

 

[Eli1]

Are you Eastern Orthidox?

Yes, i am. That's where i got my original teachings.
Besides that, a monk from Mount Athos in Greece was my spiritual father when i was a 15 year old kid. He baptized me at the local church and taught me the Bible for 2 years.

 

[Cameron143]

My faith is in gods righteousness and sovereignty, not my belief in my own salvation. If you trust god, and believe that god will complete a good work he has begun in you, then you would not be concerned with your own salvation.

Did you know that the Bible was written so you could know that you are saved?

 

[Nufan]

Yes, i am. That's where i got my original teachings.
Besides that, a monk from Mount Athos in Greece was my spiritual father when i was a 15 year old kid. He baptized me at the local church and taught me the Bible for 2 years.

Always loved their mystical tradition and teaching on theosis. I believe Eastern orthidox comes closest to traveling the narrow path.

 

[Nufan]

Did you know that the Bible was written so you could know that you are saved?

Why are you so concerned? Do you still question your own salvation? What if I told you that this isn't up to you. That you can't be saved unless god makes a way for you to be saved. You knowing weather your saved or not makes no difference in the end.