Are you a Christian
 

Do you wish health and happiness on all regardless of their social status or the amount in their bank account? If YES you are a child of GOD. Jesus was in theory a socialist. Do not be drawn to the dark side by believing that being POOR means you are lazy. By the grace of god be thankful for what you have and reach out to help those not as fortunate as you.


:pray:

please

I love you fella. You are a good person, but this is starting a religious and a political argument. People are poor for a variety of reasons. Some of them require our financial help and others require for them to do for themselves. Some can and some cannot.

Christians are supposed to do unto others as themselves. And love and forgive. I also remember the parable of the talents.

I do not believe that being poor means you are lazy but I do believe that being lazy means you are poor. AND that God helps those who help themselves.

I agree, but the question is are you a Christian? There is nothing wrong or illegal with being rich or successful, but not to Share that with the needy is an example of being less than a believer in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Not all poor are lazy. Charity is a Christian way of living. YOU deciding or judging who should be given charity is NOT CHRISTIAN.:pray:

hmmmmmm.

We all try to do right according to our beliefs and Christian beliefs vary widely.

It is a rainy evening and has been a rainy day where we signed in for golf and didn't play. Too much time on our hands and we debate things that are better left alone. Only God can decide who is righteous.

Dear Lord. See these idle hands typing? I do.

I love you also Gracie, but I fear we all sometimes get lost thinking about the 35 year old man on the front porch with a 40 oz beer in one hand and food stamps in the other hand. MOST people in need do not fit that mould, so we must not throw out the baby with the dirty water.

That's quite a leap to suggest Jesus Christ was a socialist. Socialism came along with Marx many centuries after Jesus' days on earth. Marx believed that God was a delusion of the human mind. He is credited with the quote that religion is the "opiate of the masses". You refer to Jesus admonishing Christians to "give" to the poor. I don't believe he is referring to people only monetarily poor. I would also suggest that when Jesus refers to giving to other He almost always is referring giving the less fortunate freedom(s).

I am certainly no biblical scholar but I 100% consider myself a Christian. I try to do the right thing by other people by both giving financially and my time. But being only human I come up far short. Being Christian I also believe it is not for me to judge others.

Read the sermon on the mount and you may be less confused.

Well, if a man judges another man in any way, he is defying the teachings of Jesus.

I like these ideas but Christianity is incredibly complex in practice as well as theory. Certainly institutions like massive churches which profess to be Christian seem to have a lot to do with showing their power and glory as well as often their military might. Christianity - ReligionFacts

I do like the Mother of Teresa version of Christianity than that say of Joanne of Arc.

Really? What about, God helps those who help themselves? Give a man a fish and he eats fir a day,. Teach a man to fish and......Also many non Christians are very philanthropic. Does being generous make you a Christian? Does being a Christian make you generous?

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions were his own, but they shared everything they had.

That sounds almost like a definition of communalism at its finest.

You didn't really meant that...?
 

you are saying that if you are charitable you are a Christian. did you mean to say that?... that's not in the Bible or the or the Torah or the Vedas/Hindu Scriptures...where do you get that?
Are you saying any charitable Jew is a Christian? a charitable hindu is a Christian and likewise a charitable atheist? Are you saying Jesus had no Godly attributes or calling but to show how to love your neighbor?
I hate to disagree cuz I like you but if you really meant to say what you said, I would like to talk to you about what it takes to be a Christian, so pm me if interested.

This thread is heading in a bad direction. It will get nasty. Just a few more posts

Yes, I am a Christian.

Amen!

I am a Christian and I know the only command for giving in the NT is found in Corinthians and it says "Every man according as he purposes in his heart so let him give, not grudgingly or of necessity for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Cor 9:7

There are many Scriptures that do say that laziness brings poverty such as "He becomes poor that deals with a slack hand but the hand of the diligent makes rich." Proverbs 10:4

"Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep and an idle soul shall suffer hunger...Proverbs 19:15

"The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest and have nothing." Prov 20:4

As far as Jesus being a Socialist I see that nowhere in Scripture. In fact he says if a man does not work he does not eat...and the poor you will always have with you. Never ever is there a command to take from the rich and give to the poor.

Wow!?!? Really? Perhaps you should read your reply to me.

I will be bowing out of this thread. No good can come from it. You asked your question rhetorically. You are not interested in any one else's reply you would rather just sit in judgement of other.

this is NOT a biblical statement...in fact Jesus said quite plainly:

"Judge not according to the appearance BUT judge righteous judgment." John 7:24

We all make judgments and when it comes to church discipline judgments have to be made. There is one command that says that we are NOT to socialize or even eat with a brother under church discipline. In order for a member to be disciplined judgment has to be made. The admonition is to NOT judge hypocritically or maliciously Matthew 7:1. Jesus advises us to judge righteously.

sorry Golfingnut but you're getting some very bad teaching NOT according to the Scriptures.

