Are you a Christian ?

[rizen1]

Matthew 15:8 This people honoreth me with their lips; But their heart is far from me


You meet people along the way in your walk with Christ, some fruitful others fruitless.
They drive around with their bumper stickers, "got Jesus" t-shirts, wear crosses, these people are not ashame of the being a Christian.

Those are great ways to make a stand for what you believe in, but God is not looking at that. Yes
Society can put you in the "Conservative " category, but when God looks in your heart what will he find.

Jealously, anger, malice, lust, covertness, unforgiveness, depression and the list goes on.

These stickers are only recognizable by man.
God is looking for disciples, he wants followers, he wants people to walk with him, people who are willing to put down tradition and step outside the box for him.

There must be a change in your heart, sincerity in your worship. Everything we do should be for the glory of God, to give him credit.

When we stop being "Christian" and start being a Christ Follower we will bear fruit.
We will no longer need a t-shirt or sticker to be recognized.

Love will rain in our hearts, peace would be planted in our steps, our mouths will breathe life unto others. No more idle talk. I'm guilty of idle talk (NO More ). I want to be a Follower of Christ.

If you need that t-shirt for friends and family to know you're a follower of Christ, my advice take it off, look in the mirror and examine your reflection.

Then look at the t-shirtView attachment 156

Now ask yourself, do you really have him ?

watch this
http://www.talkjesus.com/streaming-video/17727-christian-christ-follower.html

 

[Antwan]

Dont claim to be something you are not, practice what you preach! Just my thoughts on being a christian.. I am far from perfect!

 

[Maureen]

The distance to perfection is the distance from earth to heaven.

We wont be perfect till we get there,
can't come soon enough, for me anyway.

 

[pebosworth]

Doesn't it bother you that the world is filled with Christians? Everywhere I turn I run into someone who professes to be Christian. Yet it's obvious their hearts are far away from Jesus. You see the Bible says otherwise, there won't be many entering the kingdom of God and many who think they will, will be in for a shock on judgment day when God says: "depart from me, I never knew you".

Luke 13:24 "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to."

Matthew 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers'."

It certainly makes me wonder about all the churches filled with all these professing Christians, but are they really Christian? We need to stop believing everyone who says they are Christian otherwise we open ourselves up to be deceived. The Bible tells us that by their fruits we will recognize them (Matthew 7:20) but we should rather rely on the Holy Spirit for our teaching and instruction rather than on man.

 

[rizen1]

We need to stop believing everyone who says they are Christian otherwise we open ourselves up to be deceived. The Bible tells us that by their fruits we will recognize them (Matthew 7:20) but we should rather rely on the Holy Spirit for our teaching and instruction rather than on man.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:20

Amen
Amen...by their fruits
We have alot of wolves in sheep clothing giving out gospel tracts and passing out the collection plate.

 

[Maureen]

oh sure do.

When in England visiting in laws, I came across a few,
I'm not saying now, that there's none here in my country,
not at all, but I have met some very sincere one's here too
while just sitting in a cafe, and overhearing the name of
God, course I had to say hello, I just love the sound
of someone mentioning Jesus or God, makes my ears prick up.

well in England, anyway, this woman came in to mum in laws
they all said she's a great Christian woman, so I went along
to church with her, it wasn't her church, but another few
friends she knew, it was good the gospel was preached
and truly preached.

Then later back at the house she came out with curse words,
then she started saying she was going to the Bingo in the
church hall (differant church) well I was a bit dumbfounded.

I never got to have a good talk with her about it, as she never
came back before we left, but I did leave with her a good
gospel written book, so I just pray it enlightened her.

She did a lot of good work for alcoholics, but after I thought
about it, it probably is 'good works' that she considers her
Christianity through and not Jesus shed blood on Calvery's cross.

My husband really thought he was born a Christian, he was
brought up to think that when you get Christianed as a baby
that immediatly makes you a Christian, he knows better now,
praise God, but that is the belief of many too.

I think baby Christianings are a stumbling block for many people,
it's a Tradition, not scriptural at all.

