"True Christians" Last time, .....I think, anyway...?

Question

No offense is meant here. I'll tell you why I have asked, and I'd like to know what you think about it.

Do you really think it's your place to go around telling who's a "true Christian" and who's not? Your relationship with God is something that is inside of you, correct - between you and God?

Isn't assuming to know about that relationship a character judgement - something you aren't supposed to do?

When a non-Christian asks you "Why did this Christian I know call me a name?" or, "Why did this Christian I know have sex before marriage?" or, "Why did this Christian I know lie to me?" ...Don't you think it's a rather weak argument to claim that person is not a true Christian, and that's why they committed (fill in the sin). Isn't that rather arrogant?

If the people that say "Oh, well he's not a true Christian" would be more tolerant of their own fellow Christians - then I'd feel more confident that they would be tolerant of the rest of us as well.

Tavita, I count four questions. If you can't understand and handle something that complicated, then pick one, and I'll be satisfied. As it is, what's your answer?

Answer 1

I agree with you. Know one can know what is truly in another heart. Probably all of us have had a holier that thou attitude at one point or have been the victim of one. Sometimes we are so busy pointing fingers at someone we miss the fingers being pointed at us.

We are probably all guilty of looking at some one and saying no way is He/she a Christian look at what they are doing, but then we have to look in a mirror and say wait a minute look at me I am not perfect either. Who am I to point my finger at them or say the things they do are worse then the things I do. A sin is a sin is a sin no matter who commits it. No sin is a better sin or a worse one than another all sin is wrong.

Answer 2

I guess I would classify someone as a "true Christian" if the following the teachings of Christ, accept the innerrancy of Scripture and the doctrines and teachings wherein. I would also look for "fruit" in there lives, that is, displaying the fruits of the spirit. We can never know really the spiritual state of anyone, that is between God and the person. Some people may look very "religious" but be as lost as lost can be. Just because someone calls themselves "Christian" does not make it so. I guess the only time I would call into question whether someone is a believer or not is if there was blatant sin in their lives and were unrepentant of it. All believers are on the road to eternity, some move a little faster than others, some have fallen off into the ditch, some a bit slower. God grows us in the faith according to His plan for us. His plan for me will not be the same for you, or someone else. Hope this answers your question.

Answer 3

I myself may something about TRUE CHRISTIANS. But I do not have the inside track on who is or isn't. Besides the Bible tells us in Phillipians 2:12 that "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING." Which speaks of what you have said. That it is between each one of us and God. But God also says that we need to be our brothers keeper.

Basically we don't know the heart condition, but we can see the fruits or what the other person does. This tells us a lot. But since we cannot see what is inside the heart and God can. God will take care of what he has too with the knowledge he does.

And yes it is a weak argument. I have made mistakes that have led me to sin. And yes I do go to God for forgiveness and ask that he give me the strength so that I do not fall again. Besides if that argument is true, then there have been many strong Christians that cannot be called Christian, because of a sin they had committed.

Answer 4

It is not our place as Christians to say who is a 'true Christian' or not. Unfortunately, judgement is part of our fallen human nature, and is another one of those things that we have to die to every day, and remind ourselves that God is the only one who can judge. I believe that a true relationship with God is something between myself and Him, but I also believe that if that relationship is a good one, that it should be able to be seen by others through my actions and words. We are called to become like Jesus. This is basically an impossible feat, but what it means is that we must spend our entire lives dying to the self and pressing into God, for strength, peace, understanding, trust, and love. We cannot move through this life without Him. One of my favorite quotes is that 'the biggest problem with Christianity today is Christians' because we go to church and act as though we know it all, and then we go out into the world and deny Him by our actions. The walk with God is not an easy one. But I believe it is the right path.

Answer 5

OK..a real answer this time.

I think that the only way of telling who a "true Christian" now adays is a matter of theological and dogmatical correctness, as well as personal attribute.

