"a true christian would never..."?

Question

I often see answers that start with this phrase. Then I ask "what is a true christian?" and I get answers like "someone who believes that Jesus was their savior."

It seems to me that they are saying a "true" christian wouldn't sin, yet they say everyone sins and christians are just forgiven for repenting. But then they say "a true christian would never..."

It just goes around in a circle.

Anyone care to explain the reasoning?

Answer 1

A "true" Christian is one who follows Christ's teaching of love, faith, respect and good will. They do not judge others, they do not condemn others for their actions, they do not shove their religious view down the throats of others, they do not try to convert and when fail to do so become angry and insulting. Every person sins, but yes as a Christian we can ask God for forgiveness, but we must honestly try not to commit the sin again. It is very sad that those of us who follow this guidelines are forced to say we are "true" Christians as ALL Christians should be behaving in this manner. It is definitely unfortunate that so many Christians seem to have forgotten that God is the only one who can judge and He has never given that right to anyone else. I have made these statements before in this forum and often get attacked by other Christians for not witnessing. Witnessing is telling about the love of God, not about forcing one's religious beliefs on other. I hope this helps some to explain. If not please feel free to email me, but honestly all I can give you is my opinion.

Answer 2

A Christian is a person who has accepted Jesus as their Savior. You must CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH and BELIEVE IT IN YOUR HEART. Yes, everyone sins. Even born again Christians. But, when we accept Jesus WE STRIVE to stop our sinful ways. We no longer desire to do the things that we did before. However, since we all still sin, no one can accuse someone of not being a real Christian. That is being judgemental. People can very well be very true Christians and be having a bad day and cuss someone out. Or get tempted to experiment with drugs. So your statement that it is just circular reasoning is correct. I have seen some very real Christians who really sincerely love God make some huge mistakes. And you know what? I have made huge mistakes, too. And it would really upset me if someone said that I was not a true Christian. Because only God knows what is in our hearts, no one else does. And if you claim to know what is in a persons heart or mind, you are a liar.

Answer 3

A true Christian is here in this world as anyone else. He can do wrong too. The difference in a Christian and a non-believer is that he has a relationship with Jesus and his Father. When he or she does wrong they repent and turn away from it. We learn to love and to forgive as well. And that there is a purpose for all of us and meaning for life. A sense of direction.

We have admitted that we are not at all perfect and need help. A Savior. The crooked man-made laws of the land, fines, or penalties don't make us better people. The truth does. Jesus is the truth. Understanding why and how we must change and who we really are is what gives us purpose and makes us children of God. Instead of meaningless animals trying to purify and perfect ourselves by our own crippled degenerate means. Which is impossible. Lab rats don't solve the problems of humanity. People are finding this out the hard way. And it's getting worse, daily.

Only perfection creates perfection. Imperfection cannot even promote perfection because it can't so much as fathom what it is. How can you hit a target without knowing were to aim? Through Jesus we find perfection - role model. Science cannot save us from ourselves. Only God can with our willingness to commit.

God bless

Answer 4

Being a believer doesn't make one immune from the world or its ways. The reasoning is not circular at all. It's merely saying "This is the ideal standard a Christian should strive for", and that is what is meant by a "true Christian". And how do you get from , "someone who believes that Jesus was their Saviour", to it "seems" to you they're saying "a true Christian wouldn't sin"? A sensible Christian would know better than to say something so vague. "Seeming", in the sense you use it, is just another way of blindly assuming, yes?

Answer 5

Most denominations know they should not sin, but have no power against sin. They have never truly been reborn and had that nature removed from them. But to keep up appearances, they resort to statements like you pointed out. Most of a true christians sins. Are thoughts. Moments of envy. Or doing something they didn't know was a sin. But are convicted by the Holy Ghost, so then they know. You've probably never meet a real Christian. I've been working overseas for 2 years and have not seen 1 brother or 1 sister. I haven't run into 1 on here either.

