Okay. I know. It's a terribly deep question and just answering it fullly would grind your fingers to nubs. Sorry. But here's my problem...
Christianity, from the outside, is a very small and narrow world. You believe in Christ, go to church, read the Bible and *poof* you're a Christian. But once you are inside Christianity it's a whole lot bigger. There's hundreds and thousands of churches and denominations and they all see the Christian life differently. I'm a little lost. Is being Christian sacramental like Catholics and Orthodox? Is it liturgical? What about morality? Please paint me a picture of the Christian life with your words.
2007-01-05 09:56:20 · 16 answers · asked by YourMom 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You ask a very good question. Being a Christian is not a list of do's and don'ts. It's not a "way" to look good to God. It's not a moral decision. And it's not "fire" insurance. There are MANY (if not most) people who call themselves Christians that are not, giving Christianity such a bad name and reputaion that is the source of the rage against it. Actually the rage is against false christainity and the false church. Sorry, but WIDE is the gate and NARROW is the way that leads to life and FEW find it.
I don't believe in Christ because of a "head knowlege" decision because of the "facts" of what Christ did, or I didn't choose him because "If I don't I'll go to hell". HE chose ME. My heart was changed and am now in love with him for who He is. He is beautiful, awesome, full of grace and mercy. He is the source of my Joy and a delight to my soul. I am totally satisfied in Him and my pursute of Him makes me happy, and the more I get to know and serve Him, the more happy I become and the more glory I give to him! This is what has been termed "Christian hedonism". Everybody wants to be happy. But true, satisfying happiness comes only by knowing Christ and glorifying God. To get a REAL explaination on what REAL Christianity is go to desiringgod.org
To truely love everyone, to want to make them blessed. To show Christ in your life by serving them and to help them, to be a friend in need. To sacrifice for them and even to die for them. To give Christ the glory in everything we do, THAT is Christianity.
2007-01-05 10:28:24 · answer #1 · answered by ἡ ἐκλογὴ 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is how I see my christianity....
What mostly matters is your personal relationship with God. No one can tell you how to belive or have faith...it has to be something you feel inside...just like when you love someone. As far as churches go...i dont think God cares what kind of church you go to but the bible does say we are supposed to gather together to fellowship and worship....I also think that you have have to go with what you feel with your morals....you will read what is right and wrong in your bible....if you have accepted Christ then the Holy Spirit is there to guide you through the rights and wrongs...
I have just came to realize that God knows we are not perfect and he has already accepted us the way we are....we are the ones that need to accept ourselves...
God can and will change us in time...when you become a christian you dont have to make all these drastic changes all at once that could just lead to letdown....God is the one that does the changes and he does it on his time...and his way...
The best things I could tell you is sit back and relax....pray as much as possible and invite the Lord into everything you do...even silly stuff like "be with me while I go to the grocery"...it really does help...the more you talk to him the stronger your bond will get...
Remember also no one is perfect and the only one that is...is Jesus...and dont get discouraged when other people try to judge you because they will and its not there place and it doesnt matter what they think....
sorry for rambling on...hope this helps!
2007-01-05 18:06:53 · answer #2 · answered by jaylee0523 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Number 1 you don't just go to church, read the bible and *poof* youre a christian as you say, it doesnt happen that way. every one sins, thats the way it is so the reason y we go to church is to ask for forgiveness and become saved and lead a christian life as defined in the bible not what boukenger said its not based on "your opinion" thats what religion is,like catholic, methodist and jewish and so on. you need to define your life as jesus says you need to starting with the famous TEN COMMANDMENTS.but a christains life is not always as stuck up as it sounds. Have you ever been to a pentcostal church? thats where i go and we live a free happy life!! i love being a christian. i have seen more wonderful things happen in my life like my husband and wonderful baby girl. dont get all worked up about it RELAX and just remember to pray. dont force things to happen in your life and take the first step HE WILL DO THE REST!!! im sorry its so long and im sorry that people point you in the wrong way just look above for guidance and in your heart the flesh may stear you wrong if you have any more questions just turn to a christain channel and call the 800 number there are more people there who can answer your questions better and with more knowledge jesus loves you and so do I!
2007-01-05 18:16:39 · answer #3 · answered by Faith 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Christian to me is someone who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I believe the Bible paints of a vague picture of the Christian lifestyle, but doesn't give you the full play by play. I think it's up to your own moral standards to decide what is right and what is wrong. As long as you believe in Jesus and have that personal relationship to him, that's all that matters. What is right for some may not seem right for another.
Hope that helps.
