Is this Christian?

[Broncos1982]

I know someone who says she is a Christian and believes in Jesus Christ as her savior.... however, she has bought a house with her boyfriend (no, they aren't married) and have pre-marital sex. She also gets drunk a couple times a month.

Now, I don't want to be one to judge, but I tried to hold her accountable for getting drunk, and her response was that I drink too (which is true, but I don't get drunk). So is she still considered a follower of Christ? or is she considered an unbeliever by her actions?

 

[amadeus2]

The followers of Jesus are Christians, even if they are not yet overcomers.

"But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Matt 9:12-13

We are all still growing...or should be!

 

[jason h]

When you look at someone, where they are at the moment in their life, it's easy to find things that would make you question or confirm their walk with Christ. I only need to look back on my life to realize what I looked like to people who may have been solid christians. It wouldnt have been pretty and at times now, still has faults. None of us know fully and without a doubt who will be saved or even what that looks like early on, or even how long that process will take. We should live out an example and pray for open doors to communicate with people. And when we get an open door with someone, we should pray for wisdom and discernment to know how to talk to them.

I dont know where that girl is in relation to God. That's His work. I only know how I live in front of others and pray for them.

 

[Chad]

Please check out this link:

http://www.talkjesus.com/bible-stud...-say-about-christian-behavior.html#post210745

 

[Redemption]

Sounds like she's imprefect, like the rest of us. I believe that there are sins of thought which are far worse than drinking, or pre-marital sex. A lot of people seem to think that the direct center of Christian morality is revolved around sex. It has become thought of this way because we are a sex crazed society. Lust is a fleabite in comparison to cruelty, arrogance, and pride for example. Please do not think that I am promoting inebriating and lustual behaviours, I certainly am not. But I believe that you can be good loving person and still drink etc. and love Christ. Conversely I doubt that somebody whos sins consist largely of cruelty (for one example) etc. really hold the love of Christ in their heart.

Of course you can be imperfect and be a follower of Christ. Much like you, and much like I. Do you sin? Yet are you a follower of Christ? Me too

 

[will]

I am encouraged to read the Scriptural responses above.
Not too long ago, I too, thought that someone's behavior is a reflection of his/her salvation state.

But the Scriptures clearly distinguishes between immature (teknos) and mature (teleios) Christians. Both are unquestionably saved.

Immature (or infant) Christians are still trapped in their wordly / fleshly desires, not knowing yet what joy it is to realize that we (as a new creation in Christ) are no longer beholden to sin.

So the best thing that we can do for our friends is to come alongside them and study the Scriptures with them. No amount of "calling out" or "holding into account" would do any good for they still haven't understand these concepts, let alone embrace them. Accountability comes *after* the baby Christians have grown (by the power of the Holy Spirit within him/her), even just a little.

 

[Peace Seeker]

I know someone who says she is a Christian and believes in Jesus Christ as her savior.... however, she has bought a house with her boyfriend (no, they aren't married) and have pre-marital sex. She also gets drunk a couple times a month.

Now, I don't want to be one to judge, but I tried to hold her accountable for getting drunk, and her response was that I drink too (which is true, but I don't get drunk). So is she still considered a follower of Christ? or is she considered an unbeliever by her actions?

Proverb 24:16
"For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief."

How long has she been a Christian? There are babes in Christ that may not look like they are saved but are nonetheless. Whether we like it or not, EVERY believer is an ongoing raging battle between the sinful flesh and the Spirit of God (Romans 7:22-23; James 4:1). There are NO perfect Christians, we are all sinners saved by God's grace. We stand by His grace and when we fall we remain in His grace.

There are even examples in the bible of believers that go into sin and stay there for quite some time. King David committed adultery with Bathsheba, then murdered her husband to cover up the resulting illegitimate pregnancy, and remained in an unrepentant state about it all for a whole year. Samson had immoral relations with a prostitute (Judges 16), yet Samson was a believer, as was David.

When we carefully read 1 Corinthians we can see just HOW BAD those believers were. They were suing each other (6:6). They were coming to the Lord's Supper drunk (11:21). They were divided amongst each other in quarrels (1:12). Fornication was openly allowed in the church (5:1). They even ate meats offered to idols (8:4). Yet the Apostle Paul referred to them as BABES IN CHRIST.

For me, personally, when I look back I shudder at what an awful Christian I have been at different stages in my life, which leads me to shudder all the more at the enormity of Christ's saving grace at work in my life to bring me to where I am in my walk with Him now.

With God the end result is more important than the present, while with man, the present always seems to be the focus. God bless!

 

[Davy]

I know someone who says she is a Christian and believes in Jesus Christ as her savior.... however, she has bought a house with her boyfriend (no, they aren't married) and have pre-marital sex. She also gets drunk a couple times a month.

