What, exactly, is a True Christian?

[Doxiemom]

The "imperfect faith" of a Christian is anthing contained therein, or missing thereof, according to the heresy hunter and the rabid catholic. Therby you are disqualified from being a true Christain. You are going to hell. They are almost so perfect that the Holy Spirit asks them for advice.

They both have caused me more tears than I thought possible to shed. Both kinds have told me I am going to hell. I shall meet both the Reverand Billy Graham and Mother Teresa there.

That is what I am talking about.

[Hope]

Hi Biblenugget lady,

There are black and white issues, especially with regard to moral issues, that are not hard to decipher and do not require a theological degree to interpret. And it is encumbant on ALL Christians to follow those moral precepts, without a doubt! We should correct our brothers and sisters if they have fallen into sin with love and respect. This is oh-so-very-true.

Heresy-hunting, however, is the determination that you are 100 percent correct on all "secondary" theological issues, and then finding the flaws in other's theology, to then correct their mal-theology, and then if that person refuses "correction" to treat them like they are "tax gatherers and sinners" whilst shaking the proverbial dust off the proverbial feet.

As an example, I am a baptized Catholic, who loves the Lord Jesus. He is my Lord and Savior, not Mary, not the saints, and yet there are many on this board that WILL NOT believe that, and they won't believe that no matter what I say because they have determined I have a different Jesus. Why? Because they cannot comprehend the Church's teachings, they don't accept it, and therefore it is wrong and I need to "get out of her". It is not enough that I love Jesus, that I have been baptized, that I desire to imitate Christ in every word, deed and thought (and not out of vain works, but strictly for the love of God). No, that is not enough. I must line my "theology" up with THEM (even though they differ widely) before I can safely be assured of my salvation.

This is theological nitpicking. What matters is that a person loves Christ, loves God and "imitates" Christ. That is what a Christian is.

Hope

BTW, we will be judged according to how we "love", the purity of that "love" and the scope of that "love," not by whether we pass a theological quiz, and know the difference between Arminianism, Calvinism, preterist, pre-trib, post-trib, mid-trib, OSAS, to speak in tongues, or not to speak in tongues ..... AND have "picked wisely". All of these things are "clanging cymbols" because it is love that excels them all.

[Sing4Him]

Heresy-hunting, however, is the determination that you are 100 percent correct on all "secondary" theological issues

Holding man's ideas/philosophies up against God's word is not heresy. It is taking a stance for the Lord Jesus Christ.

As in Noah's time there will be mockers and scoffers and of course those who want their ears "tickled" by men.

'being baptized does not bring one to heaven.
'believing that Jesus is the Son of God, does not bring one to heaven.
'being a "follower of Christ" does not bring one to heaven
'saying, "I love Jesus" doesn't bring one to heaven


-->>Tell me, how do you know you are saved and going to heaven?

also.. side-note.. we do not know which people are in heaven today.. only God knows.(that includes the likes of Mother Theresa and Billy)

[Sing4Him]

The "imperfect faith" of a Christian is anthing contained therein, or missing thereof, according to the heresy hunter and the rabid catholic. Therby you are disqualified from being a true Christain. You are going to hell. They are almost so perfect that the Holy Spirit asks them for advice.

[05] Do not promote anything non-Christian or unscriptural.

Please explain.

[Sing4Him]

BTW, we will be judged according to how we "love", the purity of that "love" and the scope of that "love," not by whether we pass a theological quiz, and know the difference between Arminianism, Calvinism, preterist, pre-trib, post-trib, mid-trib, OSAS, to speak in tongues, or not to speak in tongues ..... AND have "picked wisely". All of these things are "clanging cymbols" because it is love that excels them all.

{05] Do not promote anything non-Christian or unscriptural.

This is Biblically incorrect.

Non-believers are judged at the Great White Throne of God. They are NOT written in the book of life.. why? they did not repent of their sins while on earth and ask Jesus to be their Lord and Savior.

Believers who have repented and asked Jesus to be their Lord and Savior are judged at the Bema seat of Christ (during the tribulation period in heaven) and accordingly for NOT their sins, as they are seen clean as they have been washed already by the blood of the Lamb. They are judged for what they have DONE for Jesus through Him. (this is where scripture uses the word "works".. which is not a works salvation but our testimonies for Christ!) This is where the believer is rewarded with crowns.

AND have "picked wisely". All of these things are "clanging cymbols" because it is love that excels them all.
You will not be in heaven because of love. period.

[funmudder]

There is a huge difference between loving Christ

and Following Christ.

If you are determined to follow doctrines of men OVER the teachings of Christ and Gods word, then you have rejected Him for your own idea of wisdom. Be it the catholic man made heresies or the cultic demand one must speak in tongues to prove salvation, those things are not going to save you.

If you are not questioning fallible men, specifically the teachers and leaders of the flock, then you leave yourself wide open for deception. Even the most theologically sound men will be wrong every now and then, so it is prudent to search the scripture to see for yourself if what they say is true. If they are wrong, it's out of love that you show them the error so that they can see what they missed, or show you where you missed. Bereans are called heresy hunters because we put more faith in Gods word, than we do men just as sinful as ourselves.

2Pe 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

How will you know if a teacher is false? Do you really think satan was so ugly and loud that his lies and heresies were so easily spotted?

You can love Jesus all day long, but will you actually follow Him over the doctrines of the world? And how will you know the difference between the two?

