Criteria for being a christian (Page 3)

Zanjan
Zanjan: Fact: many, very many Christians aren't saved from the world; their struggling, disunity, and materialism is more than obvious, as is their disobedience to many ordinances. That can't be hidden or swept under the carpet.

Some churches break down and those who still have faith, although disenchanted, shop for another church. Others leave, still maintaining belief in Christ but wanting nothing to do with any church. Some abandon belief altogether.

It's easy to get new believers to join an established religion; not so easy to keep them there.

Instead of making false claims, let's look at the hard reality.

I see many Christians as honestly trying and finding comfort and strength in their relationship with God; but, if you want a perspective from millennia ago, you have the letters to the seven churches.
(Edited by Zanjan)
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chronology
chronology: Interesting comments Zan. You have a wide knowledge of religion and sociology.
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Angry Beaver
(Post deleted by Cenababy 5 years ago)
Angry Beaver
(Post deleted by Cenababy 5 years ago)
Angry Beaver
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Apokalupto
Apokalupto: Why so sad?
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Angry Beaver
Angry Beaver: I got deleted
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DodgeCityKid
DodgeCityKid: Do not be deceived by Zanjan. What Anonymous Attributes posted 3 months ago is biblical truth. Zanjan talks of another gospel that we are warned about in the Scriptures.
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Zanjan
Zanjan: What did you think Christ would bring you when He returned?

See, you should have been paying attention and kept your lamp trimmed.
Now it has escaped you.
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Apokalupto
Apokalupto: I think you mean anti christ, but you can't tell the difference anyway.
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Angry Beaver
Angry Beaver: Is Jesus Santa??? pressiessssssssssssss
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DodgeCityKid
DodgeCityKid: Words are not simply sounds caused by air passing through our larynx. Words have real power. God spoke the world into being by the power of His words (Hebrews 11:3), and we are in His image in part because of the power we have with words. Words do more than convey information. The power of our words can actually destroy one’s spirit, even stir up hatred and violence. They not only exacerbate wounds but inflict them directly. Of all the creatures on this planet, only man has the ability to communicate through the spoken word. The power to use words is a unique and powerful gift from God.

But Don't begin to believe that we can do whatever we want like gods just because we can create by our words, that's really dangerous, and this is not what it is about. Everything that we pray for in faith has to go in tandem with the word of God and his will, so also our desires!
Our words have the power to destroy and the power to build up (Proverbs 12:6). The writer of Proverb tells us, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21). Are we using words to build up people or destroy them? Are they filled with hate or love, bitterness or blessing, complaining or compliments, lust or love, victory or defeat? Like tools they can be used to help us reach our goals or to send us spiraling into a deep depression.

Furthermore, our words not only have the power to bring us death or life in this world, but in the next as well. Jesus said, “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36–37). Words are so important, that we are going to give an account of what we say when we stand before the Lord Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).

There is a remarkable parallel between Ephesians 4:25, lying; Ephesians 4:28, stealing; and Ephesians 4:29, unwholesome talk. In each case Paul is urging us to be a blessing to those with whom we have daily contact. Paul is emphasizing that merely refraining from telling lies, stealing, or unwholesome speech is not enough. The truth is that Christianity is not a mere “don't” religion. As followers of Christ we should emulate the example of Jesus whose words were so filled with grace that the multitudes were amazed (Luke 4:22).

Jesus reminds us that the words we speak are actually the overflow of our hearts (Matthew 12:34–35). When one becomes a Christian, there is an expectancy that a change of speech follows because living for Christ makes a difference in one’s choice of words. The sinner’s mouth is “full of cursing and bitterness” (Romans 3:14); but when we turn our lives over to Christ, we gladly confess that “Jesus is Lord” (Romans 10:9–10). As condemned sinners, our mouths are silenced before the throne of God (Romans 3:19), but, as believers, our mouths are opened to praise and glorify God (Romans 15:6).

Christians are those whose hearts have been changed by the power of God, a change reflected in our words. Remember, before we were saved, we lived in spiritual death (Ephesians 2:1-3). Paul describes those who are dead in sin: “Their throats are open graves” (Romans 3:13). Our words are full of blessing when the heart is full of blessing. So if we fill our hearts with the love of Christ, only truth and purity can come out of our mouths.
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Zanjan
Zanjan: Well said, insofar as the words you choose reflects your own state of mind.

However, I think this is giving a little too much credit to words spoken by *humans* - they don't necessarily have power over others. While your actions reflect the state of your own heart, they don't control my response to them. Actions merely tell me the truth.

I think we need to take a broader look at that application. There are some people you can say a lot to and some you can't. Some you can confront about an issue, some you shouldn't. We're all unique so we need to adjust our words according to the audience. This takes thoughtfulness, not merely polite restraint. The things we don't say can be just as problematic.

For instance, I know someone who informed family members of important information but omitted details to a particular family member because they thought they couldn't handle it well. That's not an adjustment, that's judging. It's also misleading.

As it turned out, that person found out the truth from somebody else and was deeply hurt because they'd been left out by the primary news-bearer. It's difficult to repair broken bonds.
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Angry Beaver
Angry Beaver: Oh jesus!
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El Comandante
El Comandante:
tl;dr

A question to Cena: has it been difficult for you to follow Jesus's teachings in the political climate of the USA?
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tularcitas
tularcitas: Question....Why can't a Christian forgive?
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Zanjan
Zanjan: My guess is it's because he has to be honest with himself while doing so. Unfortunately, most have the mistaken notion that forgiving means forgetting. That's definitely not possible. "To forgive" means you no longer hold the wrong doer's actions as culpable. That may or may not give the wrong-doer a chance to kick-start your damaged relationship. Depends on how often it was damaged previously.

We're supposed to remember; especially for serious cases, forgetting would be a grave disservice to the soul.
(Edited by Zanjan)
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Cenababy
Cenababy: We are to forgive but not forget.
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El Comandante
El Comandante: Which scripture is that, Cena?
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El Comandante
El Comandante:
Here is a lesson for you Christians from your own holy text:

Colossians 3:13
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

How has "the Lord forgave you"...

Isaiah 43:25
"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more"

To remember no more also means 'forget' hence the lesson is to forgive and forget without limit.

Maybe you should take the time to read the book that you Christians so often climb up on as a soapbox.
(Edited by El Comandante)
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Cenababy
Cenababy: I can forgive but i can also watch someones walk, meaning to not trust as i know them ie; not forget. Forgiving is not forgetting....God doesnt expect someone to be stupid.
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El Comandante
El Comandante:
Are you saying your God is stupid? Because the verses clearly shows a forgiving and forgetting or a wiping away is done and it seems as a follower you are to do the same.
Of course if being a Christian is tough you can quit the act but you're not a follower if you pick and choose.
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Cenababy
Cenababy: Read what i said, dont twist
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El Comandante
El Comandante:
Read what you said and it is twisted.
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Cenababy
Cenababy: Are you saying your God is stupid?

NO I DID NOT
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