I hear all this talk about "True Christians" and have a question?

Simply put, a true christian is someone of the exact same cult as the speaker.

A "true Christian" knows that Christ desires mercy not sacrifice*. All fall short of righteousness and are saved only by the perfect ransom of the Son of God.

In my spiritual journey I have found myself now studying to be a confessional Lutheran at a Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod Church in my town. If someone wants to avail themselves of Pastors who really know what they are teaching from a deep understanding of the different translations of the Bible, this Synod is above par.

The WELS Pastor must read Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. This extensive training gives them a deeper grasp of the nuances of the living Word of the Gospel as it has come down to us through the ages. My Bible classes with this Church have grounded me in a way Roman Catholicism and later gnostic studies never did.

God will judge us according to our knowledge of the truth and how we have adhered to it. The moral individual in a primitive culture on a remote pacific island who dies not knowing the Gospel will not be placed in some hell dimension, but the person who is given the word and chooses sin will not be in the Kingdom.

True Christians confess their faith when appropriate and reserve ultimate judgement for the triune God. If anyone is enlightened it comes from God alone. May peace be with all who seek the truth.

I'm 67 years old....and an atheist.

I have heard all the nonsense about every religion and the belief systems. I have read the bible, have a working knowledge of the koran and the torah. Have taken many college level classes on religious theory - trying to understand how people can be so damned dumb to believe it....and to search my own reason for my particular belief.

I have NEVER met, nor seen, nor heard one person of the Christian faith who practiced the religion. There are lots who rant and rave about it, who drop a dollar in the collection basket and walk away smugly, who donate old clothes to the poor and think they are doing good works. There are those who proclaim jesus their "personal lord and savior" who's personal behavior would never pass the smell test - according to their bible.

There has only been 2 people I've ever met who truly practiced their religion...and both did it quietly, without fanfare, without preaching, without prosletyzing, without expecting anything in return.

One is former President Jimmy Carter who has led his life by his religious beliefs, by charitable acts and actions and by being involved in bettering the lives of others not so fortunate.

The other is an old Nun I have known since I was 16 years old. She is 93 now and still quietly practices her faith every moment of every day with her prayers, her soft words and strong belief.

Neither of these people ever wear their religion like a badge; never impose thier personal belief on others, never shout "hell and damnation" to those who don't fall in line.

In my opinion, the bigger the mouth, the less the deeds.

Jesus himself says that not all who come before the Father will be brought into heaven... Not all who put the label of *Christian* before their name are truly that which is of God. No mere human can know the difference, ONLY God does.....We can be suspect of people, but to say one is NOT is taking the chance of being *foolish* or a *liar*...... Yes there are *requirments*, but those are not so easily seen by mans eyes.... the heart can not be seen..... As Christians we are *brought* into the Body of Christ by : Believing that Jesus died was buried and arose three days later.... we are to bring forth *fruit* by showing our walk with God, bring others to God, feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe those who are naked, etc., in other words be Gods embassadors here on earth...... We say *true* Christians, because the people , NOT the building, are the True Church of God..... go in peace...... God bless

well, yes...but there is much more to aspire to than this...like the "reasons one becomes a christian in the first place" many do not understand, it's so the Lord can teach them "how to become another one of His sons?" so, they come up with all sorts of things to inspire their "religion" without thinking as to why they were called to Him in the first place! A "true christian goes on to know their Lord and Heavenly Father in a very personal way...and they aspire to grow in the things that are taught to them in their heart by the Holy Spirit, which was sent by God to us to teach us (John14,15,16) etc. it's a learning and growing process called "Salvation" to save us from the person we are, and to change us into the person He desires us to be..."Like Christ!" and this is what "Christian" is all about...a "Real Relationship" with the Lord..not a "religion" and, this is the differance... "Peace!"

You're right when you say a true Christian is a person who accepts Jesus as their Savior but there is also somebody called a hypocritical Christian.

Which that is somebody who says their a Christian but they really aren't.

Also, their are people who think that good works can get them to heaven. If I read the Bible then I'm alright, God knows I'm trying. Stuff like that.

If you truly beleive in God with all your heart and soul and he knows that you're serious (no point in lying, he knows everything) then you're okay.

A "True Christian", is one that follows Jesus, as he ask man to do!

Not one that worships him, as the church asks man to do!

* footnote - Christians in general just don't understand what Jesus was telling them. The majority of Christians have closed off their minds, and have segregated themselves from a God given gift called "Wisdom". Jesus will chide many because of this quality known as being 'stiff necked'!

*Consider yourself having just been enlightened on the subject!

"Peace be always with you."

A note to SUMMER BREEZE

Although I'm sure you feel that you are someone who has Found her way - you strike me as someone who is truly lost!

Part of the reason I rejected christianity is because of sanctimonious people like you who sit in judgment of others in spite of Jesus telling you specifically to not do so.

Have fun all alone in your terror.

"Christian" is just a tag people use to ID each other on the battlefield of life! You don't need to be a Christian, Jew or Muslim to be accepted. Just be YOU!

The path to Heaven is very narrow. If one really wants to get to heaven they have to read their Bible a lot and do as it instructs them. Which includes praying through the day, be willing to help others, And to LOVE all others, even your enemies. Jesus requires us to be financially poor and give all we can to help others. To "Love our enemies"

Jesus even said that we did not need more than one change of clothes and simple clothes at that. Are any of us doing just that?

Willing to devote our lives to God, as Jesus did too.