nilolf

Being a Christian in this world was never easy, if we look into the Scriptures from that perspective. What happened with the disciples and apostles? What said Jesus about following him? And what about the end of times? The Chrisitan church was always and continue to be under persecution, in one or other way. And the persecution doesn't mean always physical! So as bad as things can look or to be, the Gospel and its proclamation will not be stopped, "because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..." 1 Corinthians 1:16. Satan is doing all what he can to damage and to destroy God's creation and the Christian church, God's people, but he has not the power of God, he is not God - Satan is a creature, a fallen angel, so he is under the Creator. We shall not fear, but be sure that God in His grace and love will take us through these times. "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-39

For me it's clear from the Scripture that we as Christians are sinners who by repentence are forgiven through the grace of God in Christ. The Apostle Paul writes clearly about this to the Romans, and in other epistels. To the Corinthians, who were having big problems as a church, and some were even living imoral shameful lives, he calls them "sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holly" (1 Co 1:2), and on his second letter: "As fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the time of salvation I helped you. ' I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the time of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 God is clear in his Law about condemning sin and showing the consequences of it in eternity. At the same time, God's love is clearly ofered to everyone in the Gospel. There is always a last minute to someone to repent and be forgiven by God, through faith in Christ. But "Christian unrepentant in sin" - no! Repentence and forgiveness is the key to be and to remain a Christian! And God knows all - so seems that we don't need to judge or to decide about who is or is not a Christian. Our role is so much needed as Chrisitians in this world, which is to proclaim to everyone and share through our lives what God has done for us in Christ so that many can belive and be part of God's Kingdom. I see it as a blessing and a priviledge!