Answer 6

The purpose of salvation is not to make you perfect. Each day--Christians work toward a better life and strive toward the high calling in Christ. If we sin we have a recourse in Jesus--to confess that sin--to walk away from that sin--and continue growing in Christ. Do we all do it the same way--no--are we perfect--no--do all strive toward that goal--no--I don't judge I examine the fruit put forth by that persons walk. If you only look for perfection in a Christian you will be find yourself falling short. Judging is what you are doing--if you have no standards of behavior--no one can look at you and say. "your not being true" A Christian has standards--what do you profess to compare with Christianity??????????

Answer 7

i dont ever think there is a true christian your either one or not. but being a gd one is somethin different, doin what god is pleased to see and repenting when you sin and acknowleding the death of christ and the reason of living and living in the way jesus would want us to according to the bible. also to acknowledge the fact we sin and so ask for forgiveness of it. yes we are supposed to live like jesus did but sinning is our nature and thats wot makes us human and the way we live through our experiences in live again according to God accepting him as lord.
there isnt any point of being a christian if you dont respect what jesus wants i guess. eg you've accepted christ and yet u do things that hurt others
this is what i think can ans. the q. but i have nothing to justify if apart from my own experiences and things i have learnt.
i myself cant really judge what is really right and wrong.

Answer 8

It must be rightfully understood that salvation -eternal life in Christ Jesus - is a free gift of God. However, the wages of sin is still damnation - spiritual death - since sin is opposed to God, the Source of life. Even though heaven is a gift, we can still earn hell.

Expressed in slightly different terms, salvation is a free gift that can be rejected or lost through our sins. Since salvation is a free gift, we cannot earn it through obedience, prayer, good works, love or even faith. However, like any gift, we have the free will to reject it. We can reject this gift through serious sin - willful disobedience to God. (2 Thess 1:8-9; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Gal 5:19-21; 2 Cor 5:10) As it is written in the New Testament:

For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgement,... [Hebrews 10:26-27; NASB]

These are sobering words! As a closing thought, my civil liberty is a gift earned by my forefathers. However, by committing a serious crime, I may lose it and earn jail.

As faithful baptized Christians, we can confidently hope in the redemption wrought by Jesus Christ, as long as we do not reject it through mortal (deadly) sin (1 John 5:16-17; Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21; 2 Peter 2:20-22). As a result of Christ's redemptive act, God gives each of us enough grace to have faith, to do good works and to resist sinful disobedience; however, we can still willfully reject this grace (1 Cor 10:12-13; 2 Cor 12:9; Eph 2:8-10). Fortunately for Catholic Christians, we have the gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) in which we can repent, confess and ask God for forgiveness and more grace, if we have fallen into sin (John 20:23; 2 Cor 5:18-21; Num 5:7; Lev 5:5; Acts 19:18; James 5:16). Jesus calls us to forgive one another without limit (Matt 18:21-22), but also promises to forgive us as we forgive others (Matt 6:12; Luke 11:4). Our Lord is a just but merciful God (Isa 45:21; Jer 3:12). As Christians, we must quit rejecting God through our sins and let Him save us by His grace until we finally reach heaven.

Answer 9

As long as I live in a Carnal Human Body I am gonna Sin, I can't help it, we can't help it, it is Human Nature. But a True Christian is one who understands this fact, and does what he/she can to avoid Sin. There is a difference between one who Practices Sinful Living, and another who is over come, and Fails.

It is also important to note that to be a Christian, one must be Borne Again, that is, they must ask Jesus Christ to forgive their Sins, and Receive Him as their LORD, and Savior. It is after this that one must begin seeking to live for Him, not Self. When one lives for The LORD, and not Self, Sin becomes as repugnant to them as it is to Him.

Answer 10

True Christians still sin... But there is conviction of sin through the Holy Spirit..True Christians will repent of that sin...

Repent means to confess it, ask forgiveness and forsake it...
One who does it over and over and over again has not truly repented..

However the term,"a true Christian" is kind of wishy washy if you ask me... Christ was the only one perfect...while Christians are not..{contrary to what some believe} they should srtive daily to be like Him. Thats called dying to ones self.. Still there are some who walk around as though theirskat don't stink, and I giggle everytime God knocks that block off their shoulder...
But then again that was not your question either...