Why are you Christian?

[mattxiong]

Why are you Christian?

I heard someone say, “People are Christians because they don’t want to go to Hell.” Is this true? Do we merely base our entire faith, belief, and trust in God because we may possibly end up in Hell if we do not?

I believe that this is a horrible response to the reason behind our faith. I cannot accept being a Christian if it was only it would save me from Hell. Of course, this is an advantage for believing, but not a guarantee. You’re going to need to do much more than believe in God to enter Heaven. Many serial killers, psychopaths, druggies, or just regular average people believe that God does exist. Believing in something does not change anything if you do not change your life according to what you believe. If you believe in God, your entire life should automatically begin transforming. Not because you believe in God, but because your current life would be in direct contradiction with the lifestyle of a believer.

My friends, truly think about what makes you a Christian, if you consider yourself to be one. Is it because your family is a Christian family? First of all, what makes your family a Christian family anyway? –The fact that your family attends church or because your family prays before each meal? What is it? Think about this.

My personal answer for this question is: I am a Christian because I choose to be - Not because it’ll save me from the fiery pits of Hell. Not because my family is. Not because I enjoy the lifestyle. All of these “excuses” are good, but are not the determining characteristic which defines why I am who I say I am. I am a Christian because I have developed an active relationship with the Three-in-One; The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I have chosen this lifestyle for me. I have embraced it as the truth. That sums it up. I am a Christian, because it is truth.

[Samantha]

That is a question that everyone should think about. Why are you Christian? I, myself, think about it often. Honestly, I do not know if I am a Christian. What makes a Christian? How do you know if you are Christian? Is there a guideline or is it up to you as an individual to decide? Excuses, excuses, excuses. "My mom and dad made me come." "I come to see my friends." "My girlfriend goes to church." People often give the explaination of, "I was born into a Christian family." Does that make you Christian? Are you born a Christian? Or do you become a Christian on your own? It's exactly as you have said up there. I think many are confused about if they really are Christian. They think that just because their family is Christian then that makes them Christian. I do not think they know that they have to decide on their own for themselves. Me, personally? There have been many many things in my life that made me doubt God and Christianity. Sometimes I go days, weeks, even months without praying. But when I DO pray I usually ask for something and it helps and the thing I ask for comes true. It is wrong and nasty and spiteful and despicable for me to do so, I know. I know! I know that he loves me but I just can't fully accept it because there's still doubt it my heart. I don't pretend to be a Christian... Do I? I don't know how it looks to others, but to me I don't. Sometimes I try to help out and be into serving God but I think it makes me look stupid like I'm just pretending and I'm a fake. I just don't know. Hmmm that was a lot. Deep stuff. Enjoy!

[anonymous]

Being a Christian is having a relationship with Christ. If you have it in you, you'll have the desire and conviction to do his duty, to serve and to help. Of course sometimes when you feel down you'll have doubts, but that's a attribute of being human. Therefore God in turn gives us second chances, and third, fourth, fifth, and so on. I believe being a Christian is your personal choice. And there's that cliche, "accepting Christ as your Lord and Saviour." Everyone has to accept it at some point and when they do, it's a personal decision.

[Izumo]

Hmmm... I think i'll make a slightly different argument on this issue. First of all, I think this thread's title is the wrong approach in encouraging others in their faith. If you all should know, atheist are mostly Christians themselves who turned their back on God because of whatever their reasons are, I won't get into. Xf. (forgot his name) also said that most churches split up or crumble because of the Christian members themselves... Now why is that? John 8:7-11.. Let's not be like the Pharisees, whom questions and test Jesus' intentions without really knowing the truth. Everything is in God's plan. In time, His plan will unfold but it's not up to us to decide who should be where in their walk of faith.. As already stated, our faith IS determined by our relationship with Christ, and Christ alone. Moreover, only He himself is the one to decide if we're faithful to Him or not.

Sure some would already be matured in their faith but some may not and it's alright because in this race, it doesn't matter who reaches the goal line first. Matthew 19:30 says, "But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first." Point is, those who do not have the exact answer don't necessarily mean that they are ruled out.. It just means that they haven't quite grasp the meaning of Christianity yet but in time, they will understand. Who here can honestly say that they never used those suggested excuses before? I know I did, course till God opened my eyes a little. So.... in closing, this title should be "Why am I a Christian?" where one should evaluate oneself rather then pointing our finger at others which I hope that we're not doing.. In this sense, we can encourage and share our views and understanding rather then stating what we think should be characteristics of Christianity when we really don't know but base them on human standards.. Just my thought..

Anyhow, Sam, I think it's okay if you only prayed when you were in need of things. Like in the book "Prayer of Jabez"; there are many gifts in store but no one really asks God for them.. If you ask, then God will provide.. Matthew 7:7-12 sums it up well..

"7Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

In the end, God still granted what you asked Him for, which would mean that He approved of what you asked, right? Plus, we all can relate to your 'occasional praying' so you're not alone. I'm not encouraging that kind of practice because we should pray daily in order to keep our relationship strong but I have my days.. And the thing about serving God, don't worry so much about doing it for God. That would indeed make it seem like you're pretending since you're only doing it because you think its the right thing to do when you really don't want to do it, in other words, being insincere.. Instead, do it because it's what you love to do and that it is what brings you joy. Things will fall into place in God's time, so keep it up you're doing just fine.. ;D

Okay, said too much.. hope it made some sense.. Have a good week and God bless all..

[Samantha]

ninjahunter said:

Hmmm... I think i'll make a slightly different argument on this issue....

Since you were talking about mislabeling things, I would not necessarily call this an "argument," because it's not an argument in any way. It's a discussion.


I'm sorry but you made me sound like an idiot with the,

ninjahunter said:

And the thing about serving God, don't worry so much about doing it for God. That would indeed make it seem like you're pretending since you're only doing it because you think its the right thing to do when you really don't want to do it, in other words, being insincere.

part. I don't want to pretend and I do want to serve God but I just don't know how. I'm not doing those things just because I think it's the right thing to do and I do want to do those things. It's not like someone's holding a knife to my throat making me do them. To me, it sounds like you're saying exactly that. It's like you're assuming things without actually knowing. Maybe it's just the way I'm reading it? I don't know.

That was a lot of dos and don'ts and doings and thoses and things.

[Izumo]

You're right, more like a discussion sorry.. I'm a bit illiterate.. I'm bad with my choices of words.. Anyhow, it was late, so I may have not explained clearly making it sound like I was attacking you Sam but I wasn't.. ******umption was simply an example to illustrate that IF that was how you feel, that you shouldn't feel bad.. Hence don't worry about how you should serve Him. God is already slowly working through you whether you're doing small or big things.. I was just saying because sometimes, we stop short of serving God due to our thinking of what people may say or think.. So sorry for the misunderstanding and don't take it as an attack.. It's more like an encouragement, really..

[Samantha]

Thanks. I really appreciate it. I don't know if it's right or wrong, what I'm "doing." I don't even know what I'm doing...I'm just doing what I do..you know? hahaha whatever. It's ok. End of story.