how you tell if someone is a "real" christian or not? I always see in here "that person wasn't a christian" It seems like everyone is a claiming to be a christian but yet they speak with lies and hate speech. Or you toss them off as trolls just because they said something mean. why can't they admit they're mean? no one agrees on what makes a christian a christian. how can you tell?
2007-04-11 15:31:53 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
the troll below proves my point....
2007-04-11 15:35:49 · update #1
based on their faith on atonement they are supposed to be sinners. The problem lies actually the creed of chrsitianity. and they really are chrisitans
2007-04-11 15:43:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
By their fruit you shall know them. This is what the Bible says about how to know who is a Christian. In other words, by their actions. Talk is cheap if you aren't walking the walk that the Lord Jesus did. If one is speaking with lies and hate, I venture to say, they are not, though it is not for me to judge, Only for God to judge. Most can not admit they are wrong because they have not yet really followed Christ. Being a Christian is more than a word, more than attending church on Sunday and more than doing a couple good deeds. One who truly follows Christ and has been saved strives to be like Christ and knows what Christ taught. They don't just quote the Bible, any one can read, they live their life according to the standards that Jesus Christ commanded and lived. It is not to say that a Christian will never be sinful, as they are human and are not perfect or sinless. They will however, be really sorry when they do sin and they will admit it and really try not to repeat it. They will be humble servants and try to live to be a blessing to others, not looking to glorify themselves, but to glorify God by obeying and loving. Hope this helps.
2007-04-11 17:21:12 · answer #2 · answered by Gardener for God(dmd) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its true, the cults like Jw's, and Mormons, picked up the term Born Again Christian, as recently as 15 years ago. You need to be in the word, and know what to watch for in a Christian.
To say I believe in Jesus , does not make you a Christian. The Bible says to try all spirits and see if they are of God.
When I try a spirit I have the person confess that they believe in the Deity of Christ, and his shed blood. If they cant do that most likely they think Christ was a man, or a prophet of some sort.
It takes a Christian to know a Christian.
Jesus is Lord.
2007-04-11 15:47:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sometimes it's hard to tell. Jesus said to let the wheat (righteous) and tares (unrighteous) grow up together until the harvest. The tares sometimes look like the wheat - and vice versa sometimes, unfortunately.
God is the One Who ultimately knows for sure. But I think there are some clues. One is that, unlike the Pharisees, the righteous should practice what they preach and lead by example rather than critique.
Jesus also said people would know His disciples by their love for each other.
False teachers will be known by their fruits.
We don't have to agree or decide who's who. That's God's job.
2007-04-11 15:55:59 · answer #4 · answered by Contemplative Chanteuse IDK TIRH 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A real christian believes in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. All Christians make mistakes so they might speak hate or lie but if they do it all the time that is bad and they are not strong christians.
2007-04-13 11:11:27 · answer #5 · answered by Niki B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1- If they say they are, then they likely are, or at least want to be.
2- There is a hymn we used to sing in church: "They'll know we are Christians by our love." This is a pretty good way to tell too. If the person is a loving person, emulating Christ, it is a good sign. Of course, there are wonderful people out there who are not Christians too - loving, good Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, humanists, etc.
So---- If the person says they are Christian and acts in a Christian (Christ-like) manner, I would say they are a good, true Christian.
2007-04-11 15:49:50 · answer #6 · answered by Brooklyn NYC 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can never tell if someone is a real Christian or not, only God can. It's between that person and God. The Bible says not to judge people, because no one knows whats in someone's heart besides God. Just because you know someone believes Jesus died for us doesn't mean they're Christians. Only God knows and he doesn't want us to try to judge them ourselves. He wants us to witness to people, and if someone laughs at you and says no, you still made a difference because you planted a seed in their heart that God will make grow. Telling someone about Jesus always makes a difference.
2007-04-11 15:44:29 · answer #7 · answered by Kaitlyn. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basically, what makes a true Christian is their belief in Christ. Do they believe that Jesus was exactly who He said He was? Do they believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He came to the earth in order to die as a sacrifice for our sins, so we could be with God the Father in heaven for all eternity. Are they what's called "born again"? That's when you accept Jesus into your heart and life; you become what we call dead to sin, and alive in Christ. You have a new life. You begin to see things differently, thanks to the Holy Spirit in you. You become desperate for Him; all you want is to be close to Jesus. A true Christian will confess gladly, with a smile on his/her face, that they do believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died on the cross to rescue us from sin, and that He rose again from the dead three days after His death (just as He promised He would). If they're not living life as a Christian, then they're not really Christian. You can't just talk the good talk. You have to walk the walk.
2007-04-12 08:21:02 · answer #8 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really can't tell if a person is a Christian 100%.
However, the Bible does say "You will know them by their fruits." (Matthew 7:16, NASB)
But it also relates a parable about a field with good seed and weeds sown together, and warns us not to prematurely pluck any of the plants, as in doing so, one might inadvertently kill a good plant. (Matthew 13:24-30)
2007-04-11 16:11:29 · answer #9 · answered by azania1994 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're serious about figuring out what makes a person a "real" Christian (instead of someone who falsely claims to be), feel free to e-mail me, and I'll send you show you where in the Bible you can find passages that answer your question.
2007-04-11 15:42:05 · answer #10 · answered by chdoctor 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A Christian is someone who is like everyone else except for the fact that their sins are covered under the blood of Jesus. For all have come short of the glory of God. All of us are sinners. We we always be sinners, even after accepting Jesus. Do the best you can and keep your eyes on Him.
2007-04-11 15:37:58 · answer #11 · answered by Adam B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