 

[pebosworth]

Do you know what the worst is? Most of these professing Christians don't even know that they are not saved. And you want to know why? They weren't told the full gospel. They never got to tremble before a Holy God, they dont' know the fear of the Lord, and therefore they never truly repented.

Visit The Way of the Master and try to download HBKS (Hells Best Kept Secret).

 

[OpenMyHeart]

Well all my life, I never really had a religion to follow. What would I be labeled as in god's eyes? I have found Jesus now, and that is great.. but it's hard to know where you are not sure where you actually stand, and thats me at the moment. I don't think calling myself a Christian would be totally appropriate for me. It wouldn't feel right.

If anyone could help, this would help me out greatly. It's all very confusing.

 

[paganmystic]

wow, wow ... excellent I finally found more who understand that Christianity is not what you believe but how you live

Real Christians as i live and breathe, this post and it replys are truly wonderful.

included in my prayers tonight will include thanks giving for finding a family in Christ. Finally more sheep sent out among the wolves to regather our Lord's flock.
"Always remember the way we are from the time we open our eyes to the time we close them, determains whether or not we are Christians ... NOT where we go on sunday". God Bless you all

 

[pebosworth]

Well all my life, I never really had a religion to follow. What would I be labeled as in god's eyes? I have found Jesus now, and that is great.. but it's hard to know where you are not sure where you actually stand, and thats me at the moment. I don't think calling myself a Christian would be totally appropriate for me. It wouldn't feel right.

If anyone could help, this would help me out greatly. It's all very confusing.

The modern way is to tell people not to question their salvation, but the Bible tells us otherwise. It's better now than on judgment day.

Go have a look at a thread I posted called "Are you a good person" (http://www.talkjesus.com/get-saved-now/17739-you-good-person.html) and go through the test. By the end you will have a better understanding of what salvation is.

Christianity isn't a religion, it is a way of life. New Christians are at such risk because Satan is out to destroy them, turn them away from God and deceive them. Stay strong in the Lord, withstand it and you will be rewarded.

Feel free to PM or email me to chat about anything anytime. God Bless!

 

[OpenMyHeart]

Thank you, I am going to check that link out

 

[rizen1]

I just want to say, how happy I am to get such a healthy response.

OpenmyHeart

Well all my life, I never really had a religion to follow

Well you're lucky in some way, because religion and man's traditions have confused me many times, trying to take me away from him. Putting Prideless and Cultic doctrines to govern how I worship.

He's looking at your heart, what you did on earth. Pastor cant help us, you're traditions can help us.

Our focus should always be "Relationship ". When we start this relationship we open up our hearts and ears to hear from God. With Discernment we know which Body of Christ to worship with on Sundays. Bible study is very important, because we have churches that like to twist the word to support what they called "bible based " but if you listen and watch you'll see Cult like behaviour.

Way of the Master is good, Pebosworth .

Openmyheart, I love you in Christ I trust God that his will would be done in your life and that his truth would be planted in your heart.

Maureen thanks for sharing that story, we will keep her in prayer.
Paganmystic thanks for the addition.

God bless you all.
Please check out the vid that goes with the message.

http://www.talkjesus.com/streaming-video/17727-christian-christ-follower.html

 

[ByJesus45]

The distance to perfection is the distance from earth to heaven.

We wont be perfect till we get there,
can't come soon enough, for me anyway.

I am agree with this .....

Hello Rizen1...You are not quite right. I am Poor in english to say what I want. Every christian is saved...There are not christians who are not saved....It is false to think there are not saved christians.
Yes there are some who say they are....But they dont believe in the Gospel...But they are not liars...Simply they want to say that they believe that there is God and Jesus is His Son....But they dont believe what Jesus says.....They simple want to say that there are not atheists...But believe that there is supernatural world and so on...Some say they are christian of meaning that they are accepters of christian culture and so on....
Even some atheists say they are christian in this meaning....
I think you are young that is why you think so.
And to say Jesus is Lord doesnt mean to believe He is...
So all men good or bad with faith are saved..Pleas read the New Testament again... You dont know many things...Dont be fooled by Devil..God bless you in the Jesus name...Amen

 

[pebosworth]

I am agree with this .....

