a mile long. Or they are abusers/ murders/thievfies?
And the same group would tell others how to live???
2007-10-24 06:15:18 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
We believe in salvation and redemption, and we believe that Christ's presence in a person's life changes that person. We believe that through the Holy Spirit, we are made a new creation. And most of us don't classify degree of sin. Sin is sin, and it all divides us from God. The specifics are your personal journey and your own testimony. We rejoice with them when Christ enters their life. Forgiveness comes from God, so who are we to withhold it from them?
2007-10-24 06:31:58 · answer #1 · answered by lizardmama 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Those who have wandered farthest from leading a good life, and managed to find their way back, may be better able to guide others than those who have never been in their shoes.
After all, look at AA, former alcoholics helping those who currently are addicted. The same applies to former gang members who help young people get out of that lifestyle.
Some minister or social worker who sat in college until they had a graduate degree before going into the real world, can't begin to have as much influence as those who have personally been there.
2007-10-24 13:54:51 · answer #2 · answered by Mark S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because when a person is born from above...born of His Spirit, cleansed by His blood, joint heirs with King Jesus & part of the family of God... Then they are dressed in Christ righteousness.
They are made the righteousness of Christ. Even though the old man used to be an abuser, murder or thief; they aren't that anymore. They are a new man in Christ & washed clean by His blood.
2007-10-24 13:21:22 · answer #3 · answered by t_a_m_i_l 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some people see the light after a long time of living in the darkness.
2007-10-24 13:19:39 · answer #4 · answered by OldGringo 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Everyone has the "right" to be Christian. Jesus (who seems like a good authority on the matter) hung out with all sorts of unsavory and marginalized people. Christianity insists all people are imperfect. It's a state of being. Trying to determine levels of imperfectness seems to me to be counterproductive.
2007-10-24 14:45:39 · answer #5 · answered by Nightwind 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
any one can become christian if they accept Jesus into their live there past no longer counts. we are all sinners and saying some one has done worse than you does not make you any better. it is often those who have done the worst who see most clearly why the need Jesus.
the problem is more the many who claim to be christian who do not know Jesus and think they can earn heaven by their own efforts
2007-10-24 13:22:50 · answer #6 · answered by Mim 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We aren't Christians because we are perfect. We are Christians because we have repented of those sins and put our faith in Jesus. He forgives those things and makes us into new people. Salvation isn't earned...it is a gift offered even to the most wicked people around.
When Jesus was crucified He was nailed between two thieves. One thief repented of his sins and believed in Jesus. Jesus saved his soul on the spot and told him "this day shalt thou be with me in paradise". The man was a thief! And yet he was saved. That is the grace of God, my friend. It isn't earned. That's why it's grace!
Jesus himself said this: "They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Mark 2:17) Perfect, sinless people don't need saving. Wicked sinners do.
Hope this helps!
2007-10-24 13:23:12 · answer #7 · answered by Blue Eyed Christian 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not man that tells us how to live, but the Bible. And all those with criminal records are considered Christians if they believe in Christ...He is their righteousness and atonement covering....
2007-10-24 13:20:08 · answer #8 · answered by whitehorse456 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"Let he who is without sin cast the first time" is the first thing to come to mind.
Jesus' message to Barabbas on the cross also comes to mind.
The overall message that he came to save us from our sin also is significant.
Now... are you talking about people who used to offend and have reformed? Or are still offending? The latter are not christians by any stretch; hypocrites.
2007-10-24 13:31:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many criminals turn to religion for guidance. In fact, I see it as one of the good things religion has done. They aren't able to own up to their own set of values, so they turn to eternal punishment/reward to help limit their actions in life.
If it works, it works. More power to them. If religion can turn a criminal into an upstanding citizen, that's a good thing.
2007-10-24 13:19:34 · answer #10 · answered by Armless Joe, Bipedal Foe 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