Now, I don't want to be one to judge, but I tried to hold her accountable for getting drunk, and her response was that I drink too (which is true, but I don't get drunk). So is she still considered a follower of Christ? or is she considered an unbeliever by her actions?

I am not setting my self up as judge and jury, however looking to the bible as a guide in how to view such behavior, I thought about what the apostle Paul had to say regarding immoral sexual behavior. In 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, he discusses sexual immorality within the Christian congregation, in verse 5, he instructs them to hand over this unrepentant man to Satan, who was clearly unrepentant because he was boasting about it. This means he is excommunicated from the congregation back into Satan's world, and thus protecting the congregation form such corrupting influence and showing there are consequences for immoral behavior. Later when he repented Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:5-8 told them to welcome him back into their congregation. That may sound harsh, but sex before marriage is wrong IN GOD'S EYE'S!!! There is no way around that. So a true Christian congregation should insist that they at least get married, otherwise according to the bible she should be put out of the congregation. As regards King David who committed adultery and murder, he repented and married the woman, and God mercifully forgave him. But if he had become rebellious and prideful, the accounts of him in the bible would have been much different. Remember, it is not just about the sin, it is whether they are repentant and of course a immature Christian would be given time to conform their life to God's standards.

As regards drunkenness, the bible repeatedly refers to the adverse consequences of those who practice getting drunk. (Proverbs 23:20, 21, 29-33; Hosea 4:11) The Bible commands that "unrepentant and habitual" drunkards are to be expelled from the Christian congregation. (1 Corinthians 5:11-13) Further, the works of the flesh include "drunken bouts and wild parties or revelries," which things unsaved people in the world practice. A Christian, having been cleansed from such practices but thereafter returning to them and proving unrepentant, would be prevented from entering God's Kingdom. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) We are to cease practicing the ways of the world by engaging in the excessive use of wine and drinking matches. (1 Peter 4:3) Rather, we should devote ourselves to producing the fruits of God's spirit. (Galatians 5:19) Remember, it in not necessarily about isolated sins, it is about whether you practice unrepentantly that sin!

In conclusion, the comments of Jesus come to mind in Matthew 7:21-23, (NASB): "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'" You can call yourself a Christian, but in God's eyes, Christians "practice" what they preach, otherwise they are just hypocrites.

 

[Telma]

We are all a work in progress,(I know I am).
Only God knows her heart and we have no right to judge.If she truly is born again then the Holy Spirit is working on her and,in due time,those around her will see a change.

God bless

 

[brakelite]

It is encouraging at least that someone such as this woman chooses to name the name of Jesus and confess her faith in Him. However, in reply to the OP's question,"is this Christian?" the answer is clearly a resolute no! And never must it be suggested that such practices are in any way shape or form, Christian.
If the woman in question has recently accepted Christ into her life, she must be told in no uncertain terms that part and parcel with her confession of Christ is a turning away from sin. Her continuing practice of habitual sin as a lifestyle presents to me a problem. Being born again means a change of heart toward God, toward oneself, toward sin and righteousness, toward one's fellow man.
If the OP's description of her lifestyle is accurate, then it seems to me that she may be still unconverted.
If she continues to confess the name of Jesus as her Saviour, while also practicing open sin, she presents a decided danger to all others contemplating the Christian life. If such compromise is permissable for her, why not me they may ask?
We are called to holiness. Though those sinful Corinthians were called 'babes in Christ', Paul nevertheless showed no mercy when it came to their testimony. Sin in the church, the body of Christ, is never to be condoned.

 

[farout]

What makes you or anyone beleive she is a believer? She sounds like a fan of Jesus but surely not a follower. Only followers of Jesus who are surrendered to Jesus are Christians. Check it out Jesus never said go have some fun and then I will be here waiting for you. The very sad but really bad news is many people who call Him Lord are not HIS.

If I anyone, reads this answer this for yourself, ARE YOU A FAN OF JESUS OR A TRUE FOLLOWER?

 

[El Hombre viejo]

When you look at someone, where they are at the moment in their life, it's easy to find things that would make you question or confirm their walk with Christ. I only need to look back on my life to realize what I looked like to people who may have been solid christians. It wouldnt have been pretty and at times now, still has faults. None of us know fully and without a doubt who will be saved or even what that looks like early on, or even how long that process will take. We should live out an example and pray for open doors to communicate with people. And when we get an open door with someone, we should pray for wisdom and discernment to know how to talk to them.

I dont know where that girl is in relation to God. That's His work. I only know how I live in front of others and pray for them.

Very good and scriptural answer Jason. We can all learn from you.