rhomin57 Loc: Far Northern CA.

To be a Christian seems to mean to non Christians that your simply a Bible Thumper, and have no understanding about the world and humanity.

This is quite wrong. To be a Christian and understand Scripture for the Knowledge that it gives you, is to have a "Higher Overall View, and Understanding, based on what is exactly right, and what is exactly wrong."
Then you give allowance for the fact that all humanity, even the Christian, is full of weaknesses, frailties, and flaws. Yourself included.
You still maintain that Higher Understanding of Perfection, even though here in this would it can't be obtained, not even on an individual basis.

Being able to see what is going on in the world, nations, their governments, states, cities, neighborhoods, etc., becomes easy this way. And, still have love and compassion for it.

Without this Higher Understanding, and continued love for God's creation no matter how hard it gets, it becomes like trying to find your way off of a busy multizillion lane freeway, without developing deep anger, and hatred for it.

The Christian heart and mind sees a perfect Lord God, a Perfect Heaven, and a Perfect Love, and will try each new day to obtain that in their life. It is a growing process, a journey, two steps forward- one step back and vice versa at times. But is a type of Love and Faith that keeps you in it, and trying.
A Christian is finally at the best their life can be- at their demise. Still not perfect.

When you fall in Love with your fiancé to being Married, that is a Love that can last a lifetime when it is worked at every day.
The Love and Faith of Jesus Christ, is this same, but spiritual thing, yet lasts- forever.

It is a very intelligent (spiritual) mindset. Even when looking at the world and it's many issues, affairs, and matters.

One other thing. If I were to do a turn about and walk away from my Faith and the Love I've found in it, I would revert right back to the old carnal mindset of depression, anger, and mess of a life that the Lord found me in.
I can't even see myself like that anymore.

Wolf counselor Loc: Heart of Texas

OK rhomin57,

Let me first say, I cannot call myself a Christian. I simply feel that I am not worthy to claim to be Christlike .

But I will defend the people who call themselves Christian, with the very last drop of my blood.

But when many Christians attempt to extol the virtues of Christianity, it usually comes out kinda corny and milk-toasty.

Even when they quote the bible, it loses it's altruism due to the humans inability to interject a sense of fulfillment.

Like the tv evangelists. They have ruined the sacred art of vocal recitation of the scriptures. And even those who are on the verge of believing, are sadly disappointed in the cartoonish, flailing Bojangles preachers.

Then, when an innocent believer like you begins proselytizing, the non believers are immediately reminded of the nincompoop preachers and they lose interest and will lend no credibility to your efforts.

But at least the ones who already believe, will have mercy on you and open their hearts to you.

rhomin57 Loc: Far Northern CA.

I wanted to check on my post before shutting down my laptop for the night. Glad I did.
You do know the ancient history of the name "Christian", right? Those that followed Jesus Christ had gotten to be many, so the 'city' people began referring to them Christians. Those that actually followed Jesus Christ and his ministry, didn't call themselves anything. Neither did Jesus Christ title his work other than possibly "The Way."
Christian simply means ' -ian; pertaining to, Christ'.

In order to enter into Heaven, you have to have Jesus' "like-spirit." So if you love and have faith in Jesus Christ, heart mind and soul, then you are Christ-like in spirit. If your spirit is to be co-inheritor in the Kingdom of Heaven as Jesus promises, than I don't understand all your reluctance.

I'm very proud to take on the name "Christian" if it points out that I am Christ loving. It is not saying that you or I are as Jesus Christ, or even like him as he was on earth, or even now in Heaven. I don't plan on, or expect to become Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Savior and Judge of all creation. That would be blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, the unpardonable sin.

I'm not looking to lay out scripture to those who already believe. What good is that? The only mercy I desire is from God, not you, or any other person.

What I do get tired of at times, is all the many times a topic is posted, argued over as to whose right and whose wrong in the world of Government. Sometimes I join in these discussions, many times I don't because I see these issues through different means usually. A means of resolving issues, not making them more difficult through arguments and name calling just in this forum alone. I look back on my comments and see how I've been drawn in and dragged down by my own foul mouth at times in the argument.

I also, didn't appreciate the tone of your comment. Kind of patronizing towards the end. Your own faith sounds like it's faultering- like the world's method of teaching has already trampled you.

