Are Christians better? - Page 2

BeenThinkin · #11 10-10-2012, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

I've learned not to believe anyone when they say they are a "Christian" so readily as I have in the past. Now, whenever I meet someone and immediately they tell me they are "Christian" my guard goes up, and I wonder how they are going to try to defraud me. Because that has been my experience so far. Every person who immediately tries to get you to believe they are a Christian have an ulterior motive.

So Timmy, as to your original question, are Christians better than the average Joe on the street... I would have to say no. Many are following a belief system of works that doesn't change their hearts. Sadly. You have to look deeper than just for someone who attends church, pays tithes, and calls themselves Christian. I would say .... look at the fruit, before you believe that they are truly a Christ-follower.

So now, I don't take people at face value. Just telling me that you are a "Christian" is not enough. I don't care if you tell me you are a one God, apostolic, tongue-talking, holy roller, born again believer ..... yada yada...

I look for your fruit. Christ told his disciples, "By your love one for another shall all men know ye are my disciples" John 13:35

That is the fruit I look for. How do you treat your fellow man? What fruits of the spirit are you exhibiting? How do you treat those who have treated you wrongly?

Just looking for an outward appearance, or a mouthful of "christian talk" doesn't do a thing for me... anymore.

I've found true believers in the most unusual places too. You just never can judge a "book by its cover."

I have a problem with those "Christians" who tell you themselves they are "better!" and how much "better" they are.

BT

houston · #12 10-10-2012, 03:40 PM

I'm better.

BeenThinkin · #13 10-10-2012, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by houston

I'm better.

There you go! BUT, I know better!

BT

Apostolicman7 · #14 10-10-2012, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy

First, I want to state that many of the Christians I know are wonderful people. They are kind, generous, honest (mostly

), reliable, etc. Some aren't so wonderful. I can say the same for my unbelieving acquaintances. So now, I'm wondering: are Christians in general better than non-Christians? Is a random person on the street more likely to be "good" if you discover that he or she is a believer?

There is some flexibility in the question, of course. We should define "better" and "good" and "Christian", first of all. Well, how about if I leave that up to you, the participants in the discussion?

So, what say you?

Of course not. All of our righteousness is as filthy rags. We like sheep have gone astray. We have turned our own way, and our iniquities have been laid upon Christ. There is no one who is Good but God. We are all sinful in nature.

So, are Christians better than non-believers? Not at all.

Are Christians in a better place than non-believers? Absolutely.

The difference is that we have a savior who has remitted our sins, and brought us out of the cesspool of sin. This is not because we were somehow more special than non-believers. This was because we heard the gospel and responded in faith. We are in a better position than those who have not yet responded, and remain lying in the cesspool, yet we are not better because we'd be right back where they are if we didn't have Christ.

houston · #15 10-10-2012, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeenThinkin

There you go! BUT, I know better!

BT

You're bitter!!! LOL

houston · #16 10-10-2012, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apostolicman7

Of course not. All of our righteousness is as filthy rags. We like sheep have gone astray. We have turned our own way, and our iniquities have been laid upon Christ. There is no one who is Good but God. We are all sinful in nature.

So, are Christians better than non-believers? Not at all.

Are Christians in a better place than non-believers? Absolutely.

The difference is that we have a savior who has remitted our sins, and brought us out of the cesspool of sin. This is not because we were somehow more special than non-believers. This was because we heard the gospel and responded in faith. We are in a better position than those who have not yet responded, and remain lying in the cesspool, yet we are not better because we'd be right back where they are if we didn't have Christ.

Its not because you responded. It is because you were predestined to respond.

AreYouReady? · #17 10-10-2012, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeenThinkin

There you go! BUT, I know better!

BT

Apostolicman7 · #18 10-10-2012, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by houston

Its not because you responded. It is because you were predestined to respond.

I'm a glaring example of how the doctrine of predestination doesn't make sense.

Of all the people in the world, there is nothing about me that would cause God to choose me and not someone else. In fact, the opposite is true. If he picks and chooses certain people to be saved, and certain others to be damned, then I would have no hope of salvation.

BeenThinkin · #19 10-10-2012, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by houston

You're bitter!!! LOL

YEP! That's it! I'm bitter because you're better!

Been Thinkin

KeptByTheWord · #20 10-10-2012, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apostolicman7

Of course not. All of our righteousness is as filthy rags. We like sheep have gone astray. We have turned our own way, and our iniquities have been laid upon Christ. There is no one who is Good but God. We are all sinful in nature.

So, are Christians better than non-believers? Not at all.

Are Christians in a better place than non-believers? Absolutely.

The difference is that we have a savior who has remitted our sins, and brought us out of the cesspool of sin. This is not because we were somehow more special than non-believers. This was because we heard the gospel and responded in faith. We are in a better position than those who have not yet responded, and remain lying in the cesspool, yet we are not better because we'd be right back where they are if we didn't have Christ.

I like how you see we're not better, but we are in a better standing with God. That is a much better way to put it.

Active faith in one's heart is what truly makes him a Christ follower, not fleshly works, or special outward attire.

Love is the one ingredient in a life that produces such wonderful fruit, that completely that changes the whole equation from one who just simply "claims" to be a Christian.... as opposed to someone who is displaying the fruits of the spirit of Christ in their life.

The difference is in the fruit.