I had two points of views about this topic. In my opinion, I may be wrong,

(A) To be a Christian (we are called to be Christ-like and to serve him as the Lord).
(b)The concept—is weakened by diversity—-leads to misunderstanding.

A) We are called to be Christ like
To be a Christian is a package on its own. (I.e. to live Christ like life) to strive to be Christ in all manners and serve Him as the Lord (aspect-surrender)

There is no doubt that Christians are expected to be followers of Christ—they have a challenge ,after accepting Christ as their Lord, to know more by reading the Bible , strive to act-like Him and follow his instructions, to fellowship with others, exhort others etc. So, I understand why people who called them Christians because they think they act-like & sometimes better than other Christians. I was like that too—until at last Jesus appeared to me on Good Friday whilst visiting a new church in my area (just for a change—that was my thought)
To think about it since 1988-1997 I thought I was a Christian—Maybe because I knew better than my fellow Christians/colleagues, I worked hard and I could see good, better results. I saw that my pupils knew the Bible better than even other Christians. I used to give them the skill in order to avoid being out of context/monitor them especially during the first term. When they visited each other for a service before the burial/for comfort as classmates( i.e cultural settings)they used to prepare with me a praise song, a worship song, organise & link the praise song to the introduction & explain the concepts/ where was it quoted from the bible, then introduce the psalm or the verse from their syllabus (of course) it, few quotes & a message that link with the song/verse and words: summary & encouragement (the last speaker). Just to maintain a golden thread(simple) Their parents used to be impressed as this skill helped their children in the community.- skills-team work, organisation & in their church etc.,. Would u not think u are a Christian or saved? The fruits were there—-but it wasn’t that enough.

My audience respected me & there were positive rewards as well. I do remember one time- one of my best students just changed his behaviour- was not in school for about 2 weeks during revision time (of final exams). A sweet boy that was just involve in excessive alcohol at that time, just on the eve of a festive season. So I told him I would allow him to join classes /to write exams as long as he could stop his behaviour just for a while as I wanted my symbol C at least from him. He asked if I could pray for him as he didn’t know what was happening with himself. It was a helpless/ situation, a cry for help! I was good at instructing them how to do things not at praying & but when I look at his eyes-I could guess he was desperate to take a second chance. To please him I told him to take his Bible & read Psalm 91 aloud two/three times—he did it & he felt a change. I prayed for him( e.g. 3/4 lines on behalf of him & asked Jesus, our Lord to heal him—immediately—he said “thank u”—”I am fine now”- I saw his faith in what I thought is just a subject –he changed & he passed the exams as he was a brilliant boy for that matter. Surely,I was right – I thought I was a Christian? Unfortunately, I was not —-till I accepted the Lord as my personal Savior
Another instance: Where I worked I could see fruits even before this incident as I was also a Guidance Teacher who gave support to children with domestic/learning difficulties. As a volunteer Counsellor for HIV/AIDS(volunteer), for the suicidal/homeless (a volunteer for twice a week- for two years) even those that are raped(sometimes immediately after rescue when they call us to go in the local hospital when they are still hysterical