What Is A Christian?

[GodsGrace]

I'm wondering what wondering thinks obedience means!

Wondering knows what obedience means.
No Greek is even necessary!

For instance:
John 15:14
14“You are My friends if you do what I command you."

 

[Randy]

Interesting.
HOW does God state who are His children?

I thought I posted that answer as well.
Born of GOD. Those are the children of God.
If anyone doesn't have the Spirit of Christ in them they don't belong to Jesus. I doesn't matter what they call themselves. It doesn't matter what their job description is either.

 

[GodsGrace]

I thought I posted that answer as well.
Born of GOD. Those are the children of God.
If anyone doesn't have the Spirit of Christ in them they don't belong to Jesus. I doesn't matter what they call themselves. It doesn't matter what their job description is either.

I didn't see the answer. Sorry.
I don't see it above either.
What does being born of God mean?
How would I know if I'm born of God?

 

[Randy]

I didn't see the answer. Sorry.
I don't see it above either.
What does being born of God mean?
How would I know if I'm born of God?

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--

children born NOT of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

You don't really understand the Fathers promise -the new creation?

the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

As I stated God states who are His children.
The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God.

 

[GodsGrace]

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--

children born NOT of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

You don't really understand the Fathers promise -the new creation?

the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

As I stated God states who are His children.
The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God.

I happen to know what being a child of God means.
We have to keep in mind that there are persons reading along that do not know...

So how would we explain it to them?

My favorite statement of yours is this:
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.

We can know we are children of God when we learn that we have a spiritual nature and that we look to God to feed that nature.
John 3:3

We can know we are children of God when we desire to please Him,,,which you stated.
John 14:21

We can know we are children of God when we live within His laws:
Mathew 7:23

We can know also because we desire to be with others that believe as we do:
Hebrews 10:25

And we can know because we can confess that Jesus is Lord.
Romans 10:9

There are also other very solid reasons we can know that we are children of God.

 

[Randy]

I happen to know what being a child of God means.
We have to keep in mind that there are persons reading along that do not know...

So how would we explain it to them?

My favorite statement of yours is this:
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.

We can know we are children of God when we learn that we have a spiritual nature and that we look to God to feed that nature.
John 3:3

We can know we are children of God when we desire to please Him,,,which you stated.
John 14:21

We can know we are children of God when we live within His laws:
Mathew 7:23

We can know also because we desire to be with others that believe as we do:
Hebrews 10:25

And we can know because we can confess that Jesus is Lord.
Romans 10:9

There are also other very solid reasons we can know that we are children of God.

The point was God states who are is children. Ref Born of God
The fruit of the Spirit or by their fruit are signs of true salvation. For those that proclaim faith in Jesus. Those that continue to sin have neither seen Jesus nor know Him though they may claim Him as Lord.
Jesus stated , Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 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!’

Satan had faith and the Sadducee's and Pharisees had works but no love.
Even works without love is nothing. as is written "I desire mercy not sacrifice"
1corth 13
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

However as individuals that proclaim faith in Jesus despite some people of other faiths calling us pagans worshiping a dead prophet and idolaters we know by the Spirit that dwells in us we are the true children of God and that Jesus lives. God states who His children are not man.

 

[GodsGrace]

The point was God states who are is children. Ref Born of God
The fruit of the Spirit or by their fruit are signs of true salvation. For those that proclaim faith in Jesus. Those that continue to sin have neither seen Jesus nor know Him though they may claim Him as Lord.
Jesus stated , Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 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!’

Satan had faith and the Sadducee's and Pharisees had works but no love.
Even works without love is nothing. as is written "I desire mercy not sacrifice"
1corth 13
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

However as individuals that proclaim faith in Jesus despite some people of other faiths calling us pagans worshiping a dead prophet and idolaters we know by the Spirit that dwells in us we are the true children of God and that Jesus lives. God states who His children are not man.

OK!
I think those reading along can understand now what makes us know we are children of God.

Jesus would only be a dead prophet only if He did not come back to life after death. The resurrection proves He was God. And we can be secure that it happened because we can trust those that have told us.
Amen.

 

[Randy]

OK!
I think those reading along can understand now what makes us know we are children of God.

Jesus would only be a dead prophet only if He did not come back to life after death. The resurrection proves He was God. And we can be secure that it happened because we can trust those that have told us.
Amen.

Yes
So if someone claimed to be a christian then left the faith to promote another they never belonged because they would have known Jesus lives by that witness of the Spirit in us.

"children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."

 

[GodsGrace]

Yes
So if someone claimed to be a christian then left the faith to promote another they never belonged because they would have known Jesus lives by that witness of the Spirit in us.

"children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."

Your post no. 66 explains what a Christian is.
How does someone claim to be a Christian?
Is it not noticeable somehow?
Maybe by the fruit the bear...maybe because they like to congregate with others who believe as they do, which would be other Christians...maybe because they confess with their mouth and believe with their heart?

I do believe, and the N.T. shows this, that one could be a believer and then lose that belief. They could start out lost, be saved, and then become lost again by the act of abandoning Jesus -- the One Who gives us the life.
1 Corinthians 15:45

 

[DiscipleDave]

. .. . . . . . .

What do you believe is a Christian? . .. . . ..

A Christian is anyone who believes that Jesus is the Son of God and has accepted Him as such.

Now there are Typical Christians, Goat Christians, Nicolaitan Christians.
Then there are True Christians, Sheep Christians.

The first group are they that appear on the outside to be Christ-like, but on the inside full of sins. These hold on to doctrines that are contrary to verses in the Scriptures. These profess that Jesus is their master but willingly obey His enemy. These claim to have Jesus (Love) living inside them, but fail to Love Others. These will pray much for people but not lift a finger to actually try to help them. Christ like on Church day, but worldly the rest of the week. MANY.

The second group are they that appear on the outside to be Christ-like, and are also Christ-like on the inside. These hold on to what the Scriptures actually says and teaches. These profess that Jesus is their master and Obey Him. These claim to have Jesus (Love) living inside them, and it is revealed by all their works of love towards others. These try to help those in need and when they can't is when they will pray for help from God that they can help them. Christ-like every day. FEW.

 

[TheGoldenThread]

A Christian is anyone who believes that Jesus is the Son of God and has accepted Him as such.

Now there are Typical Christians, Goat Christians, Nicolaitan Christians.
Then there are True Christians, Sheep Christians.

The first group are they that appear on the outside to be Christ-like, but on the inside full of sins. These hold on to doctrines that are contrary to verses in the Scriptures. These profess that Jesus is their master but willingly obey His enemy. These claim to have Jesus (Love) living inside them, but fail to Love Others. These will pray much for people but not lift a finger to actually try to help them. Christ like on Church day, but worldly the rest of the week. MANY.

The second group are they that appear on the outside to be Christ-like, and are also Christ-like on the inside. These hold on to what the Scriptures actually says and teaches. These profess that Jesus is their master and Obey Him. These claim to have Jesus (Love) living inside them, and it is revealed by all their works of love towards others. These try to help those in need and when they can't is when they will pray for help from God that they can help them. Christ-like every day. FEW.

Indeed.

Those that are a Christian must attribute the characteristics of Christ. There actions will speak louder than any words they will say.

Sadly, the latter is easier to do than the former, therefore, people too often choose the latter.

I made a thread that talked about the First century Christians being called "the way". I think you will enjoy what it says.

In peace