There are so many ways to be a Christian or to be saved, even in the Bible. Can we decide who is by their actions?
I'm not sure what you mean by that, because most people today read the Bible however they want, with no regard for what it is saying.
It's part of the culture that exists, which does not value godliness, and so, the Bible has become, "Whatever"
Hence today people do not try to understand it.
Who can blame them though. The long record of corruption and hypocrisy in the history of religion, has certainly contributed to that... no doubt.
(Revelation 18:5) For her sins have massed together clear up to heaven, and God has called her acts of injustice to mind. (Jeremiah 23)
The Bible says by the fruits, by their love, so if that is the case, there are very few Christians.
You said it, and I agree.
Not just I, but the very few Christians - Starting from the head of the TRUE Christians, and onward.
(Matthew 7:14) . . .
narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it.
(Matthew 22:14) . . .“For
there are many invited, but few chosen.”
(Luke 13:23, 24)
23 Now a man said to him: “Lord, are those being saved few?” He said to them:
24 “
Exert yourselves vigorously to get in through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will seek to get in but will not be able.
That's a good start, but the question is, will you continue from there?
But one person can't judge who is Christian and who is not, so if they wanna be Christian, who is to say?
When you say one person cannot judge, I assume you mean out of us humans today, and that is correct, but one person is judging, as in the case of Christ.
Hence, he expects us to know on what basis he judges.
He said it clearly.
(Matthew 24:14) . . .
this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. . .
(Matthew 25:40) . . .‘Truly I say to you,
to the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
(2 Thessalonians 1:8) . . .as
he brings vengeance on those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus.
Isn't that clear to you also?
Is that not saying one must know
whom Jesus brothers are,
whom he has entrusted with the responsibility to preach the good news?
How can we be saved if we don't identify, and listen to these ones?
(Romans 10:13-15)
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.”
14 However, how will they call on him if they have not put faith in him? How, in turn, will they put faith in him about whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone to preach? 15 How, in turn, will they preach unless they have been sent out? Just as it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who declare good news of good things!”
Here we see that expression, "sent out", or "sent forth" - apostleship. True Christians are sent forth to preach. They are modern day apostles or prophets, in a sense.
They go forth, carrying the message of the good news of the kingdom.
Do you know who they are?
Quote the Bible to them, but you gotta pick which verse you think is the "real one" regarding salvation. And most unbelievers were believers at one time in life,and they tend to know the Bible better than current Christians.
'The "real one" regarding salvation'?
There is no confusion to those who understand basic principles.
For example, children who go to school, know that English is made up of many parts of speech.
They know that the teacher expects them to use the proper parts of speech, in their essays.
So when a child writes an essay, they do not think only one of those parts of speech should be right, and the others don't apply.
Likewise, the "child", that is, the humble individual, who studies the Bible, understands that the teacher - Jesus Christ - the greatest of all... with one exception, expects them to apply
all of what he said. Not pick one above the other, or just one.
So for example,
- 'Unless one repents, they cannot be saved." Luke 13:3-5
- Unless one exercises faith in the son, one cannot be saved." John 3:16, 36
- "Unless one goes through Jesus, they cannot be saved." John 10:9
- "Unless one calls on the name of Jehovah, one cannot be saved." Romans 10:13
- "unless one endures to the end, they cannot be saved." Matthew 10:22
etc.
A good student of the Bible, understands that
all these apply in his "essay".
When they submit it, they don't expect to hear..
‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:23)
No one knows the Bible better than Christians. People are fooling themselves when they think that.
Ohhhhhhhhhhh. You mean
"Christians
". Yes, that is true, because many of those do not know the Bible.
Is that judging?
No. To the world, a
"Christian
" is anyone who believes in Jesus Christ. That could be Donald Trump, or anyone who loves to grab the women... you know where, or it can be anyone who swears ever 5 seconds.
On the other hand, a Christian (real/true) is one who follows Jesus' example, and teaching. That's scripture.
First century followers of Christ were called Christians, because their way of life, was patterned after Christ.
They practiced what he preached.
Notice one of those identifying marks of true Christianity.
John 13:35 -
By this all will know that you are my disciples - if you have love among yourselves.”
Who today demonstrate love among themselves - the whole association of brothers / brotherhood, no matter what
race, nationality, or background?
You can narrow it down to one, by simply asking some questions.
Which group of those professing to be Christian,
- will refuse to take up arms against their fellowman, regardless of which part of the world they live... even at the cost of their life?
- stay politically neutral, and do not take sides, in political or worldly conflicts?
- are a united brotherhood in all parts of the world?
You decide.
