What does it mean - BE Christian?

[ljwheat]

According to what I have read, Christ was out side the organized religion of that time, and the ones calling the religious movement were the Roman soldiers who by mandated by the politicians to destroy these Christians.

The word Christian was used then like the “N” word is used today. Them f’n Christian bustards were in hiding, just like Nati Germany in wwii today. Non were calling them selves Christians, it was the cussing of the Roman soldier’s.

And like today you hear “Yo” my ‘N’ what’s up. -- now they’ve taken a cuss word and adopted it as there very own and no one else is allowed to say it except a Christian ‘Bro‘.

The hole 23rd chapter of Matthew speaks of how christ spoke against organized religion, religious leader, and the positions of that era.

He also told us not to pray to your father in heaven before men, but to go in secret before your father.

If one study’s New testament Greek, instead of story’s from men in organized religious establishments who have mangled the truth so bad, even the elect have gone astray. And unless the day’s were shorted, no flesh would be saved from the mangled deception of the anti Christ -- religion. Blind men leading the blind. --- Christians. According to New Testament Greek.-- Moody bible institute L.A. Cal.

Christians follow men of Religion. Christ like spirits follow the Way of old as he did then. Read the first couple pages of any bible, just before you get to Genesis. Written by men to create there version of religious rule. What book did Christ speak from, or was it from the heart/? Before men manipulated the crap out of it. Just like the house of representatives and our congress do still today, constantly changing the legal words of old or new.

Believing in anything organized by men, is to leave your brains on the floor and follow them to a promise outside of yourself. Christ empowers your spirit, You shall do even greater things than you see of Me.---Men and religion strips that power away ’come follow me.’ anti-Christ. that’s why he said “ I never new you” following the false Christ of man‘s religion.

Break away from organized church, stay home and read it for your self, in secret before your father, and the spirit in your heart that will teach you of all things and is no lie. In your heart is the kingdom and the answer’s all seek. The book is secondary, religion is dead last.

John xoxo I am not a Christian. --- But I am a child.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=qq7qZrXYtvk

A bible toting organized religious Christian will never see the Christed spiritual message in this video. Hence I never knew you applies -- real time.

[kreagle]

Posted by Taurean (here)
Beliefs conflict with logic

Taurean,

I have "always" been, and still am, a big proponent of logic. I really love to be able to look at various situations from a "logical point of view". I got "hooked" on this way of "logically thinking and responding", back during the early years of my marriage, now approaching 40 years. My wife would buy various "Jigsaw Puzzle" books,....to which I soon discovered contained "logic problems" in them to be solved. I vividly remember becoming totally absorbed in arriving at a solution to each of these "logic problems",......and it soon got to the point that the "harder they were to solve",......the "more determined I became to solve them".
Consequently, "logic", has become the main driving force in my "decision making".


It appears that you are insinuating that "beliefs, in general".......get in the way.......of your implementation of logic.

I have found that "my belief system",......(since being filled with His Spirit),.......rather "defines and shapes" my usage of logic.


Now, to your credit, I have equally found that there are "quite a few" belief systems,....available today,.....that will, indeed,.....blow "logic" right out of the water!!!

Perhaps you need to take "another look" at a "completely new belief system".


A "proper" belief system will fit "logic",......like a glove!


Your friend and servant,.......kreagle

[Deborah (ahamkara)]

"Jesus died for somebody's sins-
But not mine"

Patti Smith

[kreagle]

Posted by WhiteFeather (here)
Christian is a power label.....if you will.

WhiteFeather, and to "all"......


Ahhh!,.....the "old C word", (Christian). I believe ljwheat also stated,..."The word Christian was used then like the “N” word is used today." I'll be the first to admit that the "term,....Christian", has been so loosely used that it has become somewhat "embarrassing, in some regards" to use. It's for that "very reason" that I seldom use this word at all. If "cornered by someone" who, point blank, asks me,......."are you a Christian"?,......I will honestly answer him,....."yes",.....but I still feel somewhat uncomfortable with the question, in that, the "term" is so greatly misused.

I really believe that when the term, "Christian", made its debut on the "religious scene",.....Satan probably rubbed his hands together and gleefully said,...."Boy,....I'm going to really have fun with this one!",.....(And he has, too!,.....I'm sad to say!)

You see,....everyone who "says they are a Christian",......in reality,....are not "all" Christians!

