Christians: How do you know if you are a *true* Christian?

Question

Twenty-five years ago I was active in a church, preparing to attend seminary and as far as I could tell, I was a “fully committed Christian”. Today I am a Neo-Pagan. I have been told by any number of people that the only way this could happen is that I was never a *true* Christian in the first place.

So, how can you tell if you are indeed a true Christian?

I only ask this question because I don't understand the thinking process of the people who say such things.

Answer 1

Going to church, singing, learning in seminary, praying, etc. None of these make you a Christian. Only when you truly believe that Jesus is sovereign Lord with all your heart, that's when you become a christian. Playing church doesn't do squat. That might be why you turned.

Answer 2

Many people who belong to a religious order think that because of this they are a Christian. Religion and Christianity are like water and oil. There good by themselves, but try and mix them together. Neither wants anything to do with the other.

I was brought up in the Catholic Church. I went along with what they told me to do till I started to wonder. My curiousity got the better of me and soon I was reading what the Bible said.

The Catholic Church does not promote the reading of the Bible chapter by chapter, and verse by verse. They know that you will gain wisdon and then understanding comes along as you start a relationship with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Father.

They, the church wanted nothing to do with me after I gained the gift of Wisdom. A gift from the Holy Spirit.

When you accept Jesus Christ and repent truly of your past sins, you are forgiven. The Father through asking in the name of Jesus Christ will send the Holy Spirit to you and dwell inside of you. Now comes faith. This is an active verb in relationship with God.

Read, read, read, to show yourself approved by God. You gain wisdom and understanding, and faith. You now know. Go and do likewise.

You now say you are a Neo-Pagan. The Father did not lead you to His Son twenty five years ago. You know that don't you?

Jesus Christ will never let you go back to death after being given the gift of life. You would never trade live for death.

Now is the time, while you are reading this to make a commitment, a lasting commitment to God through Jesus Christ and repent and let God share the load of this world with you. Now go do the right thing.><>

Answer 3

As a Neo-Pagan, do you denounce Christ totally? No one has the right to say you were never a "true christian" in the first place except you. During those times you were still actively involved in the Christain activities and never doubting it for second maybe you were. But if during those times there were already recurring questions in your faith maybe you really never was. It is only you who definitely say that.

Answer 4

It is possible for a true Christian to be tempted by Satan and become a non believer. I don't know what happened to change your beliefs. You must have been deeply committed to Christ if you were preparing to attend seminary. I'm sorry that you have chosen to forsake Christ, falling for Satan's lies. I pray that your heart will be softened so that you will return to Christ, asking Him back into your life. He loves you so much and is waiting for you to turn back to him!! May God have mercy on your soul.

A true Christian believes in Christ. That He is the Son of God who was crucified for our sins. And a true Christian does their best, every day, to live as Christ would live.

Answer 5

1 Corinthians 16:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient.
Love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
But where there are prophecies, they will cease;
where there are tongues, they will be stilled;
where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.
When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.

Answer 6

By the way one acts and reacts to the trials and tribulations and temptations in their lives see John 16:33.

Another thing is the motive of WHY someone accepts Christ, is it true repentance and being sorry for your sins and a need for a Savior or does one think being a Christan solves all your problems.

I am still learning and growing in my Christian walk.

Answer 7

Try the spirit,

1 John chapter 4 and 5

Answer 8

I'm not sure what a "true" Christian is, because that implies judgment. But I believe people's beliefs can change depending on what kind of things they go through in their life. The main thing is believing in God, and salvation through Jesus Christ. What changed your belief, and what is a Neo-Pagan?

Answer 9

Those who told you that you were never a "true" Christian are probably referring to this comment of John's:
1Jo 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
I do find it difficult to believe that a person who truly knows Jesus personally would leave him to become a "neo pagan"...

CEM said it best!!

Answer 10

When you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit guides you. It is like someone is there telling you what you are doing/thinking is wrong. Trying to keep you from going astray. But it is easy just to ignore what you know is right and go the wrong way anyway. But when you do, in your heart you feel a conviction trying to bring you back.