Rongnongno Loc: FL

Simple question.

What are your answers?

tjim Loc: Far Northern California

Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." is a good start. Love for our brothers and sisters is a good finish. Kindness, compassion, patience, gratitude, and sacrifice are good fillers.

d3200prime

Best answer that could be given!

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Personally, without the bible quote, please.

To answer with that is rather strange and give an 'ideal' is far from what makes a christian.

I know a woman who is the most annoying person in the planet. She is 85. She visits 'old folks' (younger than her) and praise the lord all day long. She is annoying because she lives the 'come as a child'. She converted a few decades ago and never changed. She is an incredible person. A person i love but boy her 'bless the lord' in every other sentence is driving me up the wall.

The not funny part...

She has a son that I love too. He was 'burning with fire' as some would describe it. Now he is angry, disappointed: 'No one told us (he and his wife converted at the same time) that life as christians would be so hard'. I can only be sad here.

So, what makes you a christian?

d3200prime

I am a bit confused by your question. Are you asking if I believe the teachings of Jesus Christ or are you asking if I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and how that came about? Many people believe Jesus Christ teachings but have never experienced the life changing event known by many as "Salvation". This could get very, very deep.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

I am asking what makes a good christian. The question is simple.

Using the bible to answer it is not an answer as it does not take into account personal life and experience.

Have you ever met a 'prefect christian'? outwardly I mean. Neither of us know what is in anyone's heart.

tjim Loc: Far Northern California

Sorry, you simply asked what makes a christian? That's my simple answer and I won't separate scripture because it's what makes a Christian. How one should live is summed up following the scripture. I stand on my statement.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Sorry about that. I expected more from you than a lecture.

We are humans, not gods so using god as a sample just does not work.

Christ himself recognized that we would fail if it was not for him. You do not seem to realize that.

What makes a christian is about faith, belief, choices and responsibilities. It is not about a verse or ideal. It is about real life and its struggles.

A christian is a fighter by example.

tjim Loc: Far Northern California

Everything you said here is true except that I am lecturing or that I stated an ideal. I just stated a simple belief of my own and it is about real life to me. I meant no offense or judgement. I'm afraid you're asking more than we can deliver. Your answer needs to come from God. None of us here have the answer to you anger with God. Your faith seems battling something we can't understand. I'm sorry, I wish I could satisfy your hunger but only Christ can.
Do you think you are the only one who struggles, or feels pain, or fights with life? Maybe you think you are the only one who has been hurt by another Christian or can't see God because of what you see in His people. Gandhi once said “I’d be a Christian if it were not for the Christians." Yeah there's some bad ones, lot's of 'em, I've been battered some myself. But there's a whole bunch of great ones.
I'm sorry brother but verses and ideals are what lead me into faith, belief, choices and responsibilities

d3200prime

So, the question has changed. The word "good" makes it a not so simple answer. Look through the list and pick out the definition that you mean when referring to "good" then we will start over. Oh yes, since by your own mouth you have aversion to the Bible as an authority please disregard any references included in the definitions. No, I have never met a 'perfect christian'.
Good

