People who claim to be Christians but you wonder because they say and do things contrary to Christianity or you see that they're religion is based on works and not faith? Does this bother anyone especially when it's a family member you see frequently?
2007-02-25 01:52:00 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Lots of great answers from people I can tell walk the walk. It will be hard to choose best answer.
2007-02-25 02:49:42 · update #1
Its a dangerous place to be, the bible says, I would that you were hot or cold, but because you are neither cold nor cold, I will spew you out of my mouth. I wouldn't want God to vomit me out of His mouth, so I would strive to be hot or cold.Black or white, if you prefer, but not Gray.
2007-02-25 01:56:26 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is so common for people to adhere to Christianity without ever being regenerated. Billy Graham and others suggest that maybe 20% of church members are truly born again. But we can't tell the wheat from the tares, so we grow together until the harvest. If they have not been enlightened by the Holy Spirit, we can't expect them to understand the things of God, but we should be careful not to assume this is their state, unless we have that particular gift of discernment. I don't have it. So I try to look at myself, I find myself falling short, and I try to follow Him more closely. Let's just encourage each other and pray for those that God has placed in our lives. But yes, I do know many people who say they are believers but seem to be trusting in their own efforts rather than the grace of God.
2007-02-25 10:03:34 · answer #2 · answered by celebduath 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it bothers me that there are a lot of people out there who are Christian in name only, they confess with their mouth, but their heart is far from God. They in reality are no more Christian than any other non-believer in the world.
My mom is Catholic, which is heavily works based. Of course I don't think a true Christian, who God has sent the Holy Spirit to, can lose their salvation....I think scripture is clear on eternal security, but my mom would disagree....I think that's what the Catholic church teaches them...that they can lose the free gift that God has given. I think when people say this they are flat out calling God a liar and the truth is not in them.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Just as the Law of God is the stumbling block to righteousness for the Jews, works based religion has become the stumbling block to righteousness (salvation) for some sects of Christianity. What both Jew and Christian must realize before it's too late is that God has removed that stumbling block. It is faith in Christ alone that removes the block. Jews will die in their sin trying to follow the Law ( no man can-there is not one righteous or good person among us, they have all failed to keep God's Laws) and Christians will die in their sin trying to gain salvation through works (works are filthy rags to God, works won't save you)....both will be left wanting. Both need to put their faith entirely in the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ....Faith is what yields righteousness and salvation.
2007-02-25 10:49:08 · answer #3 · answered by JohnC 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is true that Christianity is based on faith, but true faith produces good works. What I see a lot of is people that are Christians on Sunday only.
2007-02-25 09:55:35 · answer #4 · answered by supertop 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
God is at work in everyone - saved, unsaved, those at various stages of growth. We are to love them regardless. God uses us at times to pray, reprove, instruct, bless, etc. concerning other people. We should be sure by prayer that we are doing God's will, and not becoming a stumbling block, or to grieve the Spirit. If it is of ourselves and what we think, such as an attempt to control them, our motives could be wrong.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight."
2007-02-25 10:07:12 · answer #5 · answered by Bill Mac 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yep, bothers me too! Was married to one of them. Talked the talk, but just didnt carry it through into home life. Maturity would be the one that see's it, realizes it, and then prays for that person. The world is full of this type......but according to the word they simply have to call upon the Name to be "saved". We have all fallen short, and should be careful not to judge. Sounds as though they thing they are more mature than their fruit would suggest.
2007-02-25 10:11:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
There are a lot of people who fall in to this category. I think they are the lukewarm Christians that Jesus warns us not to be. Better to be hot or cold then lukewarm.
They use Christianity to their benefit, but when it doesn't suit them, they conveniently put Jesus in their pocket.
2007-02-25 09:58:07 · answer #7 · answered by Misty 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the mature thing to do is pray for them. not criticise because it doesnt do either person any good.
everyone has their own path and level of maturity or immaturity. and not all can be forced to walk at the same pace.
2007-02-25 10:03:28 · answer #8 · answered by opalist 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Who goes to heaven or Hell presently is God's call, not my call!!!!
May you receive there today a large pleasant surprise today to God's glory!!!
2007-02-25 09:57:54 · answer #9 · answered by jefferyspringer57@sbcglobal.net 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christens are not allowed to have a gray area you are either in or out.
2007-02-25 09:56:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