A True Christian

[Tangnefedd]

I recently spent a few days visiting the island of my birth where my father is dying. I was able to say my goodbyes and will not return until his funeral.

I was privileged to meet a pastoral care worker from my father's church whom I would describe as a true Christian. She didn't mention her faith once, but it shone out of her. Her actions spoke much more than a million words. I have been lucky enough to meet one or two people I would describe as 'true Christians' in my life, these are the people who 'do' rather than 'say'.

I wonder which God prefers, the doers or the sayers? So many people have big mouths but small judgemental hearts!

[pobe]

I try to be very cautious talking about what God prefers (I feel it's best to leave that to Him), but I know I prefer a "doer" every time. I don't want to judge anyone, but I think that it is our duty to live as we learn...

"Whoever says, “I love God,” but hates his brother is a liar. The one who does not love the brother whom he has seen cannot love a God whom he has not seen." (1 John 4:20, ISV)

God bless!

[Tangnefedd]

I take your point about what God prefers, because none of us have any idea, although many think they have the ear of God!

[marooyce]

I was privileged to meet a pastoral care worker from my father's church whom I would describe as a true Christian.
..
I wonder which God prefers, the doers or the sayers?

Be like the one you consider to be a 'true christian'

[Tangnefedd]

Touchy! :D :D :D :D :D

[stone]

I recently spent a few days visiting the island of my birth where my father is dying. I was able to say my goodbyes and will not return until his funeral.

I was privileged to meet a pastoral care worker from my father's church whom I would describe as a true Christian. She didn't mention her faith once, but it shone out of her. Her actions spoke much more than a million words. I have been lucky enough to meet one or two people I would describe as 'true Christians' in my life, these are the people who 'do' rather than 'say'.

I wonder which God prefers, the doers or the sayers? So many people have big mouths but small judgemental hearts!

god left many messages to us as laws to follow, whether you follow them or not is part of the freewill we have

[SUNSTONE]

A Christian is a Christian.
But what you saw was probably a mature Christian.

[opakueken]

I wonder which God prefers, the doers or the sayers?

Matth 7:21-23
21 (http://www.bibleserver.com/act.php?aux=verse-40007021) Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 (http://www.bibleserver.com/act.php?aux=verse-40007022) 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 perform manymiracles?' 23 (http://www.bibleserver.com/act.php?aux=verse-40007023) Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

Matth 21:28-31
28 (http://www.bibleserver.com/act.php?aux=verse-40021028) What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' 29 (http://www.bibleserver.com/act.php?aux=verse-40021029) 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 30 (http://www.bibleserver.com/act.php?aux=verse-40021030) Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go. 31 (http://www.bibleserver.com/act.php?aux=verse-40021031) Which of the two did what his father wanted? The first, they answered.


This should answer your question completely. :)

[Tangnefedd]

Up the Doers!:D

[kingisjesus]

I wonder which God prefers, the doers or the sayers? So many people have big mouths but small judgemental hearts!
I would say that he prefers those who both do and say.
Those who know God will both do his will and boldly speak his words.

At the same time, the Holy Spirit gives gifts according to his wil.

[Tangnefedd]

The trouble is the sayers often talk a lot of garbage!

[kingisjesus]

If they do not know what they are talking about, then they will talk garbage.

Those who know God, on the other hand, will speak the truth.

[kingisjesus]

Also: Those who know God will do the truth.

[Tangnefedd]

I have heard lots of people who swear they know God, but it is usually their own prejudices that they are rehashing. My late unlamented mother-in-law was a born again. Her will and that of God were closely interlinked. Anything she didn't like, God didn't like!

[kingisjesus]

You will know the true from the false by looking at ones love for the brethren in Christ.

[Tangnefedd]

I have met one or two true Christians in my life, and I recognised them as such. I don't think I have met any on this forum yet, though!:doh:

[SUNSTONE]

I have met one or two true Christians in my life, and I recognised them as such. I don't think I have met any on this forum yet, though!:doh:

Like I said, A Christian is a Christian.
But who you met was a mature Christian.

What you are saying is like saying kids aren't human, just because they aren't adults.

[Tangnefedd]

I don't think it has anything to do with maturity or lack of it. It has much more to do with your personality. I have known a number of non Christians who have more humanity and Christlike love than any number of people who call themselves Christians.

