Or are you more than a "name brand" in today's society?
We are to be in the world, yet not of the world...
Do you allow today's "world" do define your relationship with Your God with something as simple as a religion..."Christianity"...
Or do you in fact understand the fullness of your faith?
If you do just accept society's outlook on "Christianity", why?
Is it just a religion to you or is it much more than that?
Honestly... Do you settle for being JUST a "Christian?", a label?
I appreciate your honest, sincere answers. God Bless You. Shalom.
2007-07-27 02:52:57 · 19 answers · asked by TRV 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm not saying that "Christianity" is bad, just wondering if it is just a religion to you, or is it what it's suppose to be?... A Lifestyle?
2007-07-27 02:54:05 · update #1
For you personally, is it about the religion, or about the relationship?
2007-07-27 02:54:45 · update #2
in it but not of it is a hard task, at best.... being a Christian is not about what church we go to, it isnt about 'how we were raised' or what religion our parents are.. .it isnt about sitting in a 'pew' for an hour each sunday...
it is about completely turning our lives over to Christ.... becoming new in Him... by accepting that gift of Grace that only Jesus can give us.
religion isnt important... religious zealots are the ones who called for the death of Jesus.... i don't want to be religious persay, but devoted to Christ... living as He would have me live and turning from the world and the ideals of 'happiness' that it 'offers'. the temporary satisfaction the world gives is nothing compared to the Joy and peace that a relationship with Jesus can bring us.
societies ideas of what Christianity is about is not the 'real picture'... they see denominations and lists of rules given by man.... but that isnt what being a Christian is all about,..,. it is about changing our hearts, and our lives, to line up with God's plan for us.
as for me, I will follow Christ
2007-07-27 03:06:52 · answer #1 · answered by livinintheword † 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Nobody's labeled me yet (me being a pretty recent Christian; it's summer and I stay at home most of the time, so I guess I'll see what people think of me this fall at school).
Most people DO just think "A Christian? Whatever. Separation of church and state!" Now, THAT bothers me, especially when they're making fun of God's people and ignoring what they need to focus on before it's too late (that, and the Constitution DOES NOT actually say "separation of church and state").
I let God define my relationship with Him, not the world (though I'll really need His help with school coming up again).
I don't understand everything about that relationship. I don't think any Christian fully does. For example, can any Christian explain why Jesus loves us?
I don't accept society's outlook on Christianity (the real deal, not all the fake denominations). I believe that there's still a chance for people, and I believe there's a heaven AND a hell (which is in the Bible; most people of today's society seem to believe they are made-up places).
It's more than just a religion to me. Jesus is not a religion. He knows what humans go through; He Himself was one. He was real, so I don't believe in treating Him as just a legend (again, there's today's society for you).
I'm all right with people if they call me a Christian (because I am), but not if they just call me one with no regard to my beliefs. The whole labeling thing just doesn't agree with me.
Good question, by the way.
*EDIT*
With the screwed-up definitions of today's society, I'd rather call myself a "believer", or like a person or two above me, a "follower of Jesus".
*EDIT*
For me personally, it's about the relationship, not the religion. I don't follow the crowd if I don't like what they're doing. Besides, like I already said, Jesus isn't just some "religion".
2007-07-29 11:23:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I faced this question a while ago. I decided I didn't even believe some of the things that many religions do. I was in a quandary. I didn't know what to call me, as my relationship didn't fit any religion. Then I found the Gnostics. I was already living Wicca, so I started saying I was a Christian Witch. These terms are mutually exclusive. Then I was a Witch who believed in the Christian God. Now I'm not sure, how does Gnostic Witch sound?
Blessed Be
2007-07-27 03:04:53 · answer #3 · answered by Linda B 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't like that anyone has to be labeled ,your either a believer or not and that should be good enough but in the world today everyone goes to the extreme to try to change someone when we should love each other as a people and be a good example and show the best side of ourselves.
As a believer in Yeshua I love the fact I can set apart myself and see both sides of the "fence" and give an intelligent answer without telling someone off or they are going to hell. And have respect for an individual and their beliefs. That is what others want is respect. Its their choice.
2007-07-27 03:18:45 · answer #4 · answered by Bobbie 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its a relationship... Christianity is not such a great label to have in todays society..It is also so mixed up among different churches as to what it means and what it is.
I know that when someone really is a 'true' Christian that they want to live a Christ like life and they want to live free from the world.. they do not want to be exposed to the garbage the world tries to feed us... music, movies etc..So while it is a personal relationship with God/Jesus/Holy Spirit it is also a way of life... because you want to live to honor Him.
2007-07-28 09:30:21 · answer #5 · answered by Nicole B 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I personally am not a christian but i think that i can boldly say that most people just where the label of being a christian. Now, this isn't a trend that has just started happening, no. This has be going on for centuries and i think the amount of true christians and decreased a lot.
2007-07-27 03:04:37 · answer #6 · answered by jay g 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't like society's stereotype on Christianity. It's very offensive to say that I don't "know how to have fun" and that I am "boring" because that's far from the truth; I really don't appreciate peoples ignorance. I am a Christian and it's not just religion to me, it's a way of life.
2007-07-27 02:57:04 · answer #7 · answered by The Emperor 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A Christian should be full of the Spirit and be led and be transformed by the Holy Spirit to be more and more like Jesus day by day. He can then come to the stage that he can declare that is no longer he that lives but Christ that lives in him and that he is really living out the new creation life in Christ Jesus. He then be light and salt to the world.
2007-07-27 03:19:28 · answer #8 · answered by seekfind 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have a personal relationship with God because of what Jesus did for me. I talk to him all day long. I love that he gets a kick out of me. I don't care what others think. I'm proud to be a Christian. Who cares about labels. It's not important.
2007-07-27 02:58:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No. I settle for the Holy Spirit confirmation in my spiritman that I am a child of God, where I can pray to God my Father in Heaven 24/7. And I can pray to Jesus also 24/7. In the Spirit & honestly from my heart.
2007-07-27 02:56:24 · answer #10 · answered by t_a_m_i_l 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Seven years ago that is about where I was at, then one day the Lord said to me, "Mathew 6:33. You know this stuff. Why aren't you doing it?"
You have heard of extreme sports. I practice extreme Christianity. And, no. It is not just a religion. It's not a religion at all.
It's life.
;)
2007-07-27 03:19:50 · answer #11 · answered by Caveman 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