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I shouldn't be so confused.....but it seems very confusing.

2006-12-22 18:49:38 · 16 answers · asked by ? 5 in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

16 answers

Faith? Works? Jesus?
Don't get down on yourself -- it *can* get confusing. Don't stress... :)

What is a Christian? All of the above:
I'll see if I can clarify a little bit for you.

In Rom 1:17 it says,
For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

See, we are saved through faith in Jesus (not just faith in whatever we feel like having faith in, since (as it says in Acts 4:11-12) He is "'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.").

We have faith in Christ (Jesus) and in what He did for us, and He credits our faith to us as righteousness. It's like the faith is a certificate or something that a bank somewhere says, "Well, since you have this certificate, we will zero out this mega-credit-card debt."

It seems too easy, but this is the way God has set it up. There is this literature (ie, the Bible) that dates back over two thousand years that serves as evidence that He said so.

What about works?

Works (that is, things we try to do to please God and make Him happy) aren't worth much, as far as paying off our debts (in a spiritual sense) -- But they do a pretty good job of showing God that we love Him. We do our "good deeds" to show God we love Him -- to show Him gratitude. They also are part of our spiritual fruit, since we are basically God's garden.

What kind of fruit does God like? Well, according to Galatians 5:22-23...
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

What about following the example of Jesus?

If you have ever read any of the four books known as "the Gospels" (that would be Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John -- the start of the New Testament), you will see clearly that living a life of faith and good works is all He did... and a whole lot of it, too!

So what is a Christian?
Just someone who does their best to be like Christ.

I hope this answer helps clear up a little of the confusion. :)

Barjesse37

2006-12-22 19:30:53 · answer #1 · answered by barjesse37 3 · 1 0

A Christian is anyone who has accepted Jesus as God's Son, and has devoted himself to following God.

We really should take faith out of our vocabulary until we understand it properly. We use this word alot, but we think it means something completely different. Faith is trust. It is not choosing to believe something regardless of evidence. When a Christian talks about their walk of faith the best analogy I can think of is someone putting money into a 401k. They have faith that sacraficing that money now will have a reward in the end. That is what a Christian's faith is supposed to be. Sacraficing some of our desires to do the work of God, trusting that our sacrifice will someday bring us a reward.

However, we must understand that we can never "earn" our way into heaven. That is why we are saved by grace, not works. Some people want to "do their works" solely as a means to an end. They are still truly serving themselves, not God. They want to earn their way into heaven by "doing their time" going to church, etc. This is unacceptable to God. God wants the heart to change, not just the actions.

Following the example of Jesus is understanding this. It's not about preaching, or doing miracles, or obeying the Law of Moses, or not obeying the Law of Moses. Following the example of Jesus is learning to completely give yourself over to God. To never have a thought for yourself, but to only desire to do God's will. This is was being a Christian is all about.

2006-12-22 19:20:29 · answer #2 · answered by Serving Jesus 6 · 2 0

Faith without works is dead... I understand this to mean that you can have all the faith you want but, if you do not do the deeds to use the faith what is the point? I have faith in God's word that if I love my fellow man they way God loves me... that God will be pleased so therefore I stand on that faith and regardless of the fact that my refrigerator is almost empty I will step out on faith and still get together with my church family and used whatever food I have left and feed the homeless for Christmas.

I know that I do not have to worry because my faith leads me to stand on the word of God again and not worry about what I will eat because I know if God so loves the sparrows enough that their food is provided daily he will also provide for me.

This is just my example of faith and works everyone may not agree.

2006-12-22 18:56:28 · answer #3 · answered by Alicia S 4 · 2 0

...Scripture tells us in Acts 11:26 that "the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch." The name "Christians" was perhaps slanderously intended, but stuck.
...To become a Christian, one basically must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, and in Him alone. Ask Him to save and make you the person He wants to be. He will change your life, give you a real reason to live, give you the best type of life here and give you a home in Heaven, too.
...RE good works: Since Jesus paid for our entire salvation, you might ask , "What should I do good works, then?" The answer is out of gratitude and obedience to Him who saved you. Suppose you had a rich Uncle who bailed you out of jail, at no charge to you - wouldn't you be grateful to that uncle? Jesus has paid for all our sins, forever, and so I live a life of grateful service to Him. At least one reason why we are left here on Earth for a while is to serve the Lord and to love others.
...When we fail (sin, and notice I said when), He forgives if we just ask.
...If you have other questions and would like to email me, please do. I have had some training in answering questions about Christianity and would be glad to talk with you.
...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved; whosoever will, may come.

2006-12-22 19:08:07 · answer #4 · answered by carson123 6 · 1 0

Your faith started when you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal saviour. But having faith alone does not save you but for by grace of God that works in you. A lot of things to read and to understand in the bible. And this things shouldn't confused you. For to follow Christ is by the process, with the help of the holy spirit let that faith works in you. Rest assured that you are in line with the word of Jesus Christ and the joy, peace in you will work out positively to yourself and to the people around you. As the word said love your Lord God with all your heart, might and soul, DO NOT LEAN UP TO YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING AND BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF PRAYER THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL GUIDE YOU AND REVEAL THE TRU MEANING OF THE WORD.

2006-12-22 20:12:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

A Christian is a follow of God... following the example of Jesus and by living by his Word, the Bible. Faith is believing in God even though we can't see him.

2006-12-22 19:19:36 · answer #6 · answered by ~*Princess*~ 1 · 1 0

Perfect Happiness: Now and Forever

[41:30] Those who proclaim: "Our Lord is GOD," then lead a righteous life, the angels descend upon them: "You shall have no fear, nor shall you grieve. Rejoice in the good news that Paradise has been reserved for you.

[41:31] "We are your allies in this life, and in the Hereafter. You will have in it anything you wish for; you will have anything you want.

[41:32] "(Such is your) ultimate abode, from a Forgiver, Most Merciful."
http://www.submission.org/suras/sura41.html



Did Jesus or his Apostles follow a religion called Christianity? Who were the first 'Christians' ? Who founded Christianity and do the teachings of Christianity conform to the teachings of Jesus?

The teachings of Paul, the true founder of Christianity, cannot be found anywhere in the teachings of Jesus or in those of prophets before him.
http://www.thetruecall.com/home/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=122&mode=&order=0&thold=0

2006-12-22 18:55:24 · answer #7 · answered by A2Z 4 · 1 1

Eph 2:8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
Eph 2:9Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Salvation is by faith alone, not by works. The works come after you are saved. They have to do with you mind set. Crusifying your flesh, and becoming Christ Like.

2006-12-22 18:56:03 · answer #8 · answered by ? 7 · 1 0

A Christian by definition is " a man or follower of Christ." I think reading the Bible is the best way to becoming one.

2006-12-22 18:51:37 · answer #9 · answered by LADY ~ 3 · 1 0

There was only ever one true Christian, and that was Jesus Christ himself.

There are too many " Christian " and not enough Christ-like people in this world.

2006-12-22 18:56:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

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