Hello Rizen1...You are not quite right. I am Poor in english to say what I want. Every christian is saved...There are not christians who are not saved....It is false to think there are not saved christians.
Yes there are some who say they are....But they dont believe in the Gospel...But they are not liars...Simply they want to say that they believe that there is God and Jesus is His Son....But they dont believe what Jesus says.....They simple want to say that there are not atheists...But believe that there is supernatural world and so on...Some say they are christian of meaning that they are accepters of christian culture and so on....
Even some atheists say they are christian in this meaning....
I think you are young that is why you think so.
And to say Jesus is Lord doesnt mean to believe He is...
So all men good or bad with faith are saved..Pleas read the New Testament again... You dont know many things...Dont be fooled by Devil..God bless you in the Jesus name...Amen

I'm not sure what you are trying to say, so forgive me if I am wrong. Are you implying that everyone who says they are Christian is saved? Or that there is more than one way to Heaven?

 

[rizen1]

ByJesus45

I understand you're english very well, with any misunderstanding feel free to correct me.

Pebo what I I think his main point was

Yes there are some who say they are.......but they dont believe what Jesus says

Anyone can say hey I'm Christian and follow the pattern or culture of Christianity, but a true believe
or follower of Jesus would Obey his commands.
Jesus called us to change, to turn around our lives when we accept him.

Brother ByJesus45
Please provide scripture so we can understand.

God bless

 

[pebosworth]

ByJesus45

Pebo what I I think his main point was


Anyone can say hey I'm Christian and follow the pattern or culture of Christianity, but a true believe
or follower of Jesus would Obey his commands.
Jesus called us to change, to turn around our lives when we accept him.

What was unclear to me is this:

Every christian is saved...There are not christians who are not saved....It is false to think there are not saved christians.

I am aware though, that I am probably the one who is misunderstanding.

 

[rizen1]

I think our brother can clear this up for us...I might have some mis communication myself.

God bless you Pebosworth, again thanks for your fruitful addition.

 

[paganmystic]

wow .. we are having some fun now ... lol
sorry didn't want to make light of whats been coming up with this post, communication is so terribly important in matters of faith. I have a serious reading problem and maybe thats why i can see implied breaks in a train of thought. but it sounded to me was what we had been discussing ... the differance between what I call a true Christian(who, by lifestyle reaffirms in all around them that they are with our Lord & Saviour) are saved peroid but those that only claim to be Christian are not ,... where there appears to be a problem is the distinction between those that truly believe and those that don't, and he doen't acknowledge the ones only claiming to be Christian, but in North America thats unfortunately the rule not the exception ... Risen is right only our brother in Christ can truly clear the air >>> may the Lord keep you all well ... agape

 

[rizen1]

Quick note this thread has nothing to do with calvinist.

Its not a question " who salvation is for "

Please watch this video for a better understanding of where I'm coming from.

http://www.talkjesus.com/streaming-video/17727-christian-christ-follower.html

 

[ByJesus45]

I will try to say the same thing with differnet way.
There are some who proclaim that they are christian but they dont believe to the Gospel of Jesus.They are not saved.But many of them are not liars.
Simply they want to say that they believe that there is God .....They simple want to say that they are not atheists...Some say they are christian of meaning that they are accepters of christian culture and so on. Such men are not saved....But who realy believe Gospel of Jesus He is saved notwithstanding they are seemed good or bad , have good lifestyle or not...God sees their hearts. "Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,"...Read Romans and Galatians...
Romans 3:22 "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
Romans 3:28 "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law."
Only they who do sin=Trespass the commands of God by free will and protect their sins and dont repent it they are not saved and not christian.
We can NOT tell who is who by lifestyle. Even saved christians can do wrong things becasue many of them fooled by lies of Devil...
But they are saved...
Be well