What is an authentic Christian?

[BilliardsBall]

So murderers get this gift? And good, moral non-believers do not?


Does this require work on your part? If so, describe this work. If not, then how do you deserve any gift?

If by "good, moral" you mean "imperfect people", both murderers and good people are imperfect. AND I believe some nonbelievers in Jesus are still saved because they've trusted God.

Does what require work? A FREE gift? Do you ask people to do work or show effort for birthday gifts? How about a child at their birthday party?

The Bible is clear--we don't deserve God's gift of eternal life but it is freely bestowed!

Thanks for your honest questions. It is sincerely appreciated.

 

[ppp]

Those that reject God and His Word are described in scripture as 'fools'. [Psalms 14 and 53]

Jesus portrays the man who rejects God as a man who builds his house upon the sand [Luke 6:48,49]. All seems well until the day that the storms arrive, and then that house is washed away because it has no foundation.

A religious text that engages in self-promotion and demogoguery is neither unique, nor noteworthy. You may as well be quoting from political campaign commercials.

 

[Redemptionsong]

A religious text that engages in self-promotion and demogoguery is neither unique, nor noteworthy. You may as well be quoting from political campaign commercials.

Did Jesus promote himself?

 

[ppp]

Did Jesus promote himself?

Don't know if any of the words or actions attributed to Jesus are legit. The Bible alone is not a credible source

 

[Redemptionsong]

Don't know if any of the words or actions attributed to Jesus are legit. The Bible alone is not a credible source

The words of the Bible, whether you consider them 'legit' or not, are there for all to read and study.

The promise of the Holy Spirit originates in the Bible, and the same Holy Spirit has been active in the Church for two thousand years. You can try to deny this power, but l know it exists because l was healed immediately following a believer's prayer.

The Lord is not some figment of the imagination. Through faith in Jesus one becomes the subject of his grace. That is my experience, and one that is shared by millions within the body of Christ.

 

[ppp]

The words of the Bible, whether you consider them 'legit' or not, are there for all to read and study.

Trivially true. The same is true of the works of Shakespeare and Stephen King.

The promise of the...

Are you trying to communicate to me? Or are you just using me as an excuse to write fervid testimony?

 

[metis]

Through faith in Jesus one becomes the subject of his grace.

IYO, what about those who were not and are not even vaguely familiar with Jesus?

 

[Redemptionsong]

Trivially true. The same is true of the works of Shakespeare and Stephen King.

Are you trying to communicate to me? Or are you just using me as an excuse to write fervid testimony?

It's sad to hear that you can't distinguish between the works of man and the works of God.

 

[Redemptionsong]

IYO, what about those who were not and are not even vaguely familiar with Jesus?

In Romans chapter 2, Paul talks at length about the judgment of God. He says, 'In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel'.

All hearts are judged by their willingness to repent and to accept the truth, the righteousness of God.

 

[ppp]

Are you trying to communicate to me? Or are you just using me as an excuse to write fervid testimony?

The answer is... as an excuse to write fervid testimony.

It's sad to hear that you can't distinguish between the works of man and the works of God.

I'm sorry that you are sad, but that is your problem. Not mine. I have no reason to believe that you, @Redemptionsong , can distinguish between the two; and as a result I do not believe your claims that a god exists.

I have no reason to think that you know, or are capable of knowing the things that you claim. It doesn't mean you don't. But it does mean that I would be irrational to find your god claims to be credible.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

You may consider the love of God to be an abstract idea; well, until you experience the power of this love it will remain abstract!

The evidence that this experience is not purely subjective is found in the the biblical record. The testimony comes from the apostles of Jesus, who gathered together with over 100 fellow disciples in the upper room on the night of Pentecost, fifty days after Jesus' resurrection.

Did all those that heard Peter and the apostles speak about their baptism in the Holy Spirit believe their testimony? No. Even with multiple voices giving testimony to God's outpouring of the Holy Spirit, there were many observers who put the experience down to drunkenness! [ See Acts 2]

Yet, if one looks at how a conversion experience changes a life, one need look no further than Paul. He was 'turned about' in outlook and thinking, so much so that he became the object of a Jewish assassination plot [Acts 23:21].

Both the fruit of love and the supernatural power of God's love are evident in the body of Christ. I believe that the world goes to great lengths to cover up, and explain away, the evidence for these works of God.

Do you have actual experience with God or do you just read about it?

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

I don’t think I am righteous, nor perfect at all. But Jesus Christ is and that is where my hope is, not in myself. I desire to live a life that pleases and honors Christ and displays His love and truth to others, but I realize how often I fail. Yet, I know I am going to heaven and have eternal life (1 John 5:13) and it’s a gift, not something I could possibly earn.
I have known many so-called “Christians” over the years who as far as I can tell are fake; domestic abusers, perpetual liars, health & wealth pastors, and others. The consistent pattern of sinfulness in their lives with no evidence of regret or desire to change demonstrates they are serving self, not Christ.

But they think they are serving him. The Bible is filled with support for their actions.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

The appointed time for vengeance [see Isaiah 61:1,2] has not yet arrived. In the meantime, God offers sinners his mercy.

The time to stop the crime is not long after they are dead.

 

[Redemptionsong]

Do you have actual experience with God or do you just read about it?

I have experience with my Lord, through the Holy Spirit, on a daily basis.

To be 'born again' means that change is personal and real. My experience fits that described in the New Testament.

I have encountered both the fruits of faith, such as peace and patience, and the power of faith, such as healings and words of knowledge. These powers do not exist in me, and l attribute them to Christ.

 

[Redemptionsong]

The answer is... as an excuse to write fervid testimony.



I'm sorry that you are sad, but that is your problem. Not mine. I have no reason to believe that you, @Redemptionsong , can distinguish between the two; and as a result I do not believe your claims that a god exists.

I have no reason to think that you know, or are capable of knowing the things that you claim. It doesn't mean you don't. But it does mean that I would be irrational to find your god claims to be credible.

You talk alot about what is reasonable and rational.

What reasons do you have for believing that men wrote the Bible without revelation from God?

Were deceitful men trying to establish belief in a imaginary God?

Were all the so-called prophets of the Bible (maybe forty or so) liars? Does this make lsrael a nation of liars?

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

Why do Dogs eat their own vomit
1) Their mother's regurgitant is their first food.
2) It is delicious to dogs.
3) To hide vulnerability to rival dogs and other animals.

Why Pigs Need Mud
1. Pigs need mud to regulate their temperature and protect their skin from sunburn.
2. Wallowing is an essential social behavior amongst pigs and encourages a sense of belonging.
3. Pigs need mud to cleanse their skin of parasites.
4. Pigs use mud to spread their scent for territory-marking and mating.
5. Wallowing may be a sign of swine satisfaction and well-being.

Surely Peter is not trying to demean dogs and pigs for acting as he thought God ordained them to act.

The thing that eventually struck me is just how ignorant the authors are. Even Jesus’s parables reveal a remarkable lack of understanding. Jesus constantly portrayed God as incompetent and lazy and vindictive.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

These powers do not exist in me, and l attribute them to Christ.

Jesus told us to let our light shine. Couldn’t happen if we didn’t have our own light.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

Jesus portrays the man who rejects God as a man who builds his house upon the sand [Luke 6:48,49]. All seems well until the day that the storms arrive, and then that house is washed away because it has no foundation.

And I realized Jesus had a foundation of sand. Deserts have less sand. Anakin Skywalker is complaining about it.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

What did Jesus do when faced with evil?

Usually he ran off.

 

[Kelly of the Phoenix]

Did Jesus promote himself?

All the time?