What is a True Christian?

And athiests never argue?All this deviation is exactly what thiests want. We were warned of it.I stick to my statement, religion is from man, not God.
There is the Chirch of man, and the Church of Christ.
There are very few True Christians indeed.edit, meant to say athiests.This message has been edited by riVeRraT, 05-26-2004 08:33 AM

< opens up his Bible and reveals the Truth.I believe you took things out of context completely there.
Jesus was speaking of Prophets, not Christians.A Tree and Its Fruit15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21"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. 22Many 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?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'This only further re-inforces what I am trying to say, and yes indeed does show that the statement at the bottom of message 46 is not from Christian like thinking. He will be judged by that.See message 73.

More pointless points. lol.
Just read the Bible to find out what a true Christian is.You know I guess the real thing is, that a real Christian should never try to judge if someone else is Christian. Only oneself.Sorry, I meant to say athiests. Yes they do argue, just not about God, because they don't believe in him.I do not owe anything to main stream churches other than the fact that they kept me away from God for many years. I had to find God on my own, because I could not stand the likes of Jerry falwell, the catholic church and company.
It is only now that I found a church that I like, and it is because of the people there, not any set of beliefs. Still I watch very closely.Believing in God is a freedom, and sets you free.

I corrected myself. I was told second hand of this experience, so I am not really sure if they thought it was God or not.
It was a wierd story, but came from a pretty credible person IMO. He saw someone who was filled, and asked God if it was true, and God put the thought in his head that it wasn't from God.
This is where I got this idea from.The moral of that point is to be careful, and always check in with God.
He does answer all prayers, and protects you from evil, after all.I can only really speak for myself.

I don't know about that one really. It was written that Jesus said the only way to the father is through him.
Maybe at the pearly Gates you'll get a second chance based on who you were in life, I don't know. Thats up to God.But I agree with you in the fact that there are many a great athiests, who are genuinly nice people, and deserve to "go to heaven". All my closest friends are, and I Love them, no matter what they choose to believe in.

No you can't. Here is why.
Prophets are judged soley on the accuracy of thier prophecy. Thats why any prophet who bears "bad fruit" is not really a prophet. This is what he was talking about.Also, we are all sinners, wait let me correct that by saying, we are born into sin, and it dwells within us. We don't have a choice about that. The only one who was pure was Jesus. He said that if we even think about sinning, that we then commited the sin, thereby making it impossible for us to be sin free. Only he could do that.
So if a Christian were a tree, he would always bear a bad fruit, then making the way you extrapolated that scripture, impossible.
That is why it only pertains to prophets.The importance of knowing if a prophet is true or not, is evedent.

Was that what it was for you?
You don't talk like someone who has had the truth revealed to himself.

MMM, the revealed truth. Ok, I agree, but I have talked to many people who feel exactly the way I do about it.But your right, it is a personal thing.If I was to point to the bible to explain to you what a true christian is, we would find out that it is between God and oneself. Not for us to judge.Alot could be said about the word "true" in true christian. By definition, it is someone who believes in Jesus, and accepts him as a savior of our sins.IMO "true" christians are just as screwd up as the rest of the world, they just accept Jesus. The amount of good you do, or Love you show is irrelevant to whether you are a true christian or not. Trying to be christ-like doesn't make you any more a true christian, it only builds up your treasures in heaven.This pretty much sums it up:John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[1] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.Look at the words "not perish". That scares me.
So believing in him, makes you christian, and gives you eternal life.About judgement and truth:Romans 2God's Righteous Judgment1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
2Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.
3So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?
4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.
6God "will give to each person according to what he has done."[1]
7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;
10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
11For God does not show favoritism.
12All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.
13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.
14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law,
15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)
16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.This is the truth I speak of.
It also explains judgement, which has nothing to do with being a true christian or not.I Love the part about the law (truth) being written on your heart.
This is why when we do good things for people, we feel good inside about it. When we give ourselves to God, this law becomes a greater feeling, and then the truth is revealed in a such a powerful way, that it no longer is just a word describing whether something is true or false. It becomes a feeling within, a core feeling of our very existance. The truth is shown to us, and then we are one with God. We can also then be able to see untruths. Everything becomes very clear. People can no longer lie to you, because you will be able to tell, because the Holy Spirit is then guiding you.
The Holy Spirit is truth.
Then you are free.It is to me, incredible.This message has been edited by riVeRraT, 05-26-2004 10:04 AM