I believe the Lord will work through "who he chooses" and break through all established boundaries in leaps and bounds. You just gotta make yourself available~

jack sequim wa Loc: Blanchard, Idaho

Excellent post, its great to see courage to speak out and share truths.
There are many sleepy Christians not understanding once the indwelling of the holy spirt comes to the new believer, there is a spiritual discernment, unveiling of the heart and mind to supernaturally see and understand, that which the natural man cannot. So many don't understand the spiritual attack from the Enemy, causing guilt and a feeling of unworthy, never knowing the power thru Christ Jesus our Lord.
We as Christians are promised many things, including spiritual gifts.

"for Christ died once, and for all of our sins" so as the Christian is going two steps forward, and one step back, our Heavenly Father sees us as spotless, cleaned by the blood of Jesus. Our father sees no sin in us, asthey are thrown into the sea of forgetfulness. As Christians we are to put on the full armor of God, defeat the enemy. Boldly go before our God, and exercise our gifts. This us how our Lord enables us to fully see the world, or weakness, with discernment, knowledge, understanding, and power of the holy spirit.
God bless

Wolf counselor Loc: Heart of Texas

If the only way to enter heaven is as you say....." you have to have Jesus " like-spirit ", then you have suggested something that Jesus never said.

In all the new testament, Jesus never said that we had to have His " like-spirit.

So you have now violated one of the most important scriptures in the bible.

Are you not familiar with this scripture ?

Revelation 22:18  I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

You have added words that Jesus never said.

If a sinner such as myself is fearful of such violations, how much more should a Christian be careful of their words when professing to be Christlike ?

You say you didn't appreciate the tone of my comment. Well, I am not offended at all by yours even though you have substituted your own understanding in place of the perfect knowledge of The King.

When Jesus hang on the cross :
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[d]”

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Notice that Jesus never instructed him to have a " like-spirit " and understand the fact that the thief was hanging on a cross, not because he had spent a life with a Christlike spirit. He knew he deserved his punishment.

But all he was required to do to gain salvation was to believe that Christ was innocent.

My words in the previous post may surely have been crude in nature. But it was never my intention to disrespect you.

But your comment ......" The only mercy I desire is from God, not you, or any other person ".......... is another denial of the words of The King.

Did you not understand the scripture, Matthew 5:7, which says ; " Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy ?

Is that not proof that we should exercise mercy upon one another ? Can you not see that you have said that you do not need the very thing that Jesus says we should share among us ?

I'm not worthy to call myself Christian, but there are those who call themselves Christian, who don't really know the words of The King.

jack sequim wa Loc: Blanchard, Idaho

Wolf, your correct! The theft was saved for his faith " for by faith are we saved, not of works lest any man boast"
Perhaps he did mean something else, I'll be looking for the reply. I have never heard must have Christ spirit to be saved.

Wolf counselor Loc: Heart of Texas

He ?..... I thought rhomin57 was a woman. The avatar is of a little kitten so I assumed I was addressing a female. He will surely be displeased with me now.

Los hombres no deben usar los símbolos de la feminidad

Singularity

The INTELLECT of the SPIRITUAL mind?

Singularity

Also....

Wolf counselor Loc: Heart of Texas

I believe the real reason you are an atheist is because of that pitiful mugshot you have submitted for an avatar.

You looked in a mirror one day and cursed the very idea of a God who would create such hideousness and proceed to bestow it upon such an abject and lamentable anthropoid.

Singularity

Seriously!?! That the best you can do? A few pointed criticisms of your ideas and you melt into mean spirited ad hominem attacks?

Proving once again that the main benefit conferred upon one by Christianity is a mindless attack dog mentality and smug sense of false superiority. I show you the mirror image of your religious bigotry and you go all rabid attacking your own strategies with mindless ferocity!

The Xtian's response to criticism!

Wolf counselor Loc: Heart of Texas

Christianity was not the source of ammo for my aggressive barrage.

You provided the ordinance of aspersion with your initial volley of mockery.

So let us do battle, bride of Mephistopheles.

Singularity

You are "battling" your own shadow. Show us an example of your Christian attitude and intellect...
Hint: You may have to use all four cheeks. But you've already shown two of them.

Singularity

The art of PEACOCK DANCING!

Singularity

Is this the part about the virgin and the miracle of Jesus' parentage?