1. Possessing desirable qualities; adapted to answer the end designed; promoting success, welfare, or happiness; serviceable; useful; fit; excellent; admirable; commendable; not bad, corrupt, evil, noxious, offensive, or troublesome, etc.
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.
- Gen. i. 31.
Good company, good wine, good welcome.
- Shak.
2. Possessing moral excellence or virtue; virtuous; pious; religious; - said of persons or actions.
In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works.
- Tit. ii. 7.
3. Kind; benevolent; humane; merciful; gracious; polite; propitious; friendly; well-disposed; - often followed by to or toward, also formerly by unto.
The men were very good unto us.
- 1 Sam. xxv. 15.
4. Serviceable; suited; adapted; suitable; of use; to be relied upon; - followed especially by for.
All quality that is good for anything is founded originally in merit.
- Collier.
5. Clever; skillful; dexterous; ready; handy; - followed especially by at.
He . . . is a good workman; a very good tailor.
- Shak.
Those are generally good at flattering who are good for nothing else.
- South.
6. Adequate; sufficient; competent; sound; not fallacious; valid; in a commercial sense, to be depended on for the discharge of obligations incurred; having pecuniary ability; of unimpaired credit.
My reasons are both good and weighty.
- Shak.
My meaning in saying he is a good man is . . . that he is sufficient . . . I think I may take his bond.
- Shak.
7. Real; actual; serious; as in the phrases in good earnest; in good sooth.
Love no man in good earnest.
- Shak.
8. Not small, insignificant, or of no account; considerable; esp., in the phrases a good deal, a good way, a good degree, a good share or part, etc.
9. Not lacking or deficient; full; complete.
Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.
- Luke vi. 38.
10. Not blemished or impeached; fair; honorable; unsullied; as in the phrases a good name, a good report, good repute, etc.
A good name is better than precious ointment
- Eccl. vii. 1.
As good as
See under As.
For good
completely and finally; fully; truly.
The good woman never died after this, till she came to die for good and all.
- L'Estrange.
Distinguished by good humor and good breeding.
- Macaulay.
My father always said I was born to be a good for nothing.
- Ld. Lytton.
The good nature and generosity which belonged to his character.
- Macaulay.
The young count's good nature and easy persuadability were among his best characteristics.
- Hawthorne.
The good will of a trade is nothing more than the probability that the old customers will resort to the old place.
- Lord Eldon.
Each word made good and true.
- Shak.
Of no power to make his wishes good.
- Shak.
I . . . would by combat make her good.
- Shak.
Convenient numbers to make good the city.
- Shak.
If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear.
- Zech. xi. 12.
n. 1. That which possesses desirable qualities, promotes success, welfare, or happiness, is serviceable, fit, excellent, kind, benevolent, etc.; - opposed to evil.
There be many that say, Who will show us any good ?
- Ps. iv. 6.
2. Advancement of interest or happiness; welfare; prosperity; advantage; benefit; - opposed to harm, etc.
The good of the whole community can be promoted only by advancing the good of each of the members composing it.
- Jay.
3. Wares; commodities; chattels; - formerly used in the singular in a collective sense. In law, a comprehensive name for almost all personal property as distinguished from land or real property.
He hath made us spend much good.
- Chaucer.
Thy lands and goods
Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate
Unto the state of Venice.
- Shak.
Dress goods
See in the Vocabulary.
Goods engine
a freight locomotive.
Goods train
a freight train.
Goods wagon
a freight car [Eng.] See the Note under Car, n., 2.
adv. 1. Well, - especially in the phrase as good, with a following as expressed or implied; equally well with as much advantage or as little harm as possible.
As good almost kill a man as kill a good book.
- Milton.
As good as
in effect; virtually; the same as.
They who counsel ye to such a suppressing, do as good as bid ye suppress yourselves.
- Milton.
v. t. 1. To make good; to turn to good.
2. To manure; to improve.
WordNet Dictionary
Noun 1. good - benefit; "for your own good"; "what's the good of worrying?"
2. good - moral excellence or admirableness; "there is much good to be found in people"
Synonyms: goodness
Antonyms:
evilness, evil - the quality of being morally wrong in principle or practice; "attempts to explain the origin of evil in the world"
3. good - that which is good or valuable or useful; "weigh the good against the bad"; "among the highest goods of all are happiness and self-realization"
Synonyms: goodness
Antonyms:
bad, badness - that which is below standard or expectations as of ethics or decency; "take the bad with the good"
Adj. 1. good - having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified; "good news from the hospital"; "a good report card"; "when she was good she was very very good"; "a good knife is one good for cutting"; "this stump will make a good picnic table"; "a good check"; "a good joke"; "a good exterior paint"; "a good secretary"; "a good dress for the office"
Antonyms:
bad - having undesirable or negative qualities; "a bad report card"; "his sloppy appearance made a bad impression"; "a bad little boy"; "clothes in bad shape"; "a bad cut"; "bad luck"; "the news was very bad"; "the reviews were bad"; "the pay is bad"; "it was a bad light for reading"; "the movie was a bad choice"
2. good - having the normally expected amount; "gives full measure"; "gives good measure"; "a good mile from here"
Synonyms: full
3. good - morally admirable
Antonyms:
evil, wicked - morally bad or wrong; "evil purposes"; "an evil influence"; "evil deeds"
4. good - deserving of esteem and respect; "all respectable companies give guarantees"; "ruined the family's good name"
Synonyms: estimable, respectable, honorable
5. good - promoting or enhancing well-being; "an arms limitation agreement beneficial to all countries"; "the beneficial effects of a temperate climate"; "the experience was good for her"
Synonyms: beneficial
6. good - superior to the average; "in fine spirits"; "a fine student"; "made good grades"; "morale was good"; "had good weather for the parade"
Synonyms: fine
7. good - agreeable or pleasing; "we all had a good time"; "good manners"
8. good - of moral excellence; "a genuinely good person"; "a just cause"; "an upright and respectable man"; "the life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous"- Frederick Douglass
Synonyms: virtuous, upright, just
9. good - having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude; "adept in handicrafts"; "an adept juggler"; "an expert job"; "a good mechanic"; "a practiced marksman"; "a proficient engineer"; "a lesser-known but no less skillful composer"; "the effect was achieved by skillful retouching"
Synonyms: adept, expert, practiced, proficient, skilful, skillful
10. good - thorough; "had a good workout"; "gave the house a good cleaning"
11. good - with or in a close or intimate relationship; "a good friend"; "my sisters and brothers are near and dear"
Synonyms: dear, near
12. good - having or showing or arising from a desire to promote the welfare or happiness of others; "his benevolent smile"; "a benevolent nature"
Synonyms: benevolent
13. good - financially sound; "a good investment"; "a secure investment"
Synonyms: dependable, safe, secure
14. good - most suitable or right for a particular purpose; "a good time to plant tomatoes"; "the right time to act"; "the time is ripe for great sociological changes"
Synonyms: ripe, right
15. good - resulting favorably; "its a good thing that I wasn't there"; "it is good that you stayed"; "it is well that no one saw you"; "all's well that ends well"
Synonyms: well
16. good - exerting force or influence; "the law is effective immediately"; "a warranty good for two years"; "the law is already in effect (or in force)"
Synonyms: in effect, in force, effective
17. good - feeling healthy and free of aches and pains; "I feel good"
18. good - capable of pleasing; "good looks"
19. good - appealing to the mind; "good music"; "a serious book"
Synonyms: serious
20. good - in excellent physical condition; "good teeth"; "I still have one good leg"; "a sound mind in a sound body"
Synonyms: sound
21. good - tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health; "beneficial effects of a balanced diet"; "a good night's sleep"; "the salutary influence of pure air"
Synonyms: salutary, beneficial
22. good - not forged; "a good dollar bill"
23. good - not left to spoil; "the meat is still good"
Synonyms: unspoiled, unspoilt
24. good - generally admired; "good taste"
Adv. 1. good - (often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (`good' is a nonstandard dialectal variant for `well'); "the children behaved well"; "a task well done"; "the party went well"; "he slept well"; "a well-argued thesis"; "a well-planned party"; "the baby can walk pretty good"
Synonyms: well
2. good - in a complete and thorough manner (`good' is sometimes used informally for `thoroughly'); "he was soundly defeated"; "we beat him good"

