What is a Christian and how do you become one?

[KingJ]

A Christian is best defined by John 3:16

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

A Christian is the 'whomsoever' will believe in Jesus. Now, nobody can believe a man who walked the earth 2000 years ago is the Messiah, God of the universe Isa 9:6, without some help. The bible tells us in Matt 16:16-17 and 1 Cor 12:3, that a revelation from above / the Holy Spirit is necessary. It is completely impossible to believe Jesus is Lord without a revelation from the Holy Spirit 1 Cor 12:3. Paul also speaks to a faith given in Rom 12:3.

So, we need to ask, how does one get a revelation of Jesus. The ability to believe He is Lord and not just some unlucky individual sent to a cross.

There are a couple of verses to consider.

1. Luke 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

The underlying message from Jesus in all His teaching was for sinners to repent. He says that all who have immoral thoughts are sinners Matt 5:28. Clearly supporting the verse from Paul in Rom 3:23 All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

2. Matt 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

This is truly a hard hitting verse. Jesus, is saying that unless you can give up all, you are not worthy to follow Him. We see this in the discussion He had with the young rich man Matt 19:16-30.

3. Psalm 51:17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

This verse is interesting as we see that even in the OT God wanted repentance of sin. Some of those mortal sinners in the OT that were given capital punishment, just may be in heaven. It speaks to a depth of repentance in our hearts and our minds.

4. James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

This verse tells us with crystal clarity how to get God to draw near to us.

5. Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

I include this verse from the tribulation period as it needs to be considered. In this period where there is no Holy Spirit 2 Thess 2:6-7, the only sacrifice from us that God sees as worthy is martyrdom. Giving ones life is the greatest act of love possible John 15:13. God is impartial Acts 10:34. If He wants this depth of intent from mankind in the tribulation, He will surely want it of us prior.

6. Jer 17:9-11 God judges the heart as no man can.

Very important passage as it speaks to the fact that God is able to and clearly wants to judge the depths of our hearts and minds for sincerity. Nobody can fake repentance of sins for example and think God will per James 4:8, draw nigh to them. Or as per Rev 3:20 Jesus come into the heart of someone who does not sincerely repent.

Conclusion on how to get a revelation of Jesus in order to believe in Him as per John 3:16:

It takes true repentance of sin. A depth on par with martyrdom.

 

[KingJ]

There is a teaching going around that a Christian is someone who is literally 'one' with Jesus. He lives His life through us. IE Jesus 'literally' lives in us.

We don't sin as Jesus does not sin. Nothing we do is sin. If we do something evil, it is an opportunity to grow in understanding of Jesus living in us. OSAS 'on steroids' .

Christ Life - Home

www.christ-life.org

What are your thoughts on this?

I disagree. I would say ''Jesus in us'' is a metaphor.

 

[KingJ]

Bumped as a I feel too many Christians are still teaching Gummiberry juice Christianity .

Gummiberry Juice

For the song, see Gummiberry Juice (song) Gummiberry Juice is a magical liquid concoction, made using Gummiberries by the Gummi Bears. Gummiberry Juice is first featured in the animated show Adventures of the Gummi Bears. The juice later makes a prominent appearance in the DuckTales reboot, in...

disney.fandom.com

 

[JunoTheServant]

A Christian is best defined by John 3:16

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

A Christian is the 'whomsoever' will believe in Jesus. Now, nobody can believe a man who walked the earth 2000 years ago is the Messiah, God of the universe Isa 9:6, without some help. The bible tells us in Matt 16:16-17 and 1 Cor 12:3, that a revelation from above / the Holy Spirit is necessary. It is completely impossible to believe Jesus is Lord without a revelation from the Holy Spirit 1 Cor 12:3. Paul also speaks to a faith given in Rom 12:3.

This definition is indeed correct. Faith and belief are synonyms. Faith without works is dead so, so let's define Christianity based on behavior so people have a clear picture.

1 John 2: 6
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Do the Jesus did when he walked on this Earth and that alone will make you a Christian.

Luke 14: 26 - 27
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
(You got to love GOD soo much that your mother or wife or children can't pull you away from him)
27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

How does one bear his cross? Well let's let the bible speak

1 Peter 2: 21
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

This is a Christian, one who walks in Christ steps and this is how you bear your cross.