That said, I (as a Christian) can not judge any ones sins because I am guilty of my own share, we all are.

Assuming to know someone else's relationship with God is wrong because while we may be able to see their sins openly, we can not see the hidden repentance of the heart.

Yes, it is a weak argument to assume someone is not a real Christian based upon a mistake or sin. Again, we all make mistakes and each of us are prone to various passions, be it judging others (pride), over eating(gluttony), arguing and loosing our patience with others (anger), etc.

No one is perfect, save God.

That said, Christians make mistakes, just like everyone else.

Peace.

Answer 6

The Bible says we have all sinned a fall short of the glory of God. That means all of us, even Christians. We all continue to fail. Being a Christian doesn't make us perfect, it just makes us forgiven. We don't continually live in sin once we are saved, but we do continue to fall--the difference is we get back up and ask for forgiveness once again and go on. We do the best we can with God's help. Perfection comes in Heaven. This life is the process of becoming like Jesus, but the process won't be complete until we see Him face to face.

Answer 7

I agree -- it is not any one's place -- on earth at least to say who is and who is not a "true" Christian. If you leave it to Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, gay and lesbian people are not "true" Christians. Did God whisper that tidbit of information in their ears -- I don't think so. It is not our job to make that call. It is not our job to say "you're going to hell if you do this and if you turn your life around you're going to heaven." My dad still says "most for in the church are going to hell." Well it was a funny statement to me as a child, however, now as an adult and as a minister, I sometimes get to see first hand just how some "church" going folk treat each other and I wonder if there is some truth to his statement. I'm not a fire and brimstone preacher, never have been. I just trust that God will give me the Words to say to the people that will make their lives better, their families better, and the desire to be a better person.

Answer 8

Telling someone they are not a true Christian is not anyone's place by God. Whether or not someone is a true christian is no of God, it is a title given by man. We are supposed to be 'Children of God'. However, God gave us "guidelines" to go by to understand how to recognize "wolves in sheeps clothing" as it states in the Bible. The only thing I can say is that I am constantly working on my own relationship with God and not going to 'point fingers' at others....."Let the first man who is without sin cast the first stone..."

Answer 9

Well, this is how I see it: No one but God/Jesus (and the Blessed Virgin if you are Catholic) is sinless.
God/Jesus told us not to judge lest we be judged. God/Jesus said that the judging of mankind is His province, and His alone! If sinning makes us "not true Christians", then none of us are, right?
We have been taught that the second greatest commandment (after: Love God with all your heart and mind and soul) is: Love your neighbor as yourself. If true Christians, then, are following that golden rule, then THEY must like it when someone calls them "not real Christians"...........because they sure like to say it to others!!
My faith (and yours) is between me and My Lord. You are correct that it is a personal relationship. And only God can judge me---He/She is the ONLY one who knows my true heart and soul.
Everybody else can kick rocks!


ps I just read the answer above me, and the lady rocks! (not "kicks rocks") I am an old lady who has fallen away from my faith many times, and right now I don't know what I believe in except that I should love all mankind, and whatever I do to the least of my brothers/sisters, I do to Jesus. People like the answerer above me help me to really think about going back to church. Thank you, young lady, for your beautiful and insightful answer.

Answer 10

Christians are humans just like everyone else. There are many "nominal" Christians- people who claim to be Christians simply because they grew up in a Christian family and went to church, etc. Then there are real Christians, but these Christians have weaknesses just like everyone else. That's why they (should) ask God to help them when facing temptation. But everyone falls at one point or another- and in some instanes, the goof-up is really big.
In these instances that you talk about, I think it would be more appropriate to say that these Christians (who screw up) are not acting like true Christians. And you know what, they're not. Simply declaring, "They're not true Christians" IS a rather weak argument, but I believe it applies in some situations, like with "Sunday Christians" you know, people who are goody-goody in church only, but act just like everyone else once they're out of church.
If you're more interested in topics like these, you might want to talk to a local minister. He'll be able to give you better info.