tjim Loc: Far Northern California

I'm curious. Why did you expect more from me than a lecture.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

What anger toward god? What anger toward anyone?

I am confused here. You read way too much in my post here, possibly a reflection, who knows.

We have many different types of christians, those who praise, those who witness, those who....

So, what makes a christian once again? What motivates a christian toward one path or another?

Ideals get you nowhere even as christian because these goals are unreachable.

So what makes a christian? I left the field wide open. You try to close it.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

What is this list about????

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

There is no such thing as a "prefect Christian". We are all sinners saved by grace. An atheist can live a life just as righteous as any Christian but still be 'lost' in his sin. We can only be saved by the grace of God by believing that He gave His Son, Jesus Christ as our substitute on the cross. A better question would be, what does it mean to believe to be saved as a Christian? To desire to live ones life according to the will of God... to love God with all your heart, soul and might.... to love your neighbor as you would love yourself. A Christian does not live by his own righteousness but by the imputed righteousness of Jesus,, but this does not give us a licenses to sin.

Each believers life experience is different from each other. Some face hardships easy while others find life as a Christian hard. We all must face our problems in life with faith in God, as we all face problems that are common to man. It is the hardships in life that makes us grow in our faith in God, some to the point of death knowing that our reward awaits us.

So, we are not to judge 'who is a Christian but ask ourselves, am I truly a Christian or am I just fooling myself? This is the question you must answer for yourself. A true Christian will know what makes a Christian.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Ok, it seems I did not ask the right question because I am starting to feel I just get a 'mantra'...