I have considered myself a Christian for a very long time, but as someone who struggles with being analytical, mental illness issues, etc...i have to ask what exactly is being a Christian? Abiding by His word, is being a Christian putting yourself in a mental state to be a Christian? What do you think being a Christian exactly is?
What is being a Christian?
- Thread starter Ernie
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Ziggy
Well-Known Member
Ziggy
Well-Known Member
ScottA
Well-Known Member
Hi Ernie,
Christians are followers of Christ. But to understand just what that includes, Jesus explained it in the Parable of The Sower. Many who begin to follow, fall away and stop following for one reason or another. So, that means that to be a Christian does not mean one is Saved. It just means they are seeking, and like what they are hear, at least at first. Then, in time, we all gravitate to where we really would rather be, some falling away never to be saved, but to decidedly confirm what was really at their core. Others, who were just as horrible at their core, turn rather into Christ all the more, having found themselves--who they really desire to be--in Christ, in God...and believing, they are saved as a result. All of which is God "dividing the light from the darkness", where each in our own day and time experience, "the evening and the morning" (evening or darkness first, and then the dawn of the morning) according to the model revealed in the creation story--which is not just a story, but God at work in the lives of every person born into this world.
Such a beautiful thing--praise God!
Christians are followers of Christ. But to understand just what that includes, Jesus explained it in the Parable of The Sower. Many who begin to follow, fall away and stop following for one reason or another. So, that means that to be a Christian does not mean one is Saved. It just means they are seeking, and like what they are hear, at least at first. Then, in time, we all gravitate to where we really would rather be, some falling away never to be saved, but to decidedly confirm what was really at their core. Others, who were just as horrible at their core, turn rather into Christ all the more, having found themselves--who they really desire to be--in Christ, in God...and believing, they are saved as a result. All of which is God "dividing the light from the darkness", where each in our own day and time experience, "the evening and the morning" (evening or darkness first, and then the dawn of the morning) according to the model revealed in the creation story--which is not just a story, but God at work in the lives of every person born into this world.
Such a beautiful thing--praise God!
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Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus told people before the pressure came, difficult is the way which leads to life, not because God enjoys making life hard, not because every hard circumstance proves someone is faithful, not because Christians should go looking for suffering to validate themselves, because the way of life runs against sin, self-rule, false worship and a world that calls the broad road kindness as long as no one mentions the destination. Acts 14:22, we must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God, they did not preach tribulation as the price that buys the Kingdom, they preached endurance as the path of people whose King had already told them the road would be pressed.
Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus is not teaching that sinners save themselves by dropping enough baggage at the door, the gospel is not moral fitness squeezed through a small entrance. Salvation is God’s grace received by faith, because of what Christ has done, not wages earned by religious effort. But the grace that receives sinners does not make peace with rebellion. The Christ who forgives also calls. The savior who also welcomes commands. The spirit who comforts also sanctifies. In language Christians across traditions can recognize, genuine faith bears fruit, the narrow gate does not mean God is reluctant to save, it means the entrance to life is not wide enough for a divided allegiance.
Now the traveler gets through the gate and expects open ground, but Jesus says something more, Matthew 7:14, difficult is the way which leads to life. The Greek word for “way” is hodos, a road or path, but the word translated “difficult” is the one that surprises people. Matthew uses a form connected to the Greek verb tethlimmene, which means to press, squeeze, crowd, afflict or constrict, the road is not merely unpopular, it is pressed in. The picture changes, this is no longer only a tight doorway, it is a road that keeps narrowing around the traveler. Consider a path cut between rock walls after the sun has dropped low, the entrance is behind you now, but the road has not become spacious.
Now the traveler gets through the gate and expects open ground, but Jesus says something more, Matthew 7:14, difficult is the way which leads to life. The Greek word for “way” is hodos, a road or path, but the word translated “difficult” is the one that surprises people. Matthew uses a form connected to the Greek verb tethlimmene, which means to press, squeeze, crowd, afflict or constrict, the road is not merely unpopular, it is pressed in. The picture changes, this is no longer only a tight doorway, it is a road that keeps narrowing around the traveler. Consider a path cut between rock walls after the sun has dropped low, the entrance is behind you now, but the road has not become spacious.
It's having a relationship with the true and living God through His Son Jesus Christ.
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