Hello Bex and those who have posted regarding 'What a true Christian is'. Can we please use the Word of God, and see what He has to say?
Jesus tells us in Matthew Chapter 7 of 'The Narrow and Wide Gates to Heaven'... Vs. 13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Question? How will one recognize a Christian? Jesus says in Matt. 7:15+ "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheeps's clothes, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit, you will recognize them. ..17+)Likewise every good tree bears good fruit (for His Kingdom),but a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21)Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."
What are the 'fruit(s)' of righteous/unrighteous people?
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, not adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the the kingdom of God."
"Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God."
Yes, I agree in that we have the 10 Commandments as our 'guide' (if you will) to living out the Christian life. However, NOBODY could, or can keep the 10 Commandments. Therefore we are not under the Law, per se', but under His grace. Please read Romans Chapter 3 where Apostle Paul explains what the purpose of the Law is: Vs. 19)" Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law,so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. vs.21) But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested being witness by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe for there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. vs 24) being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus: vs 28) For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. vs 31) Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.
Ephesians 2:8-10) For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
Yes, Jesus said, "This is my commandment that you love one another."
Just as Jesus, I believe we are to love the sinner, but hate the sin. We must be 'born again to see the Kingdom of God,' Jesus also said in John 3:3.
So we see that it takes 'faith, new birth, love, following Christ's footsteps, and when we fall (which we all do/will), we claim 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Blessings and May our Sovereign Lord lead us all on His path , Abishag <>< May God bless and forgive America!