What does it mean to be a Christian?

[Lutroo]

by Matt Slick

Some people think that to be a Christian means you can't see movies, you can't dance, can't have a drink, or that you can't have any more fun. That isn't true. Christianity isn't about rules and regulations to follow. It is about a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the Old Testament times, God gave the Law which had to be followed precisely. There were instructions about clothes, food, what you could or could not do on the Sabbath, what you had to do in the temple, how priests were to carry out their functions, how strangers were to be treated, how people were to be punished, etc. All these things were to be observed properly and precisely since all of them affected their standing before God. That was in Old Testament times, but now we have Jesus, and the requirements of the Law are no longer necessary for us in order to please God.

Being a Christian means that you are changed on the inside--not controlled from the outside. It means that your heart has been changed by the presence of God. It does not mean that you are required to go to church, required to pay tithes, required to be good, required to do anything in order to stay a Christian. It means you desire to do those things because you've been changed.

Regeneration
Regeneration means that there has been an actual change in a person. When someone becomes a Christian by trusting in the sacrifice of Christ alone for the forgiveness of his sins,then the Holy Spirit has come and lives in that person. Because the person has been changed from the inside, he does not desire to do those things that are contrary to God. Therefore, he will naturally desire to go to church. He will desire to be good, to be honest, etc. He does not go to church or be good or be honest in order to be a Christian. He does those things because he already is one. It means that those things he desires to do change. He wants to change and wants to please God--from the inside.

So, being a Christian means that you have encountered the true and living God and that you have undergone a change in your heart and soul. It means that you are not restricted to the Laws of right and wrong in order to please God because you cannot please God by what you do. God will only find pleasure in you through Jesus Christ.

To be a Christian means to follow Christ, to desire Him, to fellowship with Him, to be indwelt by Him, and to bring glory to Him in your life.

 

[Mudda]

It means that every sunday, you have to cough up some dough.

 

[Pumpkin Row]

It means that every sunday, you have to cough up some dough.

Actually, in most churches, payment is optional. I say most because there's an exception to everything, but every church I've even been to or heard of, any form of payment is completely optional.

 

[Mudda]

It means that every sunday, you have to cough up some dough.

Actually, in most churches, payment is optional. I say most because there's an exception to everything, but every church I've even been to or heard of, any form of payment is completely optional.

If it's optional, why do they do it in front of everyone, why not just have a collection box discreetly near the door...? I'll tell you why: peer pressure to pay up because everyone is watching you.

 

[Moonglow]

by Matt Slick

Some people think that to be a Christian means you can't see movies, you can't dance, can't have a drink, or that you can't have any more fun. That isn't true. Christianity isn't about rules and regulations to follow. It is about a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the Old Testament times, God gave the Law which had to be followed precisely. There were instructions about clothes, food, what you could or could not do on the Sabbath, what you had to do in the temple, how priests were to carry out their functions, how strangers were to be treated, how people were to be punished, etc. All these things were to be observed properly and precisely since all of them affected their standing before God. That was in Old Testament times, but now we have Jesus, and the requirements of the Law are no longer necessary for us in order to please God.

Being a Christian means that you are changed on the inside--not controlled from the outside. It means that your heart has been changed by the presence of God. It does not mean that you are required to go to church, required to pay tithes, required to be good, required to do anything in order to stay a Christian. It means you desire to do those things because you've been changed.

Regeneration
Regeneration means that there has been an actual change in a person. When someone becomes a Christian by trusting in the sacrifice of Christ alone for the forgiveness of his sins,then the Holy Spirit has come and lives in that person. Because the person has been changed from the inside, he does not desire to do those things that are contrary to God. Therefore, he will naturally desire to go to church. He will desire to be good, to be honest, etc. He does not go to church or be good or be honest in order to be a Christian. He does those things because he already is one. It means that those things he desires to do change. He wants to change and wants to please God--from the inside.

So, being a Christian means that you have encountered the true and living God and that you have undergone a change in your heart and soul. It means that you are not restricted to the Laws of right and wrong in order to please God because you cannot please God by what you do. God will only find pleasure in you through Jesus Christ.

To be a Christian means to follow Christ, to desire Him, to fellowship with Him, to be indwelt by Him, and to bring glory to Him in your life.

So you want Christ to be in you?

 

[Billy_Kinetta]

Being a Christian is a matter of faith, not religion.

 

[Moonglow]

Being a Christian is a matter of faith, not religion.

So Christianity is not a religion?

 

[Lutroo]

It means that every sunday, you have to cough up some dough.

