Jude 2

What does it really mean? In your words and/or using the Word:

I have been asking myself and God and sometimes others that often over the last few months or year or so: What does it really mean to live and walk as Jesus walked, to truly be a Christian?

What do you believe it means?

To me it means to live by His Commandments everyday.
To try to do something, no mater how small, to make someone's life better every single day. To show in my actions, not only only in my words, my Christian beliefs. I know that I do not always succeed but I pray for His forgiveness and guidance and I continue to try.

Jennifer Smith wrote:What do you feel it means?

Ah, we can tell this question was asked by a Pentecostal; meaning is determined by feelings.

Jennifer Smith wrote:
What do you feel it means?

Good question Sis, but maybe to keep this thread from drifting into something else, we could change the word "feel" with discern.

feel=believe, in this case. But I will change it, to clarify.

Ah, we can tell this question was asked by a Pentecostal; meaning is determined by feelings.


Evil or Very Mad

From dictionary.com -

8. to have a general or thorough conviction of; think; believe: I feel he's guilty.

Any rational person who read the post understood that this was the intended meaning of the word feel.

God Bless You- Sam Smith

No hijacking! What do you really feel, believe, discern that it looks like to be a Christian;
to walk like Jesus walked.. A disciple, learner, follower, imitator of Jesus?

rjc wrote:To me it means to live by His Commandments everyday.
To try to do something, no mater how small, to make someone's life better every single day. To show in my actions, not only only in my words, my Christian beliefs. I know that I do not always succeed but I pray for His forgiveness and guidance and I continue to try.

Thanks, rjc!

justsam wrote:Any rational person who read the post understood that this was the intended meaning of the word feel.

Any cueball with a lick of sense would have known the complaint was somewhat tounge in cheek.

Gerald Creasy wrote:

justsam wrote:Any rational person who read the post understood that this was the intended meaning of the word feel.

Any cueball with a lick of sense would have known the complaint was somewhat tounge in cheek.

Somewhat? Next time put a smiley in there!
(Hey, is that a veiled reference to Sam's hairline? )

Jennifer,

When someone hears the Gospel, the good news that Jesus died, was resurrected, and believes the message, this is an indication that the Holy Spirit has already worked in their hearts to bring about new creation. This is exactly what a Christian is.

The change that takes place in this person's life is a change of heart. This should be reflected by a love for god and a love for those around them. But this change is cruciform (cross shaped). In other words, the love for others is reflected in a sacrificial life of love.

Christians take the pain of the world around us and bear it. This is the life to which Jesus calls us...to take up a cross...to bring God's justice to bear in this present life.

Jesus didn't come to give the world a new ethical standard though a higher ethic may result from a change of heart. He came to inaugerate his kingdom and those who hear and believe the message are called to take part.

Just a few thoughts.

irthnvesl wrote:Jennifer,

When someone hears the Gospel, the good news that Jesus died, was resurrected, and believes the message, this is an indication that the Holy Spirit has already worked in their hearts to bring about new creation. This is exactly what a Christian is.

The change that takes place in this person's life is a change of heart. This should be reflected by a love for god and a love for those around them. But this change is cruciform (cross shaped). In other words, the love for others is reflected in a sacrificial life of love.

Christians take the pain of the world around us and bear it. This is the life to which Jesus calls us...to take up a cross...to bring God's justice to bear in this present life.

Jesus didn't come to give the world a new ethical standard though a higher ethic may result from a change of heart. He came to inaugerate his kingdom and those who hear and believe the message are called to take part.

Just a few thoughts.

"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new." That verse is what your post reminded me of!

"we" have taken the term to be something endearing. I don't believe it was meant to be that way from initial intention. but that's another thread for a different forum.

I believe that it means something different to many people. which is pretty obvious, since so many "claim" or profess to be Christian. I don't believe it is about doctrine, dogma, or creedal statements. To me, being "a Christian" is simply accepting Christ as savior, and that He paid the price for the Christian's sin and the potential for a full salvation of the body and soul are available as well as the spirit.

however, being a disciple is much, much more. To me it is about faith, righteousness, Holiness and living the life God gave to me the best I can while following His direction, to the best of my ability. So, while Paul's teaching of "faith alone" for salvation is key, James teaching that faith brings works, is elemental to the disciple.

While all disciples are Christians, not all Christians are, or even want to be Disciples. this isn't something that is about self-righteousness, or pre-judgment. it is about living your faith to it's fullest extent of your understanding and ability and CHANGING, as you continue to grow in that relationship with The tri-unity-God-head.

Jesus said that if you had seen him, you had seen the Father. He did His Father's will and spoke His Father's words. He said that He was the light of the world while He was in the world. Then He said that we were to be the light of the world.

As He exemplified, so also ought we also to be. We are called to be disciples of Christ, apprentices, learning and doing everything His way, even as He did all things the Father's way. Our words must be the one He would have us say... our actions the ones he would have us do.

As apprentices, we will sometimes fail (probably often), but we must aspire to learn the ways of our Master.

If we do not intend to live the life Christ lived, then we should not profess to be His followers. If we profess to be His followers, we have the responsibility to live as His representatives.

We must live our lives in such a way that we can say, "If you've seen me, you've seen Christ." Christ in me, the hope of glory.

To me, it's simple...being a Christian is being "like Christ". The Bible is full of His examples on how we should live, act, speak, love, etc... Also, I strive every day to stay as close to Christ as I possibly can, just in case He should call me home rather quickly.