I notice people kind of throw this label around themselves like a halo...not everyone of course, but many.
2006-07-10 19:20:23 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
At the very simplest, it means that you recognize that Jesus came into the world for YOU. and did everything he did for YOU. and for YOU to know you have sinned and be thankful to Jesus for forgiving YOU, ask him to be Lord of YOUR life. You turn your heart and life over to Jesus.
Saying this with your mouth as confession, aloud, serves to also let Satan know you belong to Jesus Christ. (since, not being God, Satan doesnt read minds or know your thoughts and of course, is not all powerful and he isnt everywhere)
Thats the beginning. Its like asking "What does being married mean?"
And its like that spoken promise "I do". And thats the beginning. Simple. : )
2006-07-10 19:37:44 · answer #1 · answered by baghmom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many "Christians" out there. A lot of people believe that their faith with God is strong enough to give them that label, even when a lot of them may not go to church, read the bible, pray, etc.
You know you're a true Christian when you've found a new self-image.
For example, last year, before I was saved, I was an immature little brat. Now, a year later, I have everyone telling me that they don't know who I am, and that I act way more mature than before.
You know you're a Christain when you feel it, not when you say it.
2006-07-11 02:26:08 · answer #2 · answered by kslice917 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a Christian actually means to be "Christ like"
You are VERY correct in noticing that many people are quick to place themselves with this nice label, yet act like the devil. This is called a hypocrite (proclaiming to be something you are NOT) Don't be fooled by those people.
True Christians will carry a Christ-like attitude, positive, faces adversity with a good attitude, not jealous of others; will have a Christ like appearance-don't dress half nude and flaunt themselves in front of men, married men; will have a Christ-like spirit and long for others to come to Christ and love Him like He loves them, and so on and so on...These are TRULY Christians.
Please don't judge us all on the hypocrites. It only takes a few to give the good a bad name!
2006-07-11 02:34:58 · answer #3 · answered by GOUTVOLS 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The term Christian was a name given to followers and believers in Christ (Anglified Greek form of Messiah, Hebrew for Annointed of God); primarily because His followers spoke often of Christ. A Christian is a person whio lives their life according to the teachings of Jesus as written in the Scriptures. Many people call themselves Christian because they to not want the label of pagan. If you live your life by Christ's teachings and by the Scriptures then you are a Christian. (2Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.)
2006-07-11 02:42:06 · answer #4 · answered by emjaymuir 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a good question Dear. You have many different Religions that use this term they follow Jesus Christ teachings and the Bible as guideline's in life, some to the letter other bend the teachings to there own interpretations mankind has away of doing this. I'm a Latter Day Saint aka Mormon we follow the teachings of the son of God Jesus Christ he is our savior and our blue print to salvation though is love and sacrifice the(atonement) we will be able to return to Heaven. Now with that in mind you must make that choice on your own (free agency) you and only you must decide in your heart through prayer's and revelation by God what is correct and what is wrong if you have any doubts in life as God yourself.
2006-07-11 02:32:42 · answer #5 · answered by william R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To truely be a christian means to love God, and live a life following God's Will (which is the way in which he wants people to conduct their lives) to the best of the person's ability.
A lot of people who call themselves christians do not live godly lives, and these people are the ones that give 'good' christians a bad name.
A person may call themselves a christian and do good things for people, but in their heart they may not really believe in God, and these people should not be calling themselves christians.
A true christian will have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into their lives as their Saviour, and have repented from their sins. They should be trying at all times to do God's Will, and to develop a closer, more personal relationship with God through prayer, reading the Bible, and through the Holy Spirit.
No one is perfect, but a faith-filled true christian that loves God will always be trying to please God and live their lives the way GOd wants them to.
2006-07-11 02:28:51 · answer #6 · answered by L1ngg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The very basics mean that you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior. You recognize that he died for your sins so that you can go to heaven when you die. You are baptized in a water baptism to seal your acceptance.
From there it really depends on the denomination that you follow as to what it means. Some teach that once you are saved you are forever saved, or you have to confess your sins on a regular basis. Others teach that Jesus is GOD, Mary is GOD, Angels are GOD, the current preacher is GOD or in the Trinity (Father Son and Holy Ghost). Each group or denomination teaches a different set of life rules. Some believe that you endure hell on earth to reach your heavenly rewards. Others believe it is what is in your heart and not by your actions. Others believe it is by your works, or good deeds.
2006-07-11 02:30:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, alot of people who say they are christians are really not. A christian is a person that confess with their mouth and believeth in their hearts that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior. They are people that attend church whenever and wherever. They fast and pray. they are people that have an intimate relationship with God. They seek himand has trust in him. A true christian is a person that is always trying to be a better person.
2006-07-11 02:25:49 · answer #8 · answered by Ashlay D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Someone once told me that to be a Christian, you have to do this one thing that Jesus said, to "love one another as I have loved you" - it just means that we have to love and respect our fellow human beings (which I have to clarify doesn't mean that you have to love the things people do or say!).
Being Christian for me also involves having faith in God, and it gives me comfort in trying times. I always feel like God is with me when things are rough. My faith has gotten me through a lot.
People who think of themselves as holier-than-thou just because they are Christian seem misguided to me. I don't think I am better than anyone else, I know plenty of people who are nicer or smarter than I am and they aren't Christians. But I also know that it's God that inspires me to try as hard as I can to be the best person that I can be.
2006-07-11 02:46:36 · answer #9 · answered by ykokorocks 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christian means: "Christ-like". There's is no way we can really be like Him...except the fact that He died for those who believe in Him and our sins become forgiven if we believe. Because a person can receive forgiveness...they become (in God's sight) "Christ-like). The next step is try to follow in His footsteps.
John 3:16
2006-07-11 02:27:13 · answer #10 · answered by p_boxter03 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