I know quite a lot about your religion and I personally think it is a very loving religion. However, there is one thing I want to know. If someone calls themself a Christian but does not behave like a Christian, does that mean they will go to hell? If they are rude, do not pray to God, swear, insult others and hurt their feelings. I apologize if I have offended anybody, this is not my intention. I'm just wondering, that's all.
BTW, MerryChristmas to you all, I hppe you have a great one! =)
2006-12-11 12:59:49 · 53 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Being a genuine, born-again Christian means that you have realized that you are a sinner and have admitted that to God. You must realize and accept that Jesus' death was payment for your sins, and by asking him into your heart, you will be saved. There is nothing you can do to save yourself except have faith in Jesus Christ to save you. God instructs us that we will know a true Christian by the fruits of their spirit. (How they act, how they treat others, etc.) Someone could POSSIBLY be a Christian and act rude like you have described, but I would have my doubts. Christians are humans- we're in NO WAY perfect. People lose their temper, say mean things, but if someone constantly acts the way you have described, I would really doubt their salvation. If they're not saved, then yes, they will go to hell. But the only ones who know the condition of their soul is that person and God.
2006-12-11 14:40:28 · answer #1 · answered by JustMyOpinion 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This view may supprise you. You may choose not to believe it. Just like many religions Some Christians think they know everything which is very irritating to those of us who do.
As to the subject if hell well....
HELL
Hell is separation from God. There is no other hell. However if you have not experienced it you may not know just what I mean.
Soon after my first real Christian experience I had this experience. I had a treasured thing that I thought was sin. I now know the sin was only because I was willing to hold on the object when I thought to do so was sin. Anyway I finally let go of the sin object (chucked it in the trash) and returned to my room feeling self-righteous. I prayed to God expecting to feel The Spirit draw near. WELL; it did not happen. I prayed some more. Nothing happened. As I waited the thought occurred to me that perhaps I had held on to the sin too long and had grieved away the Holy Spirit. At the time I believed as I had been taught that this was possible. The church of my youth was really a squirrelly bunch.
The more intensely I prayed the worse it got. I was separated from God and I was indeed “most miserable.”
If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. 1Corinthians 15:19 ASV
As I had my eyes closed I felt I was facing a bottomless pit. I cried piteously to no avail. I WAS LOST!! Dammed without reprieve. Finally I gave up and went to bed. As I lay in my bed I again felt the presence of eYSHUA. However I was angry now. He had not come when I was in pain. I pushed Him away but He did not go. Later I would again do that. He did not go that time either.
2006-12-11 13:13:34 · answer #2 · answered by Bullfrog21 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is very possible for someone to lose their salvation. I am not entirely sure that is an aswer to your question, but it may help. Anyone who knows the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but rejects it for selfish reasons, are lost. It sounds like you are curious about faith, but are unable to commit because maybe you don't see the real differences between the religions? Consider this: Christianitity is the only faith that has hope. Faith, Hope, and Love. Will they go to hell? If they are purposely rejecting their faith, they will. If they are simply being human and being imperfect, but are working on it, then I don't believe they will. No one can be perfect, but if anyone has any doubt of where they go after their death, then they still have some things to figure out. Of course, most people who know where they are going are going to heaven because no one should want to reject the wonderful gift that Jesus has given us.
2006-12-11 13:12:13 · answer #3 · answered by fortruth12 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If someone is Christian in name only, then they are subject to hell on earth as well as hereafter. Hell remains as long as sin remains. But this is true for all people. Those who do not begin to understand the necessity for good, drift into their own hell here and now. A rude and hurtful person is not a Christian by any standard. A true Christian is only capable of good.
2006-12-11 13:45:02 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the book of James, James clearly states that faith without fruit (or "works") is dead (or no faith at all). As an evangelical Christian, I believe that a person is "saved" by faith in Jesus. True faith necessarily shows Christian fruit (Love, joy, patience, self-control, etc.) People are supposed to grow in their faith as their life proceeds, so that over time they should commit less and less sin and dedicate more of their lives to God (this is called "sanctification" in Christian theology -- becoming more and more like Christ over time). Christians do not actually turn into God, however, so they will still commit sins throughout their lives.
Many people say that they have accepted Jesus as their savior but are only deluding themselves. I say this not on a high horse, but this is accepted by most Christian theologians. Probably more than half of the people in the church pews on Sundays do not have their name written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Saying the "sinner's prayer" does not mean that you truly love God and want to conform your life to HIS will.
2006-12-11 13:14:28 · answer #5 · answered by ANDYMAN 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a Christian is not someone that is perfect
A Christian is human and will make lots of mistake
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!
Share this with somebody who already has this understanding, as reinforcement. But more importantly, share this with those who do not have a clear understanding of what it means to be a Christian, so that the myth that Christians think they are "perfect" or "better than others"can be dispelled.
2006-12-11 13:12:16 · answer #6 · answered by Linda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a difference between calling yourself a Christian and actually being one. A true Christian will at times offend, be rude, curse, hurt other peoples feelings and succumb to all the other frailties that humans have. This is why we have Jesus Christ. He forgives us for all of our sins.
Now, if a Christian continues to sin, does not repent but chooses to live a carnal life. He/She will go to Heaven, but there will be consequences for the choices that they made here on earth.
In Heaven we will be rewarded for the life we chose to live. For those of us who choose to follow after Jesus, we will be rewarded accordingly. Your question is an excellent one, and if you are interested in studying this further I suggest Reign of the Servant Kings. It is not a light read, but very informative, biblically based and I think you will enjoy it. God bless you for asking!
2006-12-11 13:12:01 · answer #7 · answered by brainsandcute2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a person enlists in the Army, then he (or she) BECOMES a soldier. (s)he may not look very soldierly nor act very soldierly at first.
Likewise, if a person BECOMES a Christian, then he (or she) may not look very much like a Christian nor act very much like a Christian -- though often there is a quick transformation!!
There is the difference between BECOMING a Christian and BEING a Christian. Like a soldier learns to be more soldierly, so a Christian should become more Christian.
--------------------------
Of course a civilian might put on an army uniform and appear to be a soldier ... but is not.
Likewise, a person might say they are a Christian, but is not.
2006-12-11 13:17:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah.. I've been there before. If they are really serious about starting to become a good christian, then go to God and repent. Pretty basic answer. But don't listen to what everyone says about immediately going to hell... so tell them to go and try to be forgiven of their sins now than later. Hopefully this helped
Merry Christmas too!! Christmas is awesome...
2006-12-11 13:05:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You know, there is a growing trend in the US called "Christian - Non-practicing". The US is so full of Christian influences that many people identify as Christian even though they do not go to church and they do not pray. They've added it to the census polls as a valid answer.
As a Christian, I would never judge whether someone else was going to heaven or hell. My belief is that if hell exists, it's probably not eternal. My God is a loving God, and I don't think God would leave souls in hell for all eternity. It's not a popular theory, but a growing one.
2006-12-11 13:03:25 · answer #10 · answered by Link Correon 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