More often than not,....it is a 'term' used by someone who wishes to "validate,....or shall we say,....self-anoint themselves" to the position of "being saved". (note: here's another "term", (saved), that is just as misused as the word "Christian", is!)


So,.....do "Christians" exist today, or even yesterday,....or "ever"?


Well,...............YES,...............and.............NO........

That is.......


1) "YES" in the case of the individual who "lives the life of Christ in their heart",.....without having to proclaim it "from the mountain top"!

and......


2) "NO" in the case of the individual who,...."has to tell it to everyone they meet, (I'm a Christian!!)",.......but never truly experiencing the life of Christ in their heart!


No greater compliment and "testimony" can possibly be "said or viewed" than that of a "Christian encounter",....where.......no "external sign" (ball cap, t-shirt, etc. that 'advertises Christianity'), is on display,.......no "grand proclamation" is made by the "believer",......no "Christian literature" handed out,.......just a "genuine Spirit-filled smile,.....and a "kind and uplifting word"!

I've seen "scores of people", at supermarkets and stores, turn their heads in "awe and wonder",....when "such a person as this",....(the real Christian),.....crosses their path.

It's "times like these" that you know,......."you've just met a Christian"!!!


"All" Christians need to, daily,... "look into the mirror",.....and "reflect on where God has brought them from",.....less they forget!


1 Peter 2:9-10
King James Version (KJV)

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy

It's "only by His mercy" that we are even given a "chance to become a Christian", to begin with!


Your friend and servant,........kreagle

[ljwheat]

Posted by ljwheat (here)
According to what I have read, Christ was out side the organized religion of that time, and the ones calling the religious movement were the Roman soldiers who by mandated by the politicians to destroy these Christians.

The word Christian was used then like the “N” word is used today. Them f’n Christian bustards were in hiding, just like Nati Germany in wwii today. Non were calling them selves Christians, it was the cussing of the Roman soldier’s.

And like today you hear “Yo” my ‘N’ what’s up. -- now they’ve taken a cuss word and adopted it as there very own and no one else is allowed to say it except a Christian ‘Bro‘.

The hole 23rd chapter of Matthew speaks of how christ spoke against organized religion, religious leader, and the positions of that era.

He also told us not to pray to your father in heaven before men, but to go in secret before your father.

If one study’s New testament Greek, instead of story’s from men in organized religious establishments who have mangled the truth so bad, even the elect have gone astray. And unless the day’s were shorted, no flesh would be saved from the mangled deception of the anti Christ -- religion. Blind men leading the blind. --- Christians. According to New Testament Greek.-- Moody bible institute L.A. Cal.

Christians follow men of Religion. Christ like spirits follow the Way of old as he did then. Read the first couple pages of any bible, just before you get to Genesis. Written by men to create there version of religious rule. What book did Christ speak from, or was it from the heart/? Before men manipulated the crap out of it. Just like the house of representatives and our congress do still today, constantly changing the legal words of old or new.

Believing in anything organized by men, is to leave your brains on the floor and follow them to a promise outside of yourself. Christ empowers your spirit, You shall do even greater things than you see of Me.---Men and religion strips that power away ’come follow me.’ anti-Christ. that’s why he said “ I never new you” following the false Christ of man‘s religion.

Break away from organized church, stay home and read it for your self, in secret before your father, and the spirit in your heart that will teach you of all things and is no lie. In your heart is the kingdom and the answer’s all seek. The book is secondary, religion is dead last.

John xoxo I am not a Christian. --- But I am a child.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=qq7qZrXYtvk

A bible toting organized religious Christian will never see the Christed spiritual message in this video. Hence I never knew you applies -- real time.

Instead of standing on the rock of spiritual understanding, religion has allowed one to sink into the rock -- imprisoned in dogma of manipulated scripture. And Christ wept as he look upon the masses lead astray. Peace and love is in the heart not the organized head and spouting of many words.

Once the raft of religion reaches shore, one needs to disembark before its carried out to sea. All this is in Matthew 23rd chapter. AND the awakend hearts of men, and the video above. John xoxo

[Beren]

Posted by Davy (here)
To be a Christian is to be Christ like unfortunately most so called Christians are far from that.

Exactly. It`s because people get caught into religions stuff and miss the point of Christ.
It`s this leap of faith of sorts that one has to jump.

It`s the precise moment in one`s life when your soul decides will you embrace God fully and actually trust it completely or you will embrace visible human structures because you feel safer there?

Religion is a tool but eventually the need for it stops...except for greedy caught in their desire to rule the people`s wills.