Actually, in most churches, payment is optional. I say most because there's an exception to everything, but every church I've even been to or heard of, any form of payment is completely optional.

Actually, it is not optional. Read your Bible.

 

[Vandalshandle]

Being Christian means never having to say you are sorry.....

 

[CremeBrulee]

It means that every sunday, you have to cough up some dough.

Actually, in most churches, payment is optional. I say most because there's an exception to everything, but every church I've even been to or heard of, any form of payment is completely optional.

If it's optional, why do they do it in front of everyone, why not just have a collection box discreetly near the door...? I'll tell you why: peer pressure to pay up because everyone is watching you.

Don't worry they still have the box by the door too.

 

[Lutroo]

Being a Christian is a matter of faith, not religion.

By definition, Christianity is not a religion.

 

[Pumpkin Row]

If it's optional, why do they do it in front of everyone, why not just have a collection box discreetly near the door...? I'll tell you why: peer pressure to pay up because everyone is watching you.

Probably because it happens in the middle of service, and if people had to walk across the church to throw money in a box, it would be awkward for others not to pay, because nobody would have seen them walk up there. On the other hand, if two-ish people walk around and collect from those willing, nobody would see you choose not to pay, and you wouldn't have to walk up in front of everyone. I know it's hard not to just dump on religious people for no reason, but please try to hold yourself back. Nobody will look down on you for not attacking a large group with a blanket statement as though they're some sort of Hive Mind. They're not the Zerg.

 

[Billy_Kinetta]

Being a Christian is a matter of faith, not religion.

So Christianity is not a religion?

It is.

Religion requires faith.

Faith does not require religion.

 

[Vandalshandle]

If it's optional, why do they do it in front of everyone, why not just have a collection box discreetly near the door...? I'll tell you why: peer pressure to pay up because everyone is watching you.

Probably because it happens in the middle of service, and if people had to walk across the church to throw money in a box, it would be awkward for others not to pay, because nobody would have seen them walk up there. On the other hand, if two-ish people walk around and collect from those willing, nobody would see you choose not to pay, and you wouldn't have to walk up in front of everyone. I know it's hard not to just dump on religious people for no reason, but please try to hold yourself back. Nobody will look down on you for not attacking a large group with a blanket statement as though they're some sort of Hive Mind. They're not the Zerg.

Ten percent tithing is mandatory in the LDS. Failure to do so means that your temple pass is revoked.

 

[Moonglow]

It means that every sunday, you have to cough up some dough.

Actually, in most churches, payment is optional. I say most because there's an exception to everything, but every church I've even been to or heard of, any form of payment is completely optional.

Actually, it is not optional. Read your Bible.

Jesus was always a little short on cash...

 

[Lutroo]

If it's optional, why do they do it in front of everyone, why not just have a collection box discreetly near the door...? I'll tell you why: peer pressure to pay up because everyone is watching you.

Probably because it happens in the middle of service, and if people had to walk across the church to throw money in a box, it would be awkward for others not to pay, because nobody would have seen them walk up there. On the other hand, if two-ish people walk around and collect from those willing, nobody would see you choose not to pay, and you wouldn't have to walk up in front of everyone. I know it's hard not to just dump on religious people for no reason, but please try to hold yourself back. Nobody will look down on you for not attacking a large group with a blanket statement as though they're some sort of Hive Mind. They're not the Zerg.

Ten percent tithing is mandatory in the LDS. Failure to do so means that your temple pass is revoked.

Well. LDS are not CHRISTIANS.

 

[Pumpkin Row]

Ten percent tithing is mandatory in the LDS. Failure to do so means that your temple pass is revoked.

I did say there were exceptions to everything, and that payment in every church I'd been to was optional. I've never been to LDS, and never heard of them.

 

[Vandalshandle]

It means that every sunday, you have to cough up some dough.

Actually, in most churches, payment is optional. I say most because there's an exception to everything, but every church I've even been to or heard of, any form of payment is completely optional.

Actually, it is not optional. Read your Bible.

Jesus was always a little short on cash...

Judas kept him on an allowance, but he was always over budget.

 

[Moonglow]

Being a Christian is a matter of faith, not religion.

By definition, Christianity is not a religion.

Then it does not fall under the 1st Amendment?

 

[Vandalshandle]

Ten percent tithing is mandatory in the LDS. Failure to do so means that your temple pass is revoked.

I did say there were exceptions to everything, and that payment in every church I'd been to was optional. I've never been to LDS, and never heard of them.

You have never heard of the Mormons?