[marooyce]

I have known a number of non Christians who have more humanity and Christlike love than any number of people who call themselves Christians.


I think non-christians or half-christians or liberal-christians should not judge/compare christians.
Because their value systems are different than a born again.
Anyway, if you feel offended I appologize.
God bless.

[Tangnefedd]

Why not?

[SUNSTONE]

I don't think it has anything to do with maturity or lack of it. It has much more to do with your personality. I have known a number of non Christians who have more humanity and Christlike love than any number of people who call themselves Christians.

This is true.
Some people do, or try to do the right thing, because it's logical.
Some do it believing they are being good and that God is watching them, even thou they are Muslim or some other religion.
Paul was like that. He did things he thought were right, like putting to death Christians. He truely believed he was serving the Lord, untill one day the Lord set him straight.

I believe that man is truely good at heart, and he is worth saving.
I think this is one of the reasons why God died for us, because we were worth saving.

[Entertaining_Angels]

Going to just cut and paste this whole chapter because it is just so good and deserves to be read but the last paragraph speaks volumes as well:


James 1



1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.

Trials and Temptations

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.


9The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. Listening and Doing

19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.


22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. 26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world

[opakueken]

Why not?

Perhaps only God is in this position to juge.

Matt 7:1+2
1 (http://www.bibleserver.com/act.php?aux=verse-40007001) Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 (http://www.bibleserver.com/act.php?aux=verse-40007002) For in the same way as you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.


If you are running arround in CF and shouting: " You are no Christians since..."
My opinion is, that you have judged others who you even don't know what they are doing in real live.

Please notice that:
Matth 7:4
4 (http://www.bibleserver.com/act.php?aux=verse-40007004) How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 (http://www.bibleserver.com/act.php?aux=verse-40007005) You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.


:sorry:

[Tangnefedd]

If you are running arround in CF and shouting: " You are no Christians since..."
My opinion is, that you have judged others who you even don't know what they are doing in real live.

If I come over as judging others then I shouldn't, although as this is a debate forum I am entitled to my opinion as much as anyone else who is judging me! I suppose what it all boils down to is that one size does not fit all, so to speak. Each person's spirituality is tailor made to suit their needs, I think. Another person's experience of God cannot be grafted on to me, anymore than I would expect, or presume, my experience to be grafted on to them.

[Kroger99]

I recently spent a few days visiting the island of my birth where my father is dying. I was able to say my goodbyes and will not return until his funeral.

I was privileged to meet a pastoral care worker from my father's church whom I would describe as a true Christian. She didn't mention her faith once, but it shone out of her. Her actions spoke much more than a million words. I have been lucky enough to meet one or two people I would describe as 'true Christians' in my life, these are the people who 'do' rather than 'say'.

I wonder which God prefers, the doers or the sayers? So many people have big mouths but small judgemental hearts!
What a blessing to meet someone that naturally shows so much faith!!!
I would bet that most of us would have to admit that we "Say" more than we "Do". I have met a few people like that, but they are few and far between.

[Tangnefedd]

i think most of us 'say' more than we 'do', I am guilty of letting my mouth run away with me!

[kingisjesus]

You're not in the position to make such statements.
I beg to differ. Those who are led by The Spirit will judge all matters rightfully because they are led by God. We who have the gift of decernment can decern. We who know God can speak on his behalf in trivial matters.

This is a contraversial thing to preach, but I do not care. It is the truth and no one so far has presented a strong enough arguement ageanst me.

[kingisjesus]

A true christian walks by the Spirit of God in holiness and purity. A true christian follows the commandments of Jesus when he says to love both God and man.

"The man in the Spirit judges all things and he himself is judged by no man." (Apostel Paul)

[Tangnefedd]

I beg to differ. Those who are led by The Spirit will judge all matters rightfully because they are led by God. We who have the gift of decernment can decern. We who know God can speak on his behalf in trivial matters.

This is a contraversial thing to preach, but I do not care. It is the truth and no one so far has presented a strong enough arguement ageanst me.


How do you know that being, 'spirit led', as you put it has anything remotely to do with God. The folks I have seen in this condition have been kidding themselves imo!

[kingisjesus]

The folks I have seen in this condition have been kidding themselves imo!
Welcome to the last days! I see much of it also. It bugs me to see someone self-decieved call themself a Christian, but that is the way it has been sense the first century church.

