If I love to attend parties rather than funerals? If I drink alcohol and lust for women? If I am rich?
2006-11-09 22:14:09 · 20 answers · asked by Go For Broke 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, you can still be a Christian.
You become a Christian by accepting that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and claiming him to by your God and savior.
Upon that, you become God's son. Just as embarrassing your dad is not going to stop you from being his son, indiscretions that the religious community frowns on will not make God disown you.
Different denominations have different expectations and sets of things they believe will keep you out of the pearly gates. Some believe that using gas or electricity is worldly, so they commute in buggies and plow their farms with mules. Many believe it is a sin to dance. Even more believe that it is a sin to drink wine or beer. Nearer the other end of the spectrum, the Methodists encourage dancing but use grape juice at communion. A parable: Two guys were chatting at a the office party. One of them asks the other, "Are you religious?" And the other replied, "No, I'm Epicopalian."
Most of the interpretations for what people consider acceptable behavior are drawn from the epistles of Paul. But you really need to go to the gospels and read what Jesus says about you, God and the world. Then decide for yourself what it means to you. The 10 commandments are the primary salvation issues and drinking is not on the list. Neither is feeling turned on by women.
Getting drunk is embarrassing as well as dangerous. So good sense should guide you to be discreet with your use of alcohol. Lusting after women is OK if it does not go too far. We are commanded to not covet somebody else's wife or his stuff. To covet means to have an inordinate desire, or wish for with all your heart. So thinking that Mrs. Smith is hot stuff and possibly getting feeling frisky is OK. Wanting her so bad that you actually hit on her with the intention of getting past first base is not OK.
A concept that does not get much press comes from the scripture "Believe in Him and ye shall have everlasting life." Everybody pumps the everlasting part. However, few people notice the LIFE part and notice it is in PRESENT TENSE. Up until one becomes a Christian, they have an existence (and a short one at that). Afterwards, they have a life. They begin to enjoy life, living, loving, sharing and everything attached.
The downside is that a Christian has a father. Just as your real parents made life challenging in ways to make you grow into a good person, you will be challenged in ways to make you grow spiritually. Both suck durring the challenges, but on hindsight are good things.
As mentioned earlier, Christians tend to want NOT to do things they used to do. As you grow spiritually, you begin to more and more want to do the right things, things that will bring honor to you, your parents, and glory to God.
2006-11-09 22:22:02 · answer #1 · answered by Trailcook 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think it says anywhere in the Bible that it is wrong to attend parties, drink alcohol, or be rich. And about lusting for women, I guess it depends on whether you act on it or not. Really, I'm not sure that being a Christian has anything to do with what you do or want to do. If you beleive in the Bible and Jesus and all that, then you are a Christian. Maybe not a model Christian, but still. Just remember, If you don't follow the rules in the Bible you are going to hell. Man, I am SO glad I'm agnostic.
2006-11-09 22:32:16 · answer #2 · answered by J.C. 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
All you have to do to be a Christian is put stock in the teachings of Jesus. Now, you may not qualify for membership in some sects because they've attached their own set of rules to what Jesus had to say, but go to the Episcopal church, and you should be fine; they're like...Catholics, only not as many rituals and regulations.
Hey, you know the difference between a Catholic and a Baptist? A Catholic will say, "Hi" to you in a liquor store. LOL
And consider this: If drinking were a sin, would Jesus have turned the water at the wedding into wine? Wouldn't he have rebuked them instead? The Bible says "Get ye not DRUNK with wine," meaning exactly that. Don't be a slobbering drunk, a lush, an alcoholic, always out of control of your mental faculties. People like to pick and choose which parts of the Bible to pay attention to and put it out of context to shame people in an attempt to focus attention away from their own inadequacies. Drink up! But be responsible...
Being rich isn't a problem unless you care more about your money than God or your fellow man. If you can give money away selflessly to those around you whom are less fortunate (and NOT make a show out of it - don't tell people, just DO it, or you're doing it for the wrong reason), your soul should be in good shape. The old eye of the needle rich man thing was a lesson intended for everyone, not just rich people— ANYTHING that you care about or put more stock into than God or your fellow man can prevent you from entering the Kingdom of Heaven. You have to be WILLING to give it up, but that doesn't necessarily mean you have to actually give it up. Almost all the Old Testament prophets were wealthy men. But they were obedient to God and used their assets for His glory, and like Abraham, they were WILLING to lay it all down if that is what God so decided. If a rich man can do the same with a humble heart, he will a have a great place in the Kingdom of Heaven...but like Jesus said, it's not easy.
