PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY BEFORE ANSWERING..THANKS! I was raised a Catholic...spent my teenage years investigating other spiritual paths then I became a Christian.....I no longer go to church but I love God and pray often...I cannot bring myself to judge other religions..I just live and let live.....I CANNOT COMFORM TO RELIGION..I have tried but I find it impossible..CAN I STILL CALL MYSELF A CHRISTIAN?
2006-09-11 15:47:23 · 24 answers · asked by Ceri 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
after you INVITE Jesus in your heart you are Christian
but may be you are still "Naughty"
2006-09-11 15:56:40 · answer #1 · answered by nustrodomus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are spiritually mature, and ask a good question. To answer whether you are a Christian, you first have to define what a Christian is; and the definition varies widely among churches throughout the years. What you can call yourself is what all people can call themselves: A human being - nothing more or less. You are a child (daughter) of Creation, who loves the Creator and does good - praying, living, and letting live. You have matured above the stage of religion to spirituality and reality.
2006-09-11 23:15:17 · answer #2 · answered by jackinlexingtonky 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Strictly speaking, a Christian is an individual who accepts the Bible as God's revelation to man relevant to both belief and practice. A Christian does not have the option or the luxury of changing its message. If I change it to suit either myself, others, or the current views of culture, then it's no longer Biblical Christianity -- it's my own self-styled religion. The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, consistently teach that salvation is narrowly defined and that the LORD God is not like the gods of other nations. Now you could argue that the Bible is wrong, and that is certainly your prerogative -- you may, or you may not be right. But a Christian is one who, by definition, has accepted it as true.
Unfortunately, as you probably have experienced, many folks who profess Christianity do so in an obnoxious fashion -- and that is wrong too, because the Bible says that Christ's followers should keep their faith in a spirit of respect and reverence for others. Jesus explicitly taught that He was "the only way" to the Father, but yet He did so in a way that attracted people to Him -- not repelled people away from Him. The Bible maintains a careful balance between Truth and Love.
The "church" has always had its share of faults; the synagogue was plagued by hypocrisy in Jesus' day too -- but, Jesus still made it His habit to attend.
I could go on. I'm confident you might reply with a list of follow-up questions, and perhaps objections -- but this will do for now...
2006-09-11 22:51:00 · answer #3 · answered by pilgrimchd 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
T be a Christian is more than just acepting Jesus in your heart, it is to become a footstep follower of Jesus example in praising God and doing God'sWill if you are doing those things then yes you can call yourself a Christian, but to be able to do those things you have to know what the Will of God is to be able to do it and you have to know what Jesus did to be able to follow his example!So ask yourself:What is the Will of God that I should be doing?How did Jesus do god's Will?How can I follow Jesus's example?Where do I learn about these things? The Bible! So if you are able to Answer those questions in the affirmative and in knowledge then you can certainly call yourself Christian. But I do understand where you are coming from I was also raised A Catholic then went out in my teenage years investigating other religious teachings because I was dissolusioned with the teachings and example of the Catholic Church!
2006-09-11 23:16:36 · answer #4 · answered by I speak Truth 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And what makes you different from the rest of us?
Christians struggle daily - I don't recall reading anywhere in scripture it would be easy. Infact, longsuffering comes to mind... doesn't sound easy to me.
If you believe in John 3:16 then you're a Christian. Besides, it says somewhere that God will come for those who hear. Sounds like you know who God is; Jesus is and what it's about.
Be kind to youself - remember... you'll never be as good as Jesus; none of us will - ever.
Continue to pray to God; talk to Him as you would a friend. Ask for his help and guidance. It says somewhere in the Bible that there are times when it feels like God is away - these are times He's probably closest, we're just distracted.
Perhaps consider finding a different church, or different version of the Bible - The Message, Amplified or New International are easier readers.
God Bless and Good Luck
2006-09-11 23:02:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, i believe that you can call yourself a Christian. A Christian is someone who believes in God and puts Christ and faith as a high priority in life. Just because you dont attend church regularly doesnt mean that you are not a Christian. You pray to God, giving him glory, and he loves you for that. That most certainly makes you a Christian.
2006-09-11 22:58:10 · answer #6 · answered by sweetlacrossechic33 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Although going to church is not a salvation issue, it is very important for our growth as a christian. Being among like minded people often helps you to grow and develop from all the help and encouragement around you. So, I recommend finding a good church.
Matthew 7:1-4
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
It is good that you do not judge others and their religions. Judgement is the Lord's and his alone. None of us are perfect, so how can someone that is imperfect judge someone else on their faults.
As to conforming to Christianity all I have to say is this. If you belive that Jesus is God's son and he came to die for you on the cross as payment for your sins, then I would say that you are a christian. However, you cannot just believe this and continue sinning. God wants you to love and live for him with a christ-like mindset. We of course will never be perfect like christ, but that is what we should strive for.
Philippians 2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
2 Corinthians 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.
2006-09-11 23:30:02 · answer #7 · answered by wlkonwtr1014 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While no one can say that you are or are not a Christian, that is between you and God. If you have repented of your sins, taken Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and turned your back on sin, then I would say yes, you are saved. You should find yourself a bible based church and attend. Try to find one not immersed in religion, but in the Spirit of the Lord.
Remember that we are not to conform to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our mind through Christ.
2006-09-11 22:52:46 · answer #8 · answered by 2ndchhapteracts 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I truly beleive so, yes. Just because you don't formally pray in a public setting does not make your prayers less valid, and as long as you truly beleive in the Christian doctrine, then that a Christian makes in my book. From experience, some people who *do* attend church frequently have less beleif than some who never go. Moral of this story: beleif is too personal to judge.
2006-09-11 22:52:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are trying to follow Christ and His teachings, Have accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, and still believe that He is the way the truth and the life you are a Christian. If one or more of these things you are not doing, pray, turn to scripture, ask Him He will answer you.
2006-09-11 22:53:55 · answer #10 · answered by Brian W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. You might notice there is no "church" called "Christianity". They are called "the Catholic Church", the United Church of Christ, St. So-and-so's Lutheran chruch, etc, etc...These organized "religions" are nothing more than cults. I find the whole belief in the magical fairyland of God, heaven, etc, absurd, but if you believe in that, thats fine. You are probably more of a christian than anyone in the Catholic Church that raised you.
2006-09-11 22:53:26 · answer #11 · answered by Ann_Tykreist 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