[kingisjesus]

I beg to differ. Those who are led by The Spirit will judge all matters rightfully because they are led by God. We who have the gift of decernment can decern. We who know God can speak on his behalf in trivial matters.

This is a contraversial thing to preach, but I do not care. It is the truth and no one so far has presented a strong enough arguement ageanst me.


How do you know that being, 'spirit led', as you put it has anything remotely to do with God. The folks I have seen in this condition have been kidding themselves imo!
I give myself to God and love him more than anything, do you think that he will hide himself from me? Do you supose that such people do not know his will?

I know God because he shows himself to me. He will manafest himself to anyone who loves Jesus truly.

[Tangnefedd]

I do suppose that people might be confused, because a lot of stuff that is attributed to God is very wrong indeed imo!

[kingisjesus]

I do suppose that people might be confused, because a lot of stuff that is attributed to God is very wrong indeed imo!
That is because we are not willing to conform to Gods standerd. We tend to be liberal and walk in our own form of what we think is christian.
This is not christian. This is anti-christ.

[Tangnefedd]

KiJ :D :D :D :D

[kingisjesus]

What is with the grin? Are you agreeing or dis-agreeing.

[If Not For Grace]

It is said "to everything there is a season". I suspect that includes a time to speak and a time to be silent, as well as a time to act and a time to reflect, but I could be wrong.:scratch:

[Tangnefedd]

Just gobsmacked KiJ:D

[kingisjesus]

Godsmacked? That happens to me sometimes also, it hurts.

[opakueken]

That is because we are not willing to conform to Gods standerd. We tend to be liberal and walk in our own form of what we think is christian.
This is not christian. This is anti-christ.
:thumbsup:

[kingisjesus]

Then when they are presented with the word of God correctly, the get God smacked.
The truth hits hard.

[Tangnefedd]

None of us know if we have the truth, some just think they have it. I also think that it is us humans that control our idea of God, rather than God controlling anything. If we connect with the spark of the divine within ourselves then we might be a force for good. Of course I may have got it wrong, but that is currently my state of thinking. No doubt KiJ will try to put me right with his God shaped hammer.:D

[jasperbound]

I have heard lots of people who swear they know God, but it is usually their own prejudices that they are rehashing. My late unlamented mother-in-law was a born again. Her will and that of God were closely interlinked. Anything she didn't like, God didn't like!

Not that I'm disrespecting your mother-in-law, because I'm sure she was a great Christian, but I'd avoid saying things such as "anything she didn't like, God didn't like." Granted, she might have tried to conform herself to God's standard as much as possible, but I can't think of one person who says "I don't try to conform myself to God's standard" that's a Christian.

I also wouldn't pick and choose who the "mature" Christians aren't, unless I was positive that I was one myself. I've just noticed that people who do this tend to make gods of themselves and use their own biases to make the judgments.

As for the topic, why choose between saying and doing? If one doesn't do anything, then they're a hypocrite, and if one doesn't say anything, then they're a coward.

[Tangnefedd]

My mother-in-law was a blanky awful person/Christian! She and my late father-in-law were probably one of the reasons my husband is now a devout atheist, the idea of meeting up with them in heaven is too much for him!:D

[kingisjesus]

None of us know if we have the truth, some just think they have it.
I don't know about you, but I know the truth because I know Jesus Christ.
From Jesus comes all that is true.

[kingisjesus]

No doubt KiJ will try to put me right with his God shaped hammer.:D
It is a mighty big hammer at that. The truth hurts when used as a weapon.

[kingisjesus]

A true christian is one that believes not only "in" the lord, but believes the lord in general.
I canot be in Christ if I do not believe what he says.
I also canot be christian if I do not follow Jesus Christ.

So theirfor if I walk in the Spirit of Jesus Christ, I will be a true christian.

[Tangnefedd]

A true Christian hmmmmmmmm! Funny the true Christians I have met never use that phrase, it is always the ones with big mouths and opinions of themselves that trot it out!

[kingisjesus]

A true Christian hmmmmmmmm! Funny the true Christians I have met never use that phrase, it is always the ones with big mouths and opinions of themselves that trot it out!
So much negitivity and bias. Do you think you know what a true Christian is? If so, then what is a true Christian according to your views?

[mysparrow]

I believe we are to speak about Jesus , but our actions should give credibility to our words, if they dont then we become a hypocrit, and not pleasing to God , our witness is ruined .