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?
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Ziggy
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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.
You are not the result to chance, nor the outcome of a mistake or accident along along the way, you are part of an eternal plan which already saw you as a child, even before your parents thought about having children. This completely transforms the way you see yourself, if you were chosen with so much love, who are you now? Ephesians 2:6, your true identity is not in what you do, but in who you become by being united with Jesus. You were raised with Christ and seated with him in the heavenly realms, this is not poetic metaphor, it is a spiritual reality that redefines everything.
Behold
Well-Known Member
A disciple is a follower of Jesus The Christ who tries to keep the words of Jesus as their personal guide.
You can be a disiple of Christ, water baptized, and not be an actual CHRISTian.
If you've read.......where Jesus said....."Depart from me, i never knew you"..........then you've read where some DISCIPLES of CHRIST, who were casting out demons.... will not be joining Jesus in Heaven, according to Jesus.
A.) A Christian, is a BELIEVING sinner who has given God their Faith in Christ and subsequently been eternally born again spiritually by God's Holy Spirit.
AA.) The only 2 eternal Proofs of becoming a CHRISTIAN, is that you are BORN AGAIN and have God's Holy Spirit inside you.
"well behold what about all my works ive done for Jesus, and what about all YOUR WORKS you've done for Jesus".
AAA.) Its just works..........its nothing more.........and in fact the Road to HELL is completely paved with good works and good intentions.
You can be a disiple of Christ, water baptized, and not be an actual CHRISTian.
If you've read.......where Jesus said....."Depart from me, i never knew you"..........then you've read where some DISCIPLES of CHRIST, who were casting out demons.... will not be joining Jesus in Heaven, according to Jesus.
A.) A Christian, is a BELIEVING sinner who has given God their Faith in Christ and subsequently been eternally born again spiritually by God's Holy Spirit.
AA.) The only 2 eternal Proofs of becoming a CHRISTIAN, is that you are BORN AGAIN and have God's Holy Spirit inside you.
"well behold what about all my works ive done for Jesus, and what about all YOUR WORKS you've done for Jesus".
AAA.) Its just works..........its nothing more.........and in fact the Road to HELL is completely paved with good works and good intentions.
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Ziggy
Well-Known Member
What is the manifestation of the Sons of God?
What does it mean to be manifest?
How will we know?
Hugs
What does it mean to be manifest?
How will we know?
Hugs
Many live trapped by labels imposed by the world, failure, rejected, insecure, useless, but the Bible offers you a new narrative, a new way to see yourself, in Christ, you are beloved children, heirs, temples of the Holy Spirit, part of a heavenly body. This is not an identity earned, but granted and to ignore it is to live below what has been prepared for you. Ignorance of who you are in Christ, is one of the greatest spiritual prisons of our time, understanding this identity changes your choices, your re-actions and even your prayers.
When you know that you are heirs, you pray boldly. When you know that you are forgiven, you walk lightly. When you know that you are loved, you love with more freedom. This understanding is not theoretical, it shapes your daily life, Jesus not only saved you, he re-positioned you, and this new position brings a new way of living, and as you realize who you really are in Christ, you are led to one of the greatest gifts connected to this identity, forgiveness and redemption.
When you know that you are heirs, you pray boldly. When you know that you are forgiven, you walk lightly. When you know that you are loved, you love with more freedom. This understanding is not theoretical, it shapes your daily life, Jesus not only saved you, he re-positioned you, and this new position brings a new way of living, and as you realize who you really are in Christ, you are led to one of the greatest gifts connected to this identity, forgiveness and redemption.
Ziggy
Well-Known Member
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