So, we need to ask, how does one get a revelation of Jesus. The ability to believe He is Lord and not just some unlucky individual sent to a cross.

There are a couple of verses to consider.

1. Luke 5:32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

The underlying message from Jesus in all His teaching was for sinners to repent. He says that all who have immoral thoughts are sinners Matt 5:28. Clearly supporting the verse from Paul in Rom 3:23 All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

2. Matt 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

This is truly a hard hitting verse. Jesus, is saying that unless you can give up all, you are not worthy to follow Him. We see this in the discussion He had with the young rich man Matt 19:16-30.

3. Psalm 51:17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

This verse is interesting as we see that even in the OT God wanted repentance of sin. Some of those mortal sinners in the OT that were given capital punishment, just may be in heaven. It speaks to a depth of repentance in our hearts and our minds.

4. James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

This verse tells us with crystal clarity how to get God to draw near to us.

5. Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

I include this verse from the tribulation period as it needs to be considered. In this period where there is no Holy Spirit 2 Thess 2:6-7, the only sacrifice from us that God sees as worthy is martyrdom. Giving ones life is the greatest act of love possible John 15:13. God is impartial Acts 10:34. If He wants this depth of intent from mankind in the tribulation, He will surely want it of us prior.

6. Jer 17:9-11 God judges the heart as no man can.

Very important passage as it speaks to the fact that God is able to and clearly wants to judge the depths of our hearts and minds for sincerity. Nobody can fake repentance of sins for example and think God will per James 4:8, draw nigh to them. Or as per Rev 3:20 Jesus come into the heart of someone who does not sincerely repent.

Conclusion on how to get a revelation of Jesus in order to believe in Him as per John 3:16:

It takes true repentance of sin. A depth on par with martyrdom.

You said all this yet you did not include the biblical definition of sin.

1 John 3: 4
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

So a sinner is someone who breaks God's law. So repent and start walking in his law. Jesus even said any man who do his law and teach them will be call great in the kingdom of heaven and Christ taught the law. So anyone who follows Christ should do the same because that is how you bear your cross. Most people will absolutely hate you for teaching God commandments. that's how you know you're on the right track because the world hates Jesus.

 

[KingJ]

1 John 3: 4
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

So a sinner is someone who breaks God's law. So repent and start walking in his law. Jesus even said any man who do his law and teach them will be call great in the kingdom of heaven and Christ taught the law. So anyone who follows Christ should do the same because that is how you bear your cross. Most people will absolutely hate you for teaching God commandments. that's how you know you're on the right track because the world hates Jesus.

Whenever a Christian quotes this verse in isolation, like Ray Comfort use to, it just really urks me. It shows a complete lack of understanding of sin and what in fact God hates.

This is a Mickey Mouse take on Christianity. ''If you think of adultery, you are a sinner who deserves ETERNAL PUNISHMENT'', uhm no, that would imply God is literally nuts. Is that the gospel you want to present to all? God is nuts? He will send to eternal hell someone who had an adulterous thought?

I hope that is not what you believe and I am just overly reading into your passage here.

 

[JunoTheServant]

Whenever a Christian quotes this verse in isolation, like Ray Comfort use to, it just really urks me. It shows a complete lack of understanding of sin and what in fact God hates.

This is a Mickey Mouse take on Christianity. ''If you think of adultery, you are a sinner who deserves ETERNAL PUNISHMENT'', uhm no, that would imply God is literally nuts. Is that the gospel you want to present to all? God is nuts? He will send to eternal hell someone who had an adulterous thought?

I hope that is not what you believe and I am just overly reading into your passage here.

That's the biblical definition of sin not sure what your issue is but okay. It's not like God won't forgive you but people act like this because they really want to fornicate and call themselves servants of God. You have free will so make your choice.

 

[KingJ]

That's the biblical definition of sin not sure what your issue is but okay. It's not like God won't forgive you but people act like this because they really want to fornicate and call themselves servants of God. You have free will so make your choice.

Juno, please re-read and try better digest the point being made before replying.