Who Is A Christian?
James chapter 2 tells us we can not trust what people say when they call themselve a Christian. We need to look at their actions--as is commonly known, actions speak louder than words.
James 2:12 - "Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions?"
What type of actions should we see in a Christian? Galatians 5:19-23 (NLT) we find the answer to this question. Paul is writing:
[nonChristian] "When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone isb wrong exzcept those in your own little group, envy, drunkeness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God."
[Christian] "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
These, of course, are the ideals. Christians are still sinners. Paul tells us in Galatians 5:17 about the our desire to follow the Holy Spirit and the desire that comes from our sinful nature, "These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict."
Yes, Christians do wrong sometimes. And there are people who do many good things--although they don't claim to be Christian. However, when someone in history, or even someone you meet today, claims to be a Christian, look at their life to see whether that statement is mostly likely true or false. This applies to Popes, peasants, saints, prophets and everyone else--including Jesus.
James 2:12 - "Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions?"
What type of actions should we see in a Christian? Galatians 5:19-23 (NLT) we find the answer to this question. Paul is writing:
[nonChristian] "When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone isb wrong exzcept those in your own little group, envy, drunkeness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God."
[Christian] "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
These, of course, are the ideals. Christians are still sinners. Paul tells us in Galatians 5:17 about the our desire to follow the Holy Spirit and the desire that comes from our sinful nature, "These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict."
Yes, Christians do wrong sometimes. And there are people who do many good things--although they don't claim to be Christian. However, when someone in history, or even someone you meet today, claims to be a Christian, look at their life to see whether that statement is mostly likely true or false. This applies to Popes, peasants, saints, prophets and everyone else--including Jesus.
posted by BrickBalloon
Read This Post In Our: Christianity in America Blog Archive
1 Comments:
Been doing a bit of research -- that bible you're so caught up in is fraught with contradiction.
Did you know? Do you care?
Anyway, in a lot of cases it says pretty much what you want it to say, as long as you pick the bits that agree with your message.
Not that I think that will give you pause for thought, but seeing as you're waxing lyrical with the quotes I thought it would be appropriate to mention.
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