As for lust, yes, you have a slight problem there. Jesus specifically warns about lusting after a woman in your heart (something EVERY man does, by the way); it's counterproductive to functioning well in society (which sucks in a society that practically REVOLVES around sex). I suggest you find yourself a good woman to help you take care of that problem. You might even meet one in church! Good luck. : )
p.s. There's nothing wrong with enjoying parties more than funerals. If it were the other way around I'd be worried about you!
2006-11-09 22:24:56 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I don't see how the above stops your heart from believing in Christ as god. It does have a small hang up on the fact that Christ's teachings specify that the only way to God is through Christ.
However, if you realise that these teachings are correct and that is the way you'd like to live your life, whether your self control is high enough or not, then the "spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak", (Siad by Christ in the garden of Gethsemane)
But you have to feel sorry for anything you do that are against Christ's teachings... The only problem is that you'd have to find out which of the normal denominations of the Christian Church are actually Christs teachings and not made up by some "infallible" sect leader who has mis-translated the message.
2006-11-09 22:20:24 · answer #4 · answered by Chris F 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well, Harry, but of course! Your inadequacy is Christ's first requirement of you to go through the Rebirth and become His son. Don't even bother cleaning yourself up, leave that all up to Him. To become part of the Christian Party, you must come as you are.
Christ was never angry at the sinner during His earthly walk. He loved the sinner because He could genuinely see right through their soul and know why they had become what they were, whether prostitute, drunk, or mammon worshipper. If you will note, Christ directed His anger to the arrogant Religious Zealots, the holier-than-thou crowd of His day, just as He is currently displeased foremost with those obsessed with Christian "religiosity" in our Modernity.
When Mary Magdalene was about to be stoned by her accusers for being caught in the physical act of fornication, and Christ came to her defense by saying, "For those of you who are without sin, cast the first stone," He was inscribing into the dust of the earth with a stick. None of the accusers could stone the prostitute, because as they looked down into the inscribed dust they saw written each of their secret sins next to their names. Nothing is hidden from God.
And if you are rich, it is written, "For those who have much, much is expected." You must realize God has blessed you with His money, for everything in this world is His. So please do not follow the way of the foolish man who does nothing for the Kingdom of God, e.g. feeding the poor, helping the homeless, the orphan, widowed, sick, etc. For it is also written, "It is far easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle, than a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven."
If you ever get the chance, especially this Christmas, rent the movie, "The Fourth Magi" starring Martin Sheen. It's a delightful portrayal of a fictional 4th Wise Man, a wealthy man, who never quite makes it to the Nativity, always running late, for he took time to be a physician to the sick. The ending is extremely emotional; you'll love it!
2006-11-09 22:44:18 · answer #5 · answered by . 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
In the Bible it says alot about lusting being a sin, it also has some things to say about getting drunk that are not good. Being rich is not bad as long as you use it the way God intends and not to flaunt it and look down on others because you are rich. It is in Genesis 14:1-24 where it talks about Sodom and Gomorrah. These are the reasons God destroyed their city!
2006-11-09 22:42:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Yes. The Son of God came to seek and to save the lost. He died for us while we were still in sin, not once we were perfect. However once you have accepted Jesus the Holy Spirit will reveal to you the things you think and do that aren't godly, therefore arent good for either yourself or those around you. He will take away the desire for things that arent good for you and give you the desire for those things that are.
I know because he has done it for me. I used to drink, smoke, take drugs, love parties, lust after men and more but I am no longer interested in any of those things, i dont mind parties that are tasteful and not full of drooling drunks. I really enjoy life now an dont feel empty anymore. I still have problems in life, Christians dont escape problems ocuring, but my reactions to them are not the same and in the bigger scheme of things they ont matter. Anyway God works ALL things together forthe good ofthose who love Him (Romans 8:28)
God bless
2006-11-09 22:25:46 · answer #7 · answered by angelvic_83 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
they are not Jews because Jew's do not trust the messiah has come yet. they don't trust Jesus so believing in Jesus and putting forward your Jewish obviously contradicts one yet another.... that is unhappy that there are those Evangelist Christians that call themselves "Jews". give up this custom now, your disgracing both Judaism and Christianity.
2016-11-28 23:59:53 · answer #8 · answered by korniyenko 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A true experience: I was in a bar getting drunk with a guy and he started preaching to me. I asked if he was such a good Christian then why was he in a bar drunk? He said because he was on a mission from God to save drunks!
2006-11-09 22:17:00 · answer #9 · answered by tumbleweed1954 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
YES
Christianity does not shun you if you lead a immoral life.
You are given the rules and how you apply them is up to you. You will be the one to answeer for your misdeeds when you meet your maker at the pearly gates....
There are cults that will try to tell you you will be kicked out if you do not follow their dogma. As I said they are cults not religions.
2006-11-09 22:20:21 · answer #10 · answered by Molly 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