'Real Christians' would never [do this] or [do that] - therefore 'real Christians' are nearly perfect. Right?

Question

Anytime a Y!A question comes up about porn, Hitler, homosexuality, drugs, slavery, etc, it is said my many Christians that the people described in the question "aren't real Christians".

But then the same Christians turn around and say "we are all sinners in the eyes of the Lord".

So my question here is: what kind of sins do "real Christians" perpetrate? Like is farting in Church the worst thing you've ever done since being saved? Or perhaps knowingly using an expired coupon and not telling the cashier?

Since the hard core sins of looking porn, genocide, slavery, cheating on one's wife with hookers, propositioning men for sex and crystal meth, propositioning men for sex in an airport men's room, are sins that have never been committed by "real Christians", what is the worst sin a real Christian has ever committed?

Answer 1

Looking on with lust to another person
Taking the Lord's name in vain
Not keeping the Sabbath Holy
Not honoring Mother and Father

Answer 2

Oh I've commited plenty of sins (and sin is sin there are no degrees of sin, like it's impossible to be a little bit pregnant) but there's not point in listing them or dragging them out because I know I'm forgiven for each and every one of them and they are as far from me as the east is from the west.

Alot of times when those types of questionst about porn, Hitler, homosexuality... are posed it a "would you ever..." type of question and the answer is No. No real Christian would ever knowingly and willfully do such things. That's not saying we don't have our weaknesses we are only human but if you ask me as a Christian to participate in something that I know is a sin I will refuse.

Answer 3

Maybe the point many are trying to make when they say, for instance, "Hitler wasn't a real Christian" is that he used Christianity as an excuse to do horrible things, as did slave owners. They took the Bible out of context, gave it a spin to suit their own way of living, and called themselves Christians.

Maybe the better way to say it would be that these people, who committed (and continue to commit) sins do not follow Christ's teachings. The words "I'm sorry" mean that you won't do it again. If you are sorry that you watched pornography, or cheated on your wife, it means you won't do it again. Saying I'm sorry with the intention of continuing to commit the same sin is lying - to yourself, those you say you love, and God. So, you wouldn't be following the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Shorthand - you aren't a "real Christian".

Followers of Christ have committed all manner of sin. There is an old cliche I'm sure you've heard: "Christians aren't perfect, they're just forgiven." Who better to help one addicted to (anything) than one who has been there, done that, and recovered? Really.

What is the worst sin I have committed ? - that is between me and God - and I am forgiven - and I will not repeat that sin. Will I sin again, undoubtedly. Will I be forgiven again, absolutely. But the sins I commit are less harmful to me now that I follow Christ than those I committed prior to knowing Him as my savior.

Just a little FYI (you may already know this) : Paul who wrote several books of the New Testament was a persecutor of Christians (named Saul of Tarsus) before his conversion on the road to Damascus. He had followers of Christ killed and thought it was his personal life mission to exterminate the sect. He did all that before he was confronted by the Holy Spirit, and was forgiven - by God's grace. He was a new man, a completely different person after God intervened in his live.

We all sin, we all can be forgiven; and, today, "I'm sorry" still means "I won't do that again" - just as it did in the first century, in Paul's time.

God bless.

Answer 4

I suppose I can understand your confusion here. It is very true that christians can fall away from the truth and I know with 100% certitude that EVERY single christian will fail at some point. Christians are human beings too.

Even the apostles, the closest friends / followers of Jesus, failed him in nearly every way. They abandoned him in the hardest of times, one (Judas) even betrayed him to his enemies to suffer a horrible death, for just a few coins. And yet, even after that, by his Grace and Love they became strong and unafraid to proclaim his name to everyone, because they believed in Him, in His love and truth. Even Judas the betrayer would have been forgiven if he had not given up hope and taken his own life. "Lord where else shall we go? Who else has the words of Life?" asks Peter. Perhaps we should all ask that.

I think a christian is a person that Perseveres amidst all failure, knowing full well their own weakness, yet clinging to the mercy of God, trying their best to reform their lives and live in a way that is edifying to this world.

Answer 5

All human beings sin even real Christians. The issue is that the bible says we must mortify the sins of the flesh. When we do sin we must not justify it or condone it. We must hate it and try not to do it again. The things you mention like porn, Hitler, homosexuality, if they justify and don't mortify the sin then they are not a true Christian.

Answer 6

I do not partipate in what you list as "hard core" sin, but I have been a Christian long enough to know not to judge those who have. In my personal walk, the hardest battle has been total forgiveness of those who have hurt the ones I love. This is as serious as any of the sin you mentioned. Addicts have more of an excuse in my eyes for their relentless search for the drug than I do for unforgiveness. My thorn in my flesh was my ex daughter-in-law. I knew something was terribly wrong, but she had threatened my then six year old granddaughter not to tell her daddy, my mother or me. She was subjected to the horrors of her mother paying for drugs by prostitution, and left alone at night several times. My son did get full custody of the child, though he suffers from a degenerative bone disease, and is in and out of hospitals. I am raising her to the best of my ability, but forgiving her mother was my first challenge to forgive as I want to be forgiven. As one has already pointed out, sin is sin. I still fall short, but I am learning. Our girl is soon to be nine. She is a great student, makes friends easily and is quite the little horse woman. God has been good to us.

Answer 7

now you got a good question! I'm a christian and will tell you that Ive slipped a few times since being saved. im gonna be straight up & tell you mine. i was at my friends house & on the low trying to tell them not to fornicate by saying "you should go ahead & get married" knowing in my heart what i was really saying. so i 1st judged then turned around a week later & my flesh broke weak and did the same sin they did. talk bout being humbeled down! i felt like a real hypocrite!!!!! i cried and told my brother what i did. (judging & then doing the same) ive had to learn that im NOT perfect, that Christ didnt die in vain. He will forgive me. i try my best not to look down on anyone now. ive been peirced by that 2 edged sword from gossiping. (it wouldnt be gossiping from talking bad bout someone, it would be from saying what they did to me to hurt my feelings) i felt bad bout that too. i dont live or constantly do these things but i have done them since professing to be a christian. let me not forget my anger. ive controlled my actions from anger but i sure hate how i allow it to make me feel! i do sometimes have the fear that i will act out of it how i use to. just thought id be honest or it would make no sense to have answered this question.

Answer 8

Real Christians are real people with real problems. They are just as prone to divorce, child abuse, cheating on taxes, workplace difficulties, and warts as anybody else.

Anyone who tells you differently... well, Jesus had a story about that one...

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matt. 6:3-5)

Answer 9

Sin is sin! Taking a pen from the bank, murdering your grandma, whatever... An action is either sin or it's not, 'degrees' of sin are totally irrelevant. Real Christians committ real sins and 'real' sins, as do 'real Christians'.

Answer 10

its 830 in the morning, and i want a stiff drink already.. to think of an answer to this question this early, takes too many neurons..