2007-01-05 18:00:47 · answer #4 · answered by Taylor 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
:) well, i had grown up in christianity my whole life. but i didn't quite Understand it... i mean yes, Jesus died for our sins, we must be baptized, yadayadayada. but what did it MEAN to me? so i fell away in high school and college.... but, somehow, the question of Who God was, if He was real, lingered in my mind. and it made me feel guilty to Question it.
i decided, on spur of the moment, to ask my friend what church he went to and if i could tag along. it's a very small church, and at the time i was the only girl. the pastor was very, Very different from all the other churches i've ever been to: Funny, Outgoing, Controversial, Open Minded, Talked about Everything from the bible, to sex, to men and women's roles in relationships, etc etc... at first i was a bit taken aback (i'm more used to conservative christian churches), but i came to understand and realize that he was trying to teach us something "new"... that maybe, just maybe, following all the rules and regulations wasn't the key to Walk with God... but Rejoicing and living with Thanksgiving in God's Grace! have u ever heard a sermon saying that everyday, REJOICE in Jesus' sacrifice! the happier u are, the more u live ur life and enjoy what God's created for us, that is showing our gratefulness to Jesus for dying on the cross??
i had always been taught to Feel Guilty; that Jesus was sent down cuz we were so awful, such sinful beings, He was so innocent.. and i felt sad. i felt like a horrible person. i used to pray for repentence each day for being a bad christian.. and we wonder why people "hate" being in a religion..?? it's SO NEGATIVE!
when i heard this new pastor saying that we can rejoice in God's Grace and mercy, i felt.... relieved. that i can keep trying to be a good Christian, and that is showing thankfulness and joy, not punishment and guilt. if u have a chance, please read Romans 5-8. it Literally changed my whole outlook on christianity. :)
and i do believe that the more questions u have, it is Good. the more u learn, understand, and apply to ur daily life, the stronger Person you will become. but do it all with an Open mind. do not ever condemn other religions, other christians, for thinking differently. we are all entitled to our own opinion. as long as we seek waht is Good, Positive, Healthy and Happy, i believe it will be our saving grace. there are christians out there who do not konw how to be Positive or seek Goodness, only follow rules and regulations to Condemn others. i do not believe that they are right.
long story short, keep searching and u will find~ after learning all this, i LOVE this life. i find humanity and earth so extremely fascinating, and thru all the good and bad that happen in this world, i feel truly blessed to be here, experiencing what i am experiencing.. it is truly awesome. :) lots of people complain about their life... and even tho my life is not perfect, and others' aren't either.. i don't think i could imagine it any other way. good luck to all of us to continue seeking and keeping an open mind.. no matter who is right or wrong, it is ok, because human minds are flawed (we are not perfect). let's not worry so much about who goes to heaven or who doesnt', but to focus on the life we have now and treat it as a treasure~
2007-01-05 18:07:22 · answer #5 · answered by sasmallworld 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my own words....Christianity is Jesus. Asking Jesus to be your savior is #1. Following through on fellowshipping in a church body and maturing (knowledge and understanding of the Word) is major. Denominations, yes, there are a multitude, but I chose to look for a denomination I could be comfortable in and when I found home over 20 years ago it really fit =) There is no *poof* in my opinion, you have to honestly wholeheartedly give your heart to Jesus, no doubts about it. Prayers =)
2007-01-05 18:01:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a Christian means following God's holy inspired word , The HOLY BIBLE. That is how God himself speaks to us today. He tells us exactly how and when to worship. As True Christians we follow and do only what God authorizes us to do through his word.
I am a faithful Christian and member of the Church of Christ in Pa.
Email me if you are sincerely interested in sharing the gospel. I would truly love to help you anyway possible to understand what being a Christian really means.
See my profile.
friend in PA
2007-01-05 18:06:12 · answer #7 · answered by Penny Mae 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is not deep nor lengthy .it is quite simple but the road is hard.first you must be baptize.then you must learn to love everyone even those who hate you .the hard part for you seems to be understanding all the different dogma that surrounds Christianity.ignore it ,all you need to do is focus your study on gods word,the bible.here lies the truth in following god.just remember that with any discipline you will need a teacher.so seek one out. even when you find that teacher make sure you check out what he/she is trying to teach you.this is not a lazy man religion.
2007-01-05 18:16:32 · answer #8 · answered by zachary b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know the answer, but I know if you go to a minister or priest, you'll get an answer. Try out different churches, see which one you like.
Any church, even non-Christian houses of worship, you'll find lots of good people. I recommend it.
2007-01-05 17:59:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christian life is different for each individual. But the basic idea is obedience to God. If God lets you know what you are doing right or wrong then listen to Him. If things aren't clear then search it out.
2007-01-05 17:59:51 · answer #10 · answered by Fish <>< 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