A true Christian does not assume others give less than he does, and a true Christian does not announce his "superiority" over others, in helping the needy.

Matthew 6
New International Version (NIV)
Giving to the Needy

6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Matthew 6 NIV - Giving to the Needy -

I have to try again to say this...the very reason for Christ's death is that we are wholly unable to obtain status with God by good works, a truth which seems diametrically the opposite of the assertion made in the original post as to what makes one a Christian.
A Christian comes to God only upon realizing that "all our righteousness is as filthy rags". We are utterly dependent on the mercy of God to love us in spite of how we are, won by Christ on our behalf.

I have not read a post above that is in line with what I MEANT about Christianity.

I see more greed, hatred of others, selfishness, prejudice, and lying among people with a cross hanging around their neck than I do among the few atheists that I know. So, what I meant to say was, if you can see any of those traits in yourself, I would suggest reconsidering just how far you are from being a devout Christian. I AM NOT JUDGING ANYONE, I am suggesting that you judge yourself. :ohdear:

PS: I would prefer to hear others opinions on this and not misinterpretations of what some think I meant.

I recognize that what I think is not the only way to think. Yes, there are selfish people, but there are so many good people who try to do what God wants them to do, whatever they perceive that to be. In my experience, those who put themselves in pulpits usually err.

Christianity is not a synonym for morality. In the spiritual realm there are basically 4 types of people:
1) the natural man--is not interested in having a relationship with God
2) the mature spiritual man--has a relationship with God and increasingly manifests the fruit of the spirit (e.g., love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.) as his relationship with God deepens
3) fleshen spiritual man--has a relationship with God that's just beginning, spiritual babe
4) fleshly spiritual man--has a relationship with God, but behaves carnally. This type is often outwardly indistinguishable from the natural man, the difference being the fleshly man has a relationship with God and the natural man does not.
Christianity is not a matter of moral vs. immoral, it is a matter of relationship with God vs. no relationship with God. Jesus declared the only way to have a relationship with God is through Him--Christianity accepts this declaration as the most critical and pivotal point in all of human history, past, present, and future.

Now that you have said what you meant clearly...I am in a community of believers who are genuine, caring, generous, accepting, loving, actively seeking God, praying, giving, ministering to each other and reaching out.
I agree that much of what calls itself Christianity has lost its heart. It has been a long time since I was in a fellowship like this and I am wholly grateful.
I also know many people who are not believers whom I consider to be kind, generous and loving.

How about just being a good human being whatever your religious leanings, or lack thereof. :doh:

Being a good person is not limited to those who believe in Christ.

There are many non-Christians, who believe in a Higher Power, who are spiritual, generous, kind, supportive, genuine, caring, accepting, loving, praying, giving, ministering to each other and reaching out. And wishing health and happiness to all regardless of their social status or the amount in their bank account.

:BigApplause: YES!

:bigbow:
Agree, 100%.

I got on this high horse due to an incident very recently in which I made a favorable comment about one of our leaders in Washington and then was given quite the long verbal assault as the gentleman spit out the N word three times in one sentence. That said, the part I cannot seem to shake off is the visual of the gold chain and cross so prominently displayed on the outside of his shirt at mid chest.

Only my opinion, but that strong language and especially the use of the N word does not fit the guidelines of being a Christian as I understand it.

Yes. Some christians believe that you should have unquestioned belief in the trinty and you are saved by your faith, not works and deeds. I feel that all relegions are trying to love GOD in their own way. However, one gets to heaven, is determined by GOD and no one should judge another person. We are all judged by GOD, at the end of our days.

GOD"s greatest commandmant is to love your GOD with all of your heart.

God's second greatest commandent is, "love another as I have you loved you".

My favorite saying is, "let us not grow wearly while doing good, as we will reap in due season, if we do not lose heart". Galations: 5:13.

I believe all people of different religions, strive to be the best person they can be and want to gain entrance, to heaven. They may take different roads to get there, but they will get there.

Sorry to hear about that experience. In my own life experiences I have found very little correlation between the faith someone professes and how they actually treat other people. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_3:16 Notice that the promise of life eternal has nothing to do with how one conducts their lives probably also a good reason why you find John 3:16 so often in prisons around the world and especially on Death Row.

Golfingnut and Barefoot - I agree with both of you. I too had a similar experience with a very religious person who kept using the "n" word. Very hateful, and is one of many incidences that has turned me off to religion. I do believe the 10 commandments are a great set of rules to live by, and I try to do so in my life, but I am not a fan of organized religion.