Main Entry: satanism
Pronunciation: 'sA-t&n-"i-z&m
Function: noun
Usage: often capitalized
1 : innate wickedness : DIABOLISM
2 : obsession with or affinity for evil; specifically : the worship of Satan marked by the travesty of Christian ritesJust thought I'd point that out to you, for your benifit.

The definition was websters online definition, not mine.
If people choose to use the word incorrectly to define thier religious beliefs whether they believe in Satan or not, is up to them.As far as your second quote, and having a little to do with the first one. "If you do not worship God, then you worship Satan", this is not true, as many people throughout history have worshiped false Gods.
Anytime you make up your own religion, that is not of God of the Bible, you are worshiping a false God. This is different than worshiping the devil.Just because there is only 2 supernatural forces in the world, doesn't mean that you cannot worship yourself, and the rules you make up for yourself.Worshiping is a consious decision and not limited to only 2 beings.

Awesome point!But, verse 6:43-44 is pertaining to Matthew 7:16,18,20.
Verse 6:45 is pertaing to how you, youself should act.
Which also relates to Matthew 7:21-23.Which goes along with what I am saying. To be a Christian, you must believe in Christ and accept him as your savior.
But this doesn't mean you won't be judged by how you perform the will of the Father.I am really starting to dislike the expression "true Christian" as it could have too many meanings, one of them being contradictory.What is really meant by that expression?
Then we could discuss it better.

I agree completely with you about Christians in general. But limiting it to only Christians is wrong on your part, it is universal that about 80% of all people don't really understand what it is they are into. But they will be judged based on who and what they are, something we couldn't understand. I guess you never seen 2 athiests in a bar fight, and then pulled out knives on each other?Oh and religion is run by, and created by the guidance of man. This is your opinion.I find nothing wrong with Genesis. Almost but not quite. I was raised a Christian, but from a very young age decided after reading the Bible that the catholic church was not in the word of God. I was then liberated by being free of that churches beliefs.Where did those beliefs come from? thats right man.I still studied the Bible, but for 25 years I remained without believing in God. I gave my heart to Jesus 5 years ago, but didn't feel anything until very recently. My life is fine, I am a very sucessful business man with 5 lovely children. I own a home, and I am debt free, cept for the mortgage. I have all the toys I could want. Why would I need God?As far as my church goes, I Love the people in it. They have encouraged me to become a leader. I co-run the worship team (music) and I have my own small ministry group. All this in 4 months of being there. We are talking about a church with over 400 members.
The elders rock! My pastor road his Harley into Church while we played Born to Wild.
The second pastor and his wife are pastoring for free, because there isn't enough money to pay them.
I give to the church, because of my faith in God, and it has only brought me all the blessings.Of course I realize that in a heartbeat this could all change, because it is still man. I have decided that when this happens not to blame God for it.Hopefully you could see where I am coming from a little bit.
I don't have a problem telling you.

Has the world got you so confused that you think this would be an OK thing to join?I am not in error and neither is webster.Wow dude...
I actually don't know what to say.

Awesome stuff man!Would you agree that alot of "religions" today could be considered false prophets, and only help satan in his quest?After all, when people wake up and realize that the church they belong too is wrong(or bearing bad fruit), aren't they more likely to be mad at all religions, and then possibly God?No one said finding God was easy.
Then my experience is that once you find him, life gets harder in some ways.

Interesting, are you Christian?