Posted on 06/17/2017 11:44:41 AM PDT by ealgeone
Question: "What is a true Christian?"
Answer: According to Acts 11:26, the followers of Jesus were first called Christians at Antioch. Why were they called Christians? Because they were “followers of Christ.” They had committed their lives to “walk as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6).
Other Scriptures explain how a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ and begins this relationship. For example, Ephesians 2:8-9 reveals that a person becomes a Christian by faith, not by following a list of rules or good works: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” A true Christian has faith in Jesus as the Savior.
Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” A true Christian is unashamed to say Jesus is Lord and believes Jesus was resurrected from the dead.
First Corinthians 15:3 says this message of the resurrected Jesus is of “first importance.” Without Jesus’ resurrection our faith is “futile,” and we are “still in [our] sins” (v. 7). A true Christian lives by faith in the resurrected Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:13-14).
Paul writes, "If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. . . . The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children" (Romans 8:9, 16). A true Christian has God’s Holy Spirit living within.
The evidence of a true Christian is displayed in both faith and action. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). James says, “I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Jesus put it this way: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). A true Christian will show his faith by how he lives.
Despite the wide variety of beliefs that fall under the general “Christian” label today, the Bible defines a true Christian as one who has personally received Jesus Christ as Savior, who trusts in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness of sins, who has the Holy Spirit residing within, and whose life evinces change consistent with faith in Jesus.
You are essentially casting off Assurance
What I go by is 1 John 4:20 “If anyone says I love God yet hates his brother, he is a liar.” How much more hateful can a person be than to approve or support or engage in the murdering an unborn baby?
To be a Christ follower...
“Anyone who wishes to be my disciple must deny himself, pick up his cross and follow me.”
To be saved from sin, faith alone and this by grace and not of ourselves but is a gift from God so that nobody can boast
Where does it say that in the Bible?
1 John 4:20 “If anyone says I love God yet hates his brother, he is a liar.”
I believe myself to have Jesus Christ and that my works are evidence of my faith. I also know the Word of God gives prophetic testimony of those who are surprised in the end that they are not saved.
Men’s words betray their hearts, I have heard words come out of some who proclaim to belong to Jesus that should not come out anyone’s mouth who belongs to Jesus.
We know the aspostles John and Paul have Christ because of their words and deeds, but their words and deeds did not save them. Their words and deeds were a reflection of what they had in them, Jesus Christ, by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit the downpayment of salvation.
Saved by the grace of God through faith.
I wonder how many will be surprised when their words and deeds are revealed before the judgement seat of Christ. And how many ‘s words and deeds are because of political correctness (left and right) trying to appear tough and self dependant.
1 Cor 4: 6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. 7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
The next 6 verses are very enlightening on how much the apostles depended totally on Christ. We know they were saved, we can only guess on anyone else, though their words and deeds do give the appearance of evidence of salvation.
I live in assurance by faith and know pride is a killer, in other words evidence of a goat....pride, lack of Christlike love.
though their words and deeds may do give the appearance of evidence of salvation
is it caused by hate? Probably sometimes. Other times it is narcsim or ignorance.
He is the good Shepherd and his sheep hear his voice .... more evidence of salvation. ..his voice reflective of his written Word.
Not a problem ifinnegan, it made me think and drew a response out of me. Peace.
I am just quoting prophetic scripture. Matt 25 is Jesus giving prophecy not a parable. The goats call Jesus Lord, but they are probably troubled all their lives not having assurance. On the outside bold talk, on the inside fear and anger.
“Were they all Christians since Christ chose them?”
All are chosen, but not all accept the challenge for outside the gates are the dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie, Rev 22:15
Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost
2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord delayeth not his promise, as some imagine, but dealeth patiently for your sake, not willing that any should perish, but that all should return to penance.
Not sure what point you are trying to make, but being chosen doesn’t equate to salvation. This is the exact point that Jesus tried to make to the Jewish Pharisees, Sadducee’s, and Scribes at the time.
So much of the rest is sectarianism within Christian denominations and sects.
Paul also lamented that he found himself doing things he knew he shouldn't do; and not doing things he knew he should do.
Anyone believe he didn't have the spirit of Christ in him?
“Anyone believe he didn’t have the spirit of Christ in him?”
A philosopher might answer:
No, Paul likely did have the spirit of Christ in him, but may not have always listened to it.
Actually, you rendered an opinion based on Scripture.
A person can be assured of Heaven and still not go. Their belief doesn’t count.
Like the rest of us saved Christians.
Okay, that makes him a liar. We are all liars/sinners (Rom 3:23 “For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God”) The issue of abortion has nothing to do with salvation. The ONLY criteria for salvation is belief in Jesus Christ.
Rom. 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the (free) gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”
John 3:16 (The verse I was saved on) “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will NOT perish, but will have eternal life.”
John 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe[b] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
Acts 16:30-31 “He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved...”
Ephesians 2:8&9 “For by grace are you save through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the (free) gift of God, not by works so that no one can boast.”
I love reading the articles on that site.
Lots of good stuff there for sure.
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