Thank you. I also refer to the Sermon on the Mount for guidance.

Remember that Jesus was also maligned by the Pharisees when He was on earth. We must forgive as Jesus commands us, His followers. As a Christian I have been the object of ridicule many times. I have to pray for them as God (Jesus) tells us that we will be hated because we are His followers and to love and pray for them. Also, the Holy Spirit is still working in the hearts and minds of those they call themselves Christians. We aren't perfect yet, but will when we see Him in Heaven. God has a wonderful plan for all of us and He still loves us all, despite
our sin.My prayer everyday is for my heart to be like my saviour Jesus Christ. :-)

You can be religious but lost. It's not about being religious. It's about following Christ. We are NOT supposed to be looking at man but at Christ as our example.

The best way for the enemy to destroy a camp is NOT from the outside but from the inside. It's clear that Satan has infiltrated the camp and walks the aisles of many churches today. Jesus said you will know a tree by its fruit. If a man calls himself a Christian but his fruit is bad (love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, etc) then he most likely is not a Christian no matter what he calls himself.

We should NOT let these "professing Christians" get in the way of going to worship with a local body of believers. We are commanded to do that. There is NO such thing as a lone ranger Christian.

I agree with your comments about some people calling themselves Christians and yet do not bear the fruit of Christianity ie. love, peace, goodness, etc. I am not a Christian, and so we can agree to disagree about one's duty regarding religion. Whether someone believes in Christ, in the Hindu religion, or prays to Allah, does not concern me. I feel one's duty as a spiritual human being is to (try) to be a good person.

Just b/c someone has a cross on a chain hanging from their neck does NOT mean they're a Christian. We live in a fallen world and we are in the last days before Christ returns, let's all keep our eyes and hearts on the Lord and NOT on people who make rude remarks, just pray for them and let God heal their hearts of hatred.

The problem with this is that people get judging a person confused with judging acts or behaviors.

We can all certainly agree that there are some acts that are wrong. What we should not be doing is judging that the people who commit these acts are going to hell.

This is a problem with people who read the Bible and quote a few lines out of context. Often, when Jesus spoke he was not speaking of the material world. Sometimes when he used to the terms rich and poor, he was talking in spiritual terms.

Someone said to read the sermon on the mount and it will all become clear. The problem is that ten people can read the sermon on the mount and come away with ten different ideas of what he was saying.

Biblical scholars are often needed to put the words of the Bible into the context of the time and the language of the day.

Shocking story, absolutely shocking. I have been told many times that opposition to the leader in Washington has nothing to do with his pigment. I don't see in your post which leader, you did mean Boehner and some bigot was calling him the Naranja man.

Exactly:
Ephesians 2:8

This is right (quoted above). The foul-mouthed old coot that spat out the n-word while wearing his cross pendant, regardless of being a true Christian or not, will still sin until the day he dies, as we and the apostles all did/do/will do.

Example: Mother Theresa, in all her merciful and loving works, sinned as we all do until the day she died. But her spirit lives on in eternity in God's presence, because she was fully surrendered to Christ's authorship and lordship over her life, and she placed her total trust and faith in Him.....NOT in flawed/sinful mortals in elected office in Washington or elsewhere.

Christ did not come to earth as a man to tell us to trust in nor serve a mortal men in order to earn our way into God's presence in eternity. Only Christ has the power and authority to do that. (see passage below)

Also, the sinner spitting the n-word could well be one of the people I've known who grew up in times where it was freely spoken, but it didn't and still doesn't mean they'd ever knowingly harm anyone of that race. The man who was the longest serving member of Congress in history, probably used that filthy word throughout his life, maybe even after getting out of his white robe and pointy hat position. I see that he was allowed by many to be given a break because he had an epiphany and changed his public speech....but yet some are not afforded that chance because of their differing partisan views.

Colossians 1

The Supremacy of the Son of God

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[g] your evil behavior.
22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

I'm with those who believe that God will let you into his home regardless of your religion on earth. What matters is your behavior, your thoughts, your deeds. These speak of what you are regardless of what you profess to be.

I was raised Catholic and always took issue with the idea that a child born and not baptized could not go to heaven and how could it possibly be heaven if our beloved pets weren't allowed in? Or my twin that died 2 days after birth? I could not and cannot believe God would deny the innocents the key to heaven.

So, to me, Christianity is a non-issue. Following the teachings of our Lord is what matters. Being kind, gentle, giving. Doing what is right and moral (not necessarily legal) is the important thing.

(And thanks for explaining what you meant GN. Was really afraid this would go off on an awful tangent and rant. Your clarification helped a lot.)