I have seen it said that if you don't accept Jesus Christ as God then you are not a Christian...?

Question

but how about all of the people that "accept" Christ as God and don't follow his teachings, are they still Christians? I would think that they would not be. Wouldn't one who trys to live by the principles taught by Christ be more of a Christian than one who "accepts" Christ as God and doesn't?

I am not a Christian.

Answer 1

u see a greater power ...not putting a label on god or jesus on him or her or it...u have a free mind to worship any way u wish...everything taught by those whom at one time firmly believed in this religion....the word u used is accept...does not mean u believe....my way of thinking u r better off believing in ur own way ...if u listen to others whom has been taught to believe in their way is the ones who is going to be in hell before we are....but there is no physical hell only imaginary one like there is no heaven ...invented by ones who cannot explain where we come from ...what it all comes down to is u do not have to accept nothing use ur own mind

Answer 2

I think there's this big misconception out there amoung non-Christians. I think, they think, we think, we are perfect or are above doing wrong. That is SO not the case. A Christian is someone who has accepted Jesus Christ into their life, realizes He is the only way to return to God, and DESPITE the MANY set backs throughout life, strives to follow His teachings. When those set backs happen, Christians try to recognize them as quickly as possible, repent as fully as possible, and rely on Christ to make up the difference.
This isn't to say that other people who are NOT Christians don't try to do these things too. I know of many fine upstanding people who are not Christian, who live wonderful "God fearing" lives. They try to do good in the world, they strive to live their religion as best as they can, and as they learn of a person fault, they try to correct it as quickly and fully as possible. Yet they're not Christians, and will probably die in their chosen faith. Do I believe, when all is said and done, that they will not be rewarded for their efforts to live the principles taught by Christ? No. I believe they WILL be rewarded for living by those principles. Do I believe that all who say they accept Christ into their lives, yet don't at least try to live by His principles will get the same reward? No. I believe ALL will be rewarded justly for how they lived. For some this will be the highest reaches of heaven, for others, a lower level of heaven, and for a select few, outer darkness where none of the glory of God will reach.

Hope I answered your question.

Answer 3

A follower of Christ's ideas is considered universally as a Christian. Some Christians believe Christ is Lord, some say Christ was a part of The Lord, and others say Christ was a prophet just as Buddha and Muhammad were. It is no wonder why Christianity is so divided! Whatever the case, all Christians agree Christ was a major influence in their beliefs.

Answer 4

Its the love thy neighbor question again. The basis is, if you are unable to love your neighbor, are you still a Christian? I don't think that many Christians are able to love all people, to always turn the other cheek, to possess all that acceptance for others.

Eventually, people will have to decide whether all self-proclaimed Christians go to heaven, or very few do, the ones who are actually good enough to follow those standards. The Christians I know all think they are going to heaven, and yet they follow very few of the commandments and other rules in Christianity.

Answer 5

No. That would imply that "you" the person can be "good" enough on you own personal merit to be accepted into heaven. The Bible says that a person is saved "by grace" thought "faith" in Christ-"not by works that any man can boast." Many claim to be Christian that are really not. There is a parable that Jesus uses to teach this-it is called the parable of the 'sheep and goats'. read it in Matthew 25:33.

Answer 6

Why would someone "accept" the Jesus was God but not follow his teachings? That makes no sense. If you mean that to be Christian you have to never do anything against his teachings, then I guess there are no Christians in the world.

Answer 7

Dear Siny,

We are saved only by the Grace of Christ's Death. With that said, once that is established and believed, there are certain principles that one must follow in order to avoid deliberate rejection of that Grace and fall into Mortal Sin. With that said, one who deliberately lives by the principles taught by Christ must nearly always be one who "accepts" Christ as God and Savior; otherwise he or she would be missing at least some principals taught by Christ (through either word or action).

Conversely, one who truly accepts Christ as God would desire to live by His principles, and though often falling short (as do all Believers in Christ), would nonetheless attempt to do so.

-j.

Answer 8

i believe in Christ and try to be Christ like. most time i fail, but being a christian means accepting Jesus and following his teachings. if you do not accept him but follow his teachings anyway you can be a good person but still not go to heaven. if you believe or follow his teachings. why not accept him into your heart.

Answer 9

*laughs* okay things are pretty bad when you have to be "more of a Christian" then another one. Instead of wondering if your better then the next Christian why dont you do something more honorable to god like donate things to the homeless or something? Really this is a silly question.

Answer 10

Anyone who does not follow the TEACHINGS of Christ are, by definition, not Christian.