I'm a Christian...?

Question

This is what I believe, tell me if you think it's okay.

I'm a Christian who believes the most important commandments were to love God, and love your neighbor as you love yourself. That's what it says in the Bible.

I don't go to church except on the occasional holiday, or funerals and baptisms.

I try reading the Bible everyday. I focus on the New Testament. Particularly Christ's word.

I try to love God with my heart and pray as often as I can. I let faith, hope, and particularly love guide my choices. I always forgive those who offend me. I pray for my enemies. I love everyone, even the lost.

My goal in life is to just love my friends in family with all my heart as long as God allows me to do so.

I was recently told off by a local Christian who told me I was a Liberal Christian and the reason the church is losing its power. He basically told me that dogma and strict religious traditions were more important than my loving philosophy.

Do I seem like a good Christian?

Answer 1

Sure Beth, but that part of not going to Church tells me that you are not willing to submit to Biblical instruction that tells us to do that. It doesn't make you a bad person or Christian, but it does show a weakness to be concerned about.

The person who told you off, well the old saying goes, there are 2 sides to every story. But we should be kind to one another and patient as well. Telling people off is not a good idea. There are better ways to communicate with people.

Most importantly, I read what you say about yourself, but what would others who know you well say about you???? The best way to measure your progress as a Spritual child of God, is by reading His Word and comparing the real you to what God wants you too look like.

Other than that, be blessed Beth and a blessing to others, even the mean spirited people who offend you. Easy to love family (most of the time) love those who make you angry, now thats a challenge. Seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and the rest will be added to you!

Sounds like your doing good to me, keep the faith!!!!!

Answer 2

I don't know your heart nor does the local Christian, however I do see some problems with what you've said here that raise a few concerns.

What is your relationship to sin? Are you OK with some of it? Or do you hate it completely?

Do you love other people enough to tell them that they may be in trouble and may end up in a horrible place called hell if they don't seek Jesus and give their lives to Him?

Do you listen to bible-based preaching? Do you fellowship with the saints? These are important things that God will lead you into if you are a child of God.

Is Jesus precious to you? Do you love Him more than your parents, friends, and even your whole life? Do you want Jesus to be precious to you are are you content in your lifestyle as is?

Do you realize that you were a sinner and that you deserve eternal punishment like the rest of us? Do you fear God?

To do a true self-examination, read through the book of 1 John for the next week, and look for the Signs of a Christian, and then compare yourself to that.

For instance, it will say... If you are a child of God then ... Only the children of God will do this. etc... Look for every time it says something like that...

For instance 1 John 2:9 He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness still.
Do you hate anyone?

The purpose of 1 John is so that you have assurance of salvation 1 John 5:13 "I write this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life."

The bible says to examine yourself. So examine yourself with fear and trembling, and if you sin, then repent, turn from your sins and trust that Jesus will forgive you.

Christianity is not a matter of the outward signs, but rather the transformed surrendered soul on the inside. I'll pray for you.

Answer 3

hebrews 10:25 we are not to foresake the assembling ourselves together. here in the end of time. the Bible says God has a remnant church which will be the ones that make it to heaven. that church is the church that keeps the ten commandments of God, including the foruth, and has faith in Jesus Christ. this church will have the everlasting gospel going out to ever nation, kindred and tongue. obey God and live, disobey and die the eternal death. read revelation 14:6-11 the remanant. it is written pray without ceasing. it says in Matthew 24 that as it was in the days of noa(noah) so shall it be until the coming of the son of man( the second coming of Christ) noah the old testament, the second coming new test. so this means the old test is just as binding for us today as the new test is. of course the mosiac laws were done away with at the cross, but the ten commandments were sealed in the ark of God and save to this day.

Answer 4

You may be a good Christian, you may not be. Since I don't know you, I wouldn't be able to answer well.

I do wonder why you don't go to church, though. It is the one place where you can be truly informed about your faith, and to be around like minded people who will encourage you in your faith.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us continue to consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another even more as you see the day coming nearer."

When a Christian separates themselves from the Body of Christ, they not only deny the church the gifts that they could bring to the table, they open themselves up to attack.

Satan and his minions are a lot like pack animals; wolves, hyenas, and the like. They never hunt fairly. They will stalk the weak, the sick, and the lame. When one of these is separated from the herd or flock, that's when the pack attacks. 5, 8, maybe even 10 predators to one. This is why Peter taught us, "Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." (I Peter 5:8) If you allow Satan to have his way with you, your faith will be unproductive and perhaps even die.

There are naturally times where you can't make it to church, but that should be the exception and not the rule. As to whether dogma, etc., is more important than love, etc., I must say, both are important. False teachers abound in this day and age.

Answer 5

Beth,

The One you are accountable to is Yeshua (Jesus) Himself... not to people who want to remake you into their image.

However, the Bible does say, in Hebrews 10:25

"25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

If you find a good pastor who is humble, believes the Bible, and believes in prayer and loving people, then you should start a regular habit of attending services.

It is like a plant saying, "I like dirt and water but only get sunshine a couple of times a year."

God knows what you need to be the healthiest and to help you grow and give your gifts to others.

Don't worry, Beth. You are doing well so far... but don't stop there. Give God your obedient attendance, too. That provides safety and instruction for you.

Shalom to you.

Answer 6

Yes, you are a good Christian. I'm a Christian and I agree with many of the things you said. The fundamentalists have made Christianity an outlet for their bigotry and politics than the actual word of Jesus. Many will call you a 'red letter Christian' or you 'cherry pick' the Bible. But is better to focus on what Christ said than what the Old Testament said. After all, we are not bound by Old Testament laws. We are Christians.

Answer 7

Being a christian is not all about love. Living the world we do it simply isn't possible to love everyone an those who say it is don't understand their own faith. When Jesus came yes he did tell us to love our enemies like we love our friends but he has only asked us to do our best until he comes back and fulfills God's will. No one expects us to be 100% perfect were are only expected to try.

Answer 8

I dont think that you can loose your salvation for not going to church but the question is, are you saved? Are you really seeking God? If you really want to honor Him and make Him Lord of your life, it really helps to have the fellowship of other believers to help encourage you and be there for you and to hold you up in prayer when you need it. It adds a wholesome covering to your life. You wouldn't believe the anxiety release there is when you realise that you are with people that you can trust and realy care about you. You can also learn more about God and how to apply His word into your life.

Answer 9

sounds like u try to live a good christian life setting a good example. while i do believe church is important if not vital to living as closely to god and possible. i have currently fallen out of church as well and thank god going to church is not nessessary for salvation. or i know many good christians who would face judgment as well. i think we all should listen, and pray for guidance as to our choices in life as each of our paths in life are different. the path for some may be in the church every sunday. and for some it may be out in front of the homeless shelter sunday morning witnessing or testifying to those who could not come to church nor given opportunity hear the word of the lord. sometimes the word has find the lost, because if they do not know they are lost they wont be looking to hear the word.

Answer 10

The church does need your money and its a better spend then the irs. Belonging to one of the big three Christian churches guarantees that a portion of the money you tithe will go to help the unfortunate. Jesus also says that even the tax collector loves his family and frinds which means we have to go beyond that stance which is what the church does. I personally believe our talents go beyond money and love and the tithe of time is accountable too. That said, yes, your friend is right to a degree.