[Beren]

Posted by DeDukshyn (here)

Posted by Arpheus (here)
The way i look at it people have to stop believing things and start to think for themselves more,see folks the thing is the whole believe thing is one hell of a trap filled with dogma evil perversion and the list goes on and on,thats how they divide and conquer us like KINGS ,we need to start THINKING a lot more and stop believing all this crap we are being fed from the moment we are born into this beautiful planet of ours,Belief systems are the eternal trap that the controllers use to estabilish their world with their rules to run things the way THEY WANT,stop believing and start THINKING,because when you THINK it will set you free and you will start to see things the way they really are,and boy thats not a pleasant thing at first,but you get used to it and what a wonder it is,anyway i dont mean to offend anyone my friends but i really THINK we gotta start THINKING MORE AND BELIEVING LESS,in order to achieve a real sense and fell of what true spirituality and christianity really is all about,just my 2 cp!!
Peace and harmony to all!!

I agree, and the way I look at it is simply: "Believe nothing, but consider everything." - however this is not really on topic to what the OP requested.

Oh but it is!!!



Thinking more means to connect the obvious dots and see what makes one a Christian- his behavior and energy pattern that he emits or ...?

[Beren]

Posted by DeDukshyn (here)
My take is a little different on the whole "Christ" thing than what the religion says, but I think that is somewhat the goal here. I was born and raised Christian so I am very familiar.

I don't see Jesus (whoever he was) as the Christ or God, but I believe there was a man in which the Christ was able to speak through, and I also believe that we all have this ability as the man named Jesus told us. The mind is a two part structure, an ego, and a higher self. Right now the ego is driving. Jesus managed to put his ego in the back seat which allowed the Christ to be expressed through him. Apotheosis. The Christ is our collective higher selves, a vast consciousness that desires to connect with each of us. But this can only happen when the ego is not in the drivers seat, a polarity in the mind has to flip before this can take place.

So I see any notion to attempt to put the ego in the back seat and have the higher consciousness -- the Christ -- do the driving, as being "Christian" in a loose sense, and I feel this is exactly what the Christ has been trying to tell us through Jesus but as well many others to different extents.

So my view has removed the religion completely from being a "Christian", and allows that term to be more general to anyone seeking the direct guidance of the Christ consciousness. So now under this new definition, for me, anyone from any religion or walk of life can be a "Christian" (to use a label - its just a label).

Afterall, is this not what Jesus was really trying to tell us? My 2 cents.

Your 2 cents are more like million $

You said it well the whole post!

It`s like this ;
the unimaginable intelligent energy power or force that created all is God in our view.
It is omnipotent-scient-present- all powerful.

And it created us in our true form as souls or spirits as its parts ready to explore different possibilities of existence, an indestructible parts of God itself.

So God needed to send a part of his essence in a form of a man similar to us (Jesus) to make us understand the message he has for us.
Even through Jesus as terrestrial representation of God it was hard for many to grasp the message of Love.

That`s why this thread for all of us to delve deeper and to place on light what does it mean to BE Christian!

[ljwheat]

Posted by Beren (here)

Posted by Davy (here)
To be a Christian is to be Christ like unfortunately most so called Christians are far from that.

Exactly. It`s because people get caught into religions stuff and miss the point of Christ.
It`s this leap of faith of sorts that one has to jump.

It`s the precise moment in one`s life when your soul decides will you embrace God fully and actually trust it completely or you will embrace visible human structures because you feel safer there?

Religion is a tool but eventually the need for it stops...except for greedy caught in their desire to rule the people`s wills.

Another home run Sir Beren. Where do you see Christ as a home owner? Homeless giving his all, including a drink of water to anyone that thirst. What church did Christ go to? What Cadillac or town car did he drive? What is gained by laying down your life for your brother? Eternal life with out end.

The forest in my eye is greater than the speck of dust in your eye. Peace and prosperity shall follow you in all your step if your eye be signal in spirit. And not of the world.

Religion is hooked to the monetary system. Christ is hooked to eternal spirituality.

Living life doped up on religion, everything is foggy and fuzzy worm feelings.

Free in Christ we sit like Job, in ashes as the religious point and judge what they know not. Its not about the external. Never was or ever will be and scripture will never make the physical a thing to live in or worship.

Billions follow in the steps of St. Peters shoe’s. Christ had none he gave his away. He walked in spirit as spirit-- religion and traditions -- no ware in his walk. Matthew and the little book of john speak of this. Revelation was written around the same time as Daniel in the old testament.

