What does it mean to be real?

[missmuffet]

What does it mean to be a real Christian? Is it more than just talk? Is it enough simply to say we're real or should we be able to see we're real? What should we see? Could a jury convict you of being a Christian? Would they have hard evidence?

Edited October 25, 2019 by missmuffet

[Who me]

Great question/challenge.

That people who know you see that it means something to you, that you have to work at avoiding/resisting temptation, that you do care for people and that what you say is matched by your life, despite your equal vissible failures.

[johnthebaptist]

7 hours ago, missmuffet said:

What does it mean to be a real Christian? Is it more than just talk? Is it enough simply to say we're real or should we be able to see we're real? What should we see? Could a jury convict you of being a Christian? Would they have hard evidence?

Maybe there are two classes of Christians. One class says they are Christian but exert little effort trying to do the Lord's will. The second class would be those who really are trying to do the Lord's will.

[OneLight]

You question, @missmuffet. reminded me of a song sung long ago by Casting Crowns called "Stained Glass Masquerade".  Do we allow people to know the real us, all the good and bad that makes us who we truly are, or do we put up a front so we look good?  Good question.

[lovethelord]

Hi MissMuffet,

No human court could determine who a real Christian is except our Lord Father who sees our hearts. There are many who do a good job of looking like Christians on the outside, but like we learn in God’s Word they were never part of his sheep. People who are genuine Christians get confirmation from His indwelling Spirit and a changed life in regards to sin.

[missmuffet]

37 minutes ago, lovethelord said:

Hi MissMuffet,

No human court could determine who a real Christian is except our Lord Father who sees our hearts. There are many who do a good job of looking like Christians on the outside, but like we learn in God’s Word they were never part of his sheep. People who are genuine Christians get confirmation from His indwelling Spirit and a changed life in regards to sin.

I think a human court could determine a true Christian with some good witnesses. 

[Blood Bought 1953]

It takes Angels to discern the wheat from the Tares ......that should tell us a lot....

[Neighbor]

10 hours ago, missmuffet said:

I think a human court could determine a true Christian with some good witnesses. 

 I suspect that all  a human court  might do is confirm trappings of behavior that  Christianity endorses is  common with many  moral codes of conduct.  The doer of them may  or may not be Christian.

One cannot see the faith of Jesus, one cannot see the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Perhaps best evidence  to be found in the Christian is in the Christian not knowing that which he does; as the Christian does not let even his left  hand know what the right hand is doing. Much of what the born again saint does is done in a manner that does not telegraph any glory to himself at all for anyone to see. It is literally done  in an eleemosynary manner, with all Glory to God alone.

Real humility is quite invisible,  the works produced of it perhaps known only to God the Holy Spirit. So no I don't think outward appearances much distinguish any born again saint from any other doer of any moral code; and therefore there will be no suficient evidence confirming the  specific calling of the Holy Spirit  for an individual to turn about from their sin against God and to  submission to Jesus as Lord God and savior. One can declare it to themself, and others, and that is done at many a water baptism, but none can prove it.

Seems also many that think they are saved will find Jesus rejecting their impression, to their eternal loss. Just as no person saves another, none that are saved  by God alone are known by sight either.

[ReneeIW]

14 years ago I took a summer intro to the New Testament class at a local community college just for personal enrichment and the professor started the class by saying:

“Christianity: Can I say what I believe, and do I live it out?”

[Blood Bought 1953]

99.9% of College Professors are totally ignorant about Christianity.....they think it’s a religion.....as does most of the World and many people who think they are “ Christians”.They actually belong to the church of “Repenta-Juda-Anity” Where Law is mixed with Grace, which cancels Grace, and you must remember all of your sins and be sorry about them before you die, lest one be Cast into Hell.......