Why do Christians...?

Question

Why do Christians, who want to disassociate themselves from a religious problems or scandals, make the claim that other Christians are not real Christians. The following are perfect examples of what I am talking about.

TopPotts - "Just because people say they're Christians doesn't mean they are. Christian means to be like Christ. So those committing crimes are not truly Christians."

Margherita - "Not all Christians are of Christ."

Crabby_b - "These people--the leaders, I mean, are not real Christians."

According to the bible, everyone sins regardless of how godlike they try to be. To be a true Christian, all one has to do is believe in Jesus and God and try to live according to what the bible says or means to them. Just because someone sins, and you all do, or has a different interpretation of the bible, does not make them any less of a Christian. Besides, isn't it a sin to judge others?

If committing a sin is all it takes to disqualify one from being a Christian, how can any of you claim to be Christians. I am starting to think they do not exist. True Christians, that is.

Ya_who_00,

You say, "YOU ARE ONLY PRETENDING TO BE RELIGIOUS!!!"

I am not sure if you are directing this towards me specifically, but if so, I would like to say that I am not pretending anything. I am an atheist, who has had biblical education, and I have never made the claim of being a Christian. I only ask this, in an attempt, at understanding why some Christians do certain things. If you feel otherwise, I would like you to point out exactly where, you feel I have tried to falsely lead people into believing that I am
a Christian or even religious for that matter.

Answer 1

Hypocritical aren't they? Now you know why there are so many atheists.

Answer 2

Hey good question, I don't know if i should give my answer but based on my understanding here it goes.

The reasons for this, I believe, are the occasions in which people inquire about Christianity. Some one asked before about the Spanish Inquisitions. And that was one response. I've given that response a number of times. Though the statement does hold true, I don't mean it as judgmental. And I know I've used it out of context in the past. While in their hearts they may believe they are serving the Lord. Kind of like the old scenario, If Jesus spoke to you and said go kill one hundred people... So really those who taught this practice are really the ones I'm talking about. Since the student will learn from the one who teaches.

And I don't think it's a sin to judge others, just not a good to do unless your perfect.

Oh also there is only one truth! So do not think you are saved if you try to live according to what the bible "means to you." I'm not sayin your wrong, but that sounds like a man made notion.

Answer 3

You are right that we are all sinners. Some are saved by God's grace and they are called "Christians." Others are unsaved sinners and they are enemies of God. Others use the identification to decieve others, and some deceive even themselves. It's not a matter of committing a sin, it's a matter of living there. Being an unrepentant sinner that steals and lies, and behaves as Satan, then says, "I'm a Christian." Just as we have insane people who think they are the president when they are not. Just saying so doesn't make them so.

The defense that is often used about some Christians not being real Christians is a biblical one:
Matthew 7:15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.

So we do judge by fruits. Can a real Christian fail us big time and do something hideous and still be saved, of course. But what Christians get defensive about is when some idiot does something and then everyone points the finger at Christians and stereotypes them all as being that way. Maybe the criminal was not a real Christian, but one in name only. Maybe they were real Christians, but real bad Christians in that example. Either way, it doesn't represent true Christian teaching because that is from Christ, perfect and holy. All we can do is to try, by God's help, to strive for that sttandard, knowing we never will till Christ returns.

Answer 4

Please allow me (A Hindu) to say this.
YOU ARE ONLY PRETENDING TO BE RELIGIOUS!!!

What does "Christian" mean?
It means "Like Christ".
Yet you follow what the Clergy says, you fast, you read the bible for hours, you do everything that makes you "feel" religious" - but NONE OF YOU TRY TO BE LIKE CHRIST.

You have a treasure in your Bible. You know how to read by yourself and God has given you an independant mind. (This is evident from the many scientific advancements you have made.) YET WHEN IT COMES TO RELIGION, YOU WILL PREFER SOME MAN-COACHED MAN-ELECTED SELF-APPOINTED PREACHER TO TELL YOU THE MEANING ON A SUNDAY.

I would suggest - just stop pretending to be so very religious and try to live a simple life - as close to Christ as possible. Give less importance to what the church says and more to what your inner-voice says. Your factions will vanish and so will the atheists in your midst. So will your confusions !!

STOP calling yourselves sinners. If you really believe in Christ, you cannot be a sinner.
STOP believing the clergy who make you weak, so that you give more importance to them. (They are usually people who could not succeed in other walks of life and found an easy profession).
STOP getting confused with what is right and what is wrong - and simply open up to your inner voice, where God speaks.
STOP trying to change people of other (equally good) religions and change yourselves first.

(Sorry - didn't mean to hurt any sentiments. Only to put forth a valid point)

Answer 5

Well, here's the deal. Some "Christians" do not really love God. They like to be judgemental and look righteous in front of other people. Also, some "Christians" do not really know God or have a relationship with God, and some think that they can save themselves by their own good deeds. If you think you're going to heaven because you are good, you're not a Christian because Christians know that they are sinful and can only rely on Jesus's death to save them.

Also, when you know God, it changes you. I'm not saying that Christians can't sin, but they should at least grow spiritually and get to be better people as time goes by. When you are a Christian and you make a mistake and sin, that's one thing, when you are Christian and you continue to keep doing bad things, something is wrong.

Answer 6

Good points.
I would take your definition of 'Christian' as the correct one and your points regarding sin as also correct.

That said, there are a lot of people who claim faith who do not act in faith. That may be the result of plain human weakness or immaturity. Or, it may be that they do not take the same definition of what it means to be a Christian. Many of our churches are populated by people who go to church because it is habit, because they think it's the 'right thing to do', because of its social aspects or for a number of other reasons that have nothing to do with personal faith in or relationship to Christ.

It would, however, be a mistake to attempt to judge their relationship or lack thereof by one or two outward actions. Jesus warns us not to judge. We cannot know what is in the heart and mind of another or how God may be working in that person to bring him/her into holiness. (C.S. Lewis was right -- God tells us no one's story but our own) His grace is an immensely powerful influence and I think we have to be patient and give it time to work.

I don't think we can expect such gracious behavior from those outside the faith, however. Which is why it's so important for us to live lives that are as holy as we can manage.

Answer 7

I dont believe this theology. You are right, everyone sins and makes wrong decisions. I think what seperates those who know the Lord from those who dont is the desire to try not to sin. Ofcourse they still do, but they make a conscious effort not to. And when they do sin, they feel guilty and ask for forgiveness to God, or whomever the did wrong towards.

When people dont really know the Lord, they keep committing their sin with no desire to stop.

Answer 8

A lot of people don't realize that Christians belong to different denominations, and each denomination is independent. Associating a scandal at ORU with Roman Catholicism, for example, is like associating Scotland with a scandal in the California senate.

Answer 9

Once a Christian, we are Christ's.

Let me clarify something for everyone. Although we sin, we are perfect. Paradox? Listen closely.

Christ died. True? Now let's take it a step further. If Christ became our sin, then who do we become?

We take on a new reformation, a new transformation. We become like Christ. We take on Christ's perfection and purity. This is how we are given Heaven. We take on Christ's purity.

Once a Christian, we are Christ's. We are given purity. We still sin...but Christ's death paid the price for all the sin. Even future sins are paid for.



Once a Christian.........we are Christ's.

Answer 10

There are many that claim Christianity, Preach the sermons, sing the songs and so forth and all it has to do with is making money.
I'm sorry, but that's not Christianity in my book.

Answer 11

It's all about your "heart" and only God knows our individual hearts. We are not to judge, however, if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck it is probably a duck. You will know a true christian by the kind of "fruit" they produce.