The end of Revelations, that end phrase is why its out of order, so people would not take from or add to this manipulated code enforcement book of rules. In Christ there are no rules. Save -- ‘love all as they self.’

Much love to all. John xoxo

[bogeyman]

The term "Christian" may of altered through the pasting of time. Just has certain words have changed their meaning or no longer used. What was the original meaning of the term Christian from the various documents, which make up the New Testiment? Was the term understood in a different context for each of the apostles?

[kreagle]

Posted by ahamkara (here)
"Jesus died for somebody's sins-
But not mine"

Patti Smith

ahamkara,


With your quote,....I'm reminded of a time, in my life, where I had a "ticket in hand" to go to a particular "sporting event". I had been "looking forward" to this "sporting event" for quite some time, but......alas, when the time arrived for this "sporting event" to take place,....I was "unable to attend" because of "circumstances beyond my control" which prevented me from going.


You see, ahamkara,.....whether you realize it, or not,......."you are the one, in this analogy, who has a ticket in hand",.......bought and paid for by Jesus Christ, Himself! Now,.... whether you take advantage of this "ticket in hand" and ultimately "attend the glorious event, Itself",.....is going to be "entirely up to you"!!


It's here in this "analogy" that things begin to take a dramatic turn,....in "your favor",.....in that,......"these circumstances are not beyond your control"! You are, indeed,....."fully in control" as to whether or not you "ultimately are in attendance",....my dear friend!


I sincerely hope to "see you there"!!


Your friend and servant,.......kreagle

[bogeyman]

The term maybe differently interpreted by each individual. Just like you can have many artists painting the same scenery, yet each picture the artist creates will be different, according to his own interpertation and experience. Just as our path to the creator, for each one of us it is different. Can he term Christian be defined...in these terms, probably not.

[kreagle]

Posted by bogeyman (here)
The term "Christian" may of altered through the pasting of time. Just has certain words have changed their meaning or no longer used. What was the original meaning of the term Christian from the various documents, which make up the New Testiment? Was the term understood in a different context for each of the apostles?

bogeyman,


Here, in Scripture, is where we "first" see the real usage of the "term......christian".


Acts 11:25-27
King James Version (KJV)

25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.


I am fully persuaded that the "term" has basically always meant what it is suppose to mean,.....but like "most other religious concepts",.....has been "drug through the muck mire of public scrutiny" and consequently lost a lot of it's luster.

God will not be "mocked",....though.


Your friend and servant,........kreagle

[Rantaak]

Posted by Beren (here)

Posted by Rantaak (here)
According to my friend Jesus, being a Christian means giving your power away to a theocratic set of indoctrinating axioms which force one into a mode of subservient violence.

Jesus was not a Christian. The bible and all other accompanying hogwash is making him roll in his proverbial grave. Dante Aligheri understood this truth on a very intimate level - hence the social commentary known as the Divine Comedy. The Vatican is lying twice. First they said that we can go to hell for lack of subservience. Then they said hell wasn't real. The real truth is that we're living in hell right now and this is as dead as we'll ever be.

Enjoy it while it's still around!

I don`t know about which Jesus you`re talking about

To be Christian means to take power back to you and decide actually to live on a higher way,meaning if you will, vibrate higher frequency of Love and compassion and joy.
It`s a tough decision to make...

Being Christian (and this is a generalization due to the ubiquitous meaning of the term) does not give you any power except that which deludes one from believing that any dissenting entities have anything valuable to offer. In one word, subservience (to a false embodiment of the mind of the universe).

[kcbc2010]

The definition I was given as a kid was "someone who believes that Jesus is their personal Lord and Savior".

The definition I apply as an adult is different because I look at behavior more than I listen to words these days.

A lot of people are culturally Christian, but they aren't believers. Their actions give them away. A lot of people are Christian, in the legalistic sense, but don't know the finer points of compassion and accepting people where they are. A lot of people are Christian, but don't like "Christians" and "organized religion" - for various reasons.....

This is a question that the church struggles with. Some hold up their attendance record and think that is what determines whether you are faithful or not.

I'm not sure there is a good, universal definition that can be applied - especially given the divisions in the church (and sometimes brought on by the church itself).

[kreagle]

Posted by kcbc2010 (here)
The definition I was given as a kid was "someone who believes that Jesus is their personal Lord and Savior".

