What does it mean to be a Christian?

Started by Sarah, September 27, 2008, 06:29:14 AM

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Sarah

What do you think defines a true Christian?  Do you think it's a person doing good works?  Perhaps one that never misses church?  Or maybe one that belongs to a specific church?  Do you think that most good people will go to heaven?  Or maybe those that obey the 10 commandments?

pam

I'll break the ice lol, I think bein a Christian has nothin to do with which church or even if you GO to church. Bein a Christian is a way of life, it's the Whatever you do for the least of these you do for Me thing.
Being Irish, he had an abiding sense of tragedy, which sustained him through temporary periods of joy.
William Butler Yeats

srkruzich

First of all, being christian has nothing to do with being good, or doing good things, or living a good life.  All those things are chaff.
Being christian is first coming to the realization that nothing we do is good enough to save us and accepting christ as savior by grace through faith and accepting his gift.
Once you have done that, you are a christian.  Now to be a good christian you want to do as Christ asked us to do.  But doing good works and good things is still chaff if it is done by our own efforts.  The only good works that will be accepted by him as a christian is those tht he preforms through us.  Now remember salvation isn't contingent upon works.  The works are a direct result of Salvation and our desire to serve him. 

Hope that helps
:)
Curb your politician.  We have leash laws you know.

Catwoman

I am not certain that I am educated enough to speak on this subject...and my religion is an intensely private thing with me.  I only know that I live every day as a Christian, trying to not only live through His example but put forward His grace through my example.  I don't try to push off my beliefs on anyone...rather, through my efforts, I try to bring people closer to Him through my daily life.  And, I don't happen to believe that my way is the only way.  There are many paths that all lead back to the One.  That, after all, is the true meaning of monotheism...there is only one God.  To quote a much better woman than myself...how you choose to believe in him is rather like how you go to the bathroom...it is entirely your own business.

Lookatmeknow!!

I am with you on that one Catwomen.  I believe being a christian is believing and excepting that you are a sinner, you then ask good for his forgiveness and you accept him and ask him to come into your life.  You then start your journey walking with the Lord.  You were put on this earth by the Lord Jesus, and he has a plan for you.  Your walking and talking with the Lord, is the journey that you take in working on the plan that the Lord has for you. 

I am not sure that describing what a Christian is an easy task.  Each person takes the religion to a different leave.  I think that we can all argree that you have to except the Lord Jesus in your life and confess that you are a sinner.
Love everyday like it's your last on earth!!

pam

QuoteI don't happen to believe that my way is the only way.  There are many paths that all lead back to the One.


Truer words were never spoke :)
Being Irish, he had an abiding sense of tragedy, which sustained him through temporary periods of joy.
William Butler Yeats

Judy Harder


Sarah,

I think you are wanting a simple answer and this is the best I can do you. I had to look for an answer that may help you and me, with the Question.
For each of us it has a different meaning/feeling.
I personally believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for me (and you) .
I try to live as He lived and it just can't be done..........all I need do is wake up in morning and I start the day with a negative thought and that becomes my day............BUT, with HIM, I know I am forgiven and that He will be here/there for me and that someday I will meet HIM in Heaven.............
I think that is a GOOD THING.!!
I hope this helps...I know I am going back and read more about this........I have just accepted that I am a Christian and am trying to GROW in Him.
With Gods grace I (and you) will be ok!.
God bless
Judy

Which definition is correct?
This question assumes that there is one and only one correct definition of the term "Christian." However, depending upon your understanding of the nature of truth, all of the above definitions may be "true":

To conservative Protestants, a Christian is often defined according to their salvation status. Their definition is "true" to them, because it agrees with some of their foundational beliefs: that the Bible is inerrant, that salvation is by grace, and that one must be "born-again" to be saved and avoid eternal punishment in Hell.
To Roman Catholics, a Christian is often defined according to their baptism status. Their definition is "true" to them, because it agrees with their fundamental beliefs, including their understanding of the Bible, the declarations of many Church Councils, the statements of many popes, and their church's tradition.
To many in the very early Christian movement, a Christian was defined as a person who was baptized and proclaimed "Jesus is Lord." Their definition was "true" to them because it agreed with their understanding of their religious belief at a time when the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) had not yet been written and assembled.
And so on, with the remaining definitions.

Each group has their own definition of "Christian" which agrees with their own beliefs about the nature of Jesus, God, church tradition, written text, evolved theology, the cultures in which they are implanted, etc. There appears to be no way to compromise on a single definition that is acceptable to all. One apparently cannot call on a higher power to resolve the problem, because there seems to be no way to assess the will of God on such matters. If there were such a method, then different definitions would have been harmonized centuries ago. People would simply have prayed to God and asked Him to define what a Christian is. Then, a consensus would exist today on the true meaning of the word "Christian."

There is no consensus on what the "correct" definition of "Christian" is. There is only a near consensus within individual faith groups. Therefore questions like "Are you a Christian?" or "How many Christians are there in the U.S." are only meaningful:

Within a single denomination, or among a group of similarly-minded denominations.
In a public opinion poll where the definition of "Christian" is clearly stated.



The definition used on this web site:
We accept as Christian any individual or group who devoutly, thoughtfully, seriously, and prayerfully regards themselves to be Christian. Included are members of: the Roman Catholic church; the Eastern Orthodox churches, conservative, mainline, and liberal Christian faith groups; The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons); Jehovah's Witnesses, Unification Church, Christian Science, and a thousand or so other religious organizations that identify themselves as Christian. Also included are those who consider themselves to be Christian even though they do not identify themselves with any particular religious group.

We realize that we are defining Christians in terms of being Christian. As one person Emailed us, that is like defining a parrot as "something that has the characteristics of a parrot." But since there is no consensus on the definition of "Christian," there is no other choice. On the other hand, there is a general agreement about what a parrot -- or mountain, or car, or computer -- are.



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Latest update: 2008-FEB-25
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littlelamb

to be a christian you need to accept Jesus as your personel saviour belive that he is the son of God and that he died on the cross for our sins and rose again. and as christians we die to our selfs and become more like christ this is an on going task and at times harder then others . We can live as Christ did when you read about the life of  Christ its all about thinking about the other persone and put ourselfs last. It is  a wunderful thing to be a Christine just to have Gods peace daily what a wunderful fullfilling thing to have.
I hope i have answerd your question and my prayer for you is that you will come to know God on a personel level .

mary

Bonnie M.

"to be a christian you need to accept Jesus as your personel saviour belive that he is the son of God and that he died on the cross for our sins and rose again. and as christians we die to our selfs and become more like christ this is an on going task and at times harder then others ."

I totally agree with your statement, Mary.  We all fall short, we are all sinners, but we acknowledge Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and live our daily lives to please Him.
Bonnie

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