Our attitude and what people say about our being true Christians

[Classik]

I wish to know, frankly, is our physical attitude or behavior or character enough to make people conclude we are true Christians?

I know some of horrible characters (perhaps seemingly) - and God uses them to do exploits.

 

[Obadiah]

Personally, I think it's rather rare (compared to the huge number of people that go to church on Sunday) to run across a person that is a "true" enough Christian that you can tell by their attitude.

 

[Edward]

It is rare. It is true though that people can see your Christianity or lack thereof through your attitude and how you carry yourself. At times, this could be the best evangelical tool you don't even have to speak to them. They just see it.

 

[Kenny_ms]

I know one couple like that.

 

[Deborah13]

I wish to know, frankly, is our physical attitude or behavior or character enough to make people conclude we are true Christians?

I know some of horrible characters (perhaps seemingly) - and God uses them to do exploits.

I know people who are non-Christians, that if one didn't talk to them about their spiritual beliefs and just compared their behavior, love for others, etc. to what Jesus said about these behaviors, one could believe they are Christians.

I believe it is wrong to speak against things that non-Christians do that are helping others. Such as Bill Gates and his wife. The reason that I'm not going to condemn their actions is because scripture shows and tells us that God does use the righteous and the unrighteous to achieve His goals. He also blesses the righteous and the unrighteous. So who am I to criticize them for vaccinating children in third world countries, etc. Or condemn Oprah for educating young girls in Africa.
Some people forget that God uses unbelievers and that all good things come from the Father of Lights. They say that what a non-Christian does might look good but isn't because they are not Christians and therefore that action did not come from God and must be bad. I don't believe that attitude is Biblical.

 

[jasonc]

I know people who are non-Christians, that if one didn't talk to them about their spiritual beliefs and just compared their behavior, love for others, etc. to what Jesus said about these behaviors, one could believe they are Christians.

I believe it is wrong to speak against things that non-Christians do that are helping others. Such as Bill Gates and his wife. The reason that I'm not going to condemn their actions is because scripture shows and tells us that God does use the righteous and the unrighteous to achieve His goals. He also blesses the righteous and the unrighteous. So who am I to criticize them for vaccinating children in third world countries, etc. Or condemn Oprah for educating young girls in Africa.
Some people forget that God uses unbelievers and that all good things come from the Father of Lights. They say that what a non-Christian does might look good but isn't because they are not Christians and therefore that action did not come from God and must be bad. I don't believe that attitude is Biblical.

why how jewish of you.

 

[KevinK]

I wish to know, frankly, is our physical attitude or behavior or character enough to make people conclude we are true Christians?

No, I don't think as such. The most distinguishing characteristic of being a true Christian is not really all that overt. You must ask them (or they must otherwise say so). "I am a true Christian because I believe the only path to salvation for human beings is through the Lord Jesus Christ". It is not by being a "good person" per se, or doing good deeds, or living an exemplary life, or choosing good actions over evil. In theory these things could get you into heaven, but you'd have to match God's own standard, which is perfection. All humans fall short of perfection (except for One), and therefore need a "jumper". That extra burst is Jesus Christ.

What distinguishes the true Christian is acknowledging Jesus Christ as the one way, and the only way, to salvation. This is more of an internal quality, and not necessarily obvious and apparent.

 

[KevinK]

I know some of horrible characters (perhaps seemingly) - and God uses them to do exploits.

How will the Lord judge someone like Mark Chapman, who murdered John Lennon for the latter saying negative things about Jesus Christ? He capped a horribly counter-productive anti-Christian force, but he was a murderer. Is he sinner or saint?

Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue about that; I'm right and I'll be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first—rock 'n' roll or Christianity. Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It's them twisting it that ruins it for me.

-John Lennon-----
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[Michael74]

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35 NIV

 

[KevinK]

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35 NIV

A very good quote, but consider the complete passage: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." It is a new command, i.e. in addition to that already given, and not meant to stand alone. There are plenty of people who openly love others, but are professed non-Christians, even atheists.

 

[Michael74]

I know some of horrible characters (perhaps seemingly) - and God uses them to do exploits.

Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:22-23 NIV

 

[Michael74]

It is a new command, i.e. in addition to that already given, and not meant to stand alone..

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 NIV

There are plenty of people who openly love others, but are professed non-Christians, even atheists.

Objection your honor. Assuming facts not in evidence.

(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.). Romans 2:14-15 NIV

 

[KevinK]

Objection your honor. Assuming facts not in evidence.

(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.). Romans 2:14-15 NIV

Well, I suppose technically you're right. Is it really an argued point, though? What if I rewrote it, "There can be people who openly love others, but are professed non-Christians, even atheists."

 

[Michael74]

You still have not proven that non Christians agape the Lord's people as much as true Christians do.

Thus, you cannot use such a statement to prove anything else.

 

[KevinK]

You still have not proven that non Christians agape the Lord's people as much as true Christians do.

Thus, you cannot use such a statement to prove anything else.

Sorry, my friend, you have officially lost me there. Also I don't think I'm trying to prove anything per se, just responding to the OP's excellent original question.

 

[Michael74]

There are plenty of people who openly love others, but are professed non-Christians, even atheists.

I posit that there is a detectable difference between the way true Christians agape each other, and imperfect pagan "love".

...circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit... Romans 9:29b NIV

This difference is a work of God, not man.

 

[KevinK]

I posit that there is a detectable difference between the way true Christians agape each other, and imperfect pagan "love".

...circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit... Romans 9:29b NIV

This difference is a work of God, not man.

Do tell. What is the difference?

 

[JoJoe]

The problem with this question is man cannot see others hearts. One can confess to be Christian and show love, but how can one know the source of that love? We cannot...

Its like when people say, "that's very Christian of you" in the way its used is describing your kindness. Used as a noun when it is actually an adjective. The substance is not in the word "Christian", the substance is in the heart of the man it is attempting to describe.

So for one truly to see another as " truly christian" one would have to know of the good word to see the good fruit you reap.

 

[Stan1953]

I wish to know, frankly, is our physical attitude or behavior or character enough to make people conclude we are true Christians?
I know some of horrible characters (perhaps seemingly) - and God uses them to do exploits.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'physical' attitude? I am 6'4" and 285 lbs, and I can be intimidating at times until people get to know me.
I also know that people have told me they knew there was something different about me, not just because I used my words, but by how I acted. The Bible does say we will be known by our love for one another, as Jesus in John 13:35 teaches.
I know some street church pastors and Bikers for Christ, and they may not leave a good first impression, but there is no doubt once you get to know them, where their heart is.

 

[eddif]

II Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

eddif