The definition I apply as an adult is different because I look at behavior more than I listen to words these days.

A lot of people are culturally Christian, but they aren't believers. Their actions give them away. A lot of people are Christian, in the legalistic sense, but don't know the finer points of compassion and accepting people where they are. A lot of people are Christian, but don't like "Christians" and "organized religion" - for various reasons.....

This is a question that the church struggles with. Some hold up their attendance record and think that is what determines whether you are faithful or not.

I'm not sure there is a good, universal definition that can be applied - especially given the divisions in the church (and sometimes brought on by the church itself).

kcbc2010,


You are "hitting the nail on the head", so to speak, as to the core problem with the term "Christian".

A lot of people are culturally Christian, but they aren't believers. Their actions give them away. A lot of people are Christian, in the legalistic sense, but don't know the finer points of compassion and accepting people where they are. A lot of people are Christian, but don't like "Christians" and "organized religion" - for various reasons.....

To "many", today, who want to "play the game of Christian",...(and that's what they are doing!),....do so "exactly" as you are pointing out in your post,....with the all "inclusive" word,........"but......"! You see, instead of them accepting the role of a Christian "unconditionally",......they want to do it......."with conditions". Either through the lack of "sound Biblical teachings",......or simply because they are hard-headed,.....they never learn to "subdue themselves" and to "think of others" properly. The "but factor" that you allude to, above, drives them to "pick out" the parts of Christianity that don't suite them. In reality, the "but factor" is nothing more than a "clear indicator" that something is "terribly amiss" in this persons' overall "Christian experience".

A "spirit like this", left unchecked, will do nothing but lead to "false hopes",......instead of the "hope of glory"!


Ephesians 1:17-19
King James Version (KJV)

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,


Your friend, brother, and servant...........kreagle

[bogeyman]

Judge people by their actions, not their title of words they speak. "...faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:17.

[bogeyman]

There are many forms of christianity, each domination have a different prespective on what the term "christian" means. This further adds smoke to the hall of mirrors!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._denominations

[Revere]

For me it is to strive with all your heart to be Christ like in your relationship with mankind and your journey in loving God with all your heart, mind and soul as He loves us unconditionally. So, yes I fall short and I am not where I want to be but thank god I am not where I use to be. It is a growing process.
Denominations and "religiousness" are just mankind and evil mudding up the waters for their self oriented purposes. God cannot be put in a box and he wants a relationship with each one of us. No one can really know until they seek Him. This is my journey so far.

Peace my friends,
-R-

[ljwheat]

The holy spirit witch is in you shall give answer when you have need and is no lie but the living word of God. Not when you remember a scripture.

Not from the religious memorizations in scripture of men’s brains and much speaking.

All scripture points to this living word that’s in you. Speaking scripture from the head or book keeps the living holy spirit from speaking new living scripture threw your life and actions. Written words of the past--(religion) or living word of god from your spirit. that’s the dividing line in a living God and a written god of religion. This is what they all did before the written word popped up 200 years after Christ passed this on in all that he pointed to. He never pointed at the bible, it didn't exist. living word of God in you. before the book of religion came on the sceen, put together by a King? in an effort to bring all the quoralling religious sects at that time, under one umbrella.? didn't work, there all still devided.

The living word of God in your heart can never be devided or corrupted in arguments of inturpitaion of a /book.

The book is left to interpolation as it applyed to the person it was written to then. Living word of God is in the moment its needed and its for you, not the world or a religion to use for monetary gain.

Its fine as a history book to see what they were pointing at-- the living word that lives’ within you the holy spirit.

It’s a personal connection to your living word of spirit of God--- not a connection to a book of history.

21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

And all this was pointed to with out a book or scripture it didnt exsist then, these saying came from the holy spirit the living word in your heat. Time to think about getting off the raft of religion in your head--- and back to the living word of God that speaks in and threw you personally--- not religiously from the head. and much speaking and boasting of how well you know scripture, wouldnt it be better to get to know your holy spirit instead? Its Living. surch your heart, not your head filled religion. ---like a parrett you speak-- is what it sounds like to other's when you speak words of religion instead speaking from your heart of the living spirit thats in you, then just maybe then people may take notice and may quote you like they did in scripture of those that spoke of things in there heart from our father in heaven thats also in your heart. know Him living in you, not scripture in your head. its all about were your looking.


15And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

16But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

17Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

this is why i say "i am not a christian"--- but I am a child.--- big difference surch your hearts not religious dogma's and beliefs.