I am greatful for my brothers and sisters in Christ that point out deceptions I did not pick up on. My ears are just as itchy as the next, and most lies don't challenge you to actually look into the word, because "it sounds about right". That is a dangerous attitude and a pervasive one in this age of 'touch not my anointed' and 'yall stop pickin on him cause he is a good man!'
If he is really such a good man, then he would WANT to know where his take on scripture does not line up with the rest of the Word. It's the ones full of pomposity and pride that declare themselves to be theologically perfect. Those are the ones most open to deceiving themselves, and then the people that look up to the pastors more than they look up the actual scriptures.

Heresy Hunter? If it means one who seeks out doctrines that are not of God and sounding the alarm for the rest of the flock, then sure. I'll take that title.
I freely admit that I don't even begin to know all the things I don't know. But one thing I DO know, is that all men are sinners, all men are fallible, and ALL things should be compared to scripture to see if they are true. Only Christ is infalible, and only Christ will I not question.

[Stinker]

Hi Biblenugget lady,

There are black and white issues, especially with regard to moral issues, that are not hard to decipher and do not require a theological degree to interpret. And it is encumbant on ALL Christians to follow those moral precepts, without a doubt! We should correct our brothers and sisters if they have fallen into sin with love and respect. This is oh-so-very-true.

Heresy-hunting, however, is the determination that you are 100 percent correct on all "secondary" theological issues, and then finding the flaws in other's theology, to then correct their mal-theology, and then if that person refuses "correction" to treat them like they are "tax gatherers and sinners" whilst shaking the proverbial dust off the proverbial feet.

As an example, I am a baptized Catholic, who loves the Lord Jesus. He is my Lord and Savior, not Mary, not the saints, and yet there are many on this board that WILL NOT believe that, and they won't believe that no matter what I say because they have determined I have a different Jesus. Why? Because they cannot comprehend the Church's teachings, they don't accept it, and therefore it is wrong and I need to "get out of her". It is not enough that I love Jesus, that I have been baptized, that I desire to imitate Christ in every word, deed and thought (and not out of vain works, but strictly for the love of God). No, that is not enough. I must line my "theology" up with THEM (even though they differ widely) before I can safely be assured of my salvation.

This is theological nitpicking. What matters is that a person loves Christ, loves God and "imitates" Christ. That is what a Christian is.

Hope

BTW, we will be judged according to how we "love", the purity of that "love" and the scope of that "love," not by whether we pass a theological quiz, and know the difference between Arminianism, Calvinism, preterist, pre-trib, post-trib, mid-trib, OSAS, to speak in tongues, or not to speak in tongues ..... AND have "picked wisely". All of these things are "clanging cymbols" because it is love that excels them all.

"Do YOU LOVE ME? "yes Lord" Then feed my sheep.

Do YOU LOVE ME? YES Lord " Then FEED my sheep.

DO YOU LOVE ME? YES Lord, you KNOW that I Love you. Then feed my sheep.

Part of Loving Christ is helping our brothers and sisters stay away from hurt, and error, things that can inhibit them and hurt there relationship to our savior.

Of course we want to find out what is a true form of Christianity, for ourselves and for them.

[Sing4Him]

Do YOU LOVE ME? "yes Lord" Then feed my sheep.

Do YOU LOVE ME? YES Lord " Then FEED my sheep.

DO YOU LOVE ME? YES Lord, you KNOW that I Love you. Then feed my sheep.

Part of Loving Christ is helping our brothers and sisters stay away from hurt, and error, things that can inhibit them and hurt there relationship to our savior.

Of course we want to find out what is a true form of Christianity, for ourselves and for them.

True FORM if christianity?? :scratch

I am asking Hope and Doxie.. what IS the salvation message?? waiting.....

[Biblenuggetlady]

Hope, it may surprise you, I am an ex-catholic. When you become born again and learn the truth of Jesus Christ and His Word and the compare that to the doctrines and practices of the RCC, I can't see how one can honestly hold onto that "church" and not be convicted in your spirit. Jesus is first with me. I don't hold any "doctrinal camp", church name, or man in estime. The RCC however, holds sway over it's followers and is the master of "guilt". It is not the true church, it is not the first church, and I am sorry hon...but it is a false church wrapped up in idolatry and fornication. I still see my mom struggle due to their indoctrinations. She was actually raised by nuns from K-12 as she attended an all girls catholic boarding school. Today, she is in a Lutheran church, but that is just a pebble toss from what she left. I will pray for you to find your way out also. Please understand I say this in love for you. I am so glad Jesus set me free.

As for the heresey hunters comments...all I can say is to read Jude, and 1st and 2nd Timothy, those are messages for today. Doctrines of demons and wolfs in sheeps clothing are entered into the doors of "churches" and are leading "silly women" captive. Only the Holy Spirit will allow you to discern these things. If you can't see the doctrines of demons and apostates who've entered the doors of the church today, then you really need to pray FOR discernment. I pray this every day for my church family. God is looking for a bride without spot, a faithful wife, not one who is laying with the world and corrupting His Word to lure in pew warmers. He wants people who are surrendered to Him and His will who will stand on THE faith.

[Hope]

Hi Biblenuggetlady,

I am sorry that mother is struggling .... it sounds like she struggles with condemnation. I do know Catholics that struggle with that as well ... especially folks that were raised pre-Vatican II it seems. But then on the other hand I know many Catholics, old and young, who exhibit true joy in the Lord. I also know Christians from other church traditions who struggle with legalism and things of that sort. (I have heard many a 'nun-tale' .... YIKES .. glad I have met any of those! LOL)

My prayers are with your mom, and that she can find true, joy and freedom in the Lord. Thank you for your prayers, and I will pray for you as well.

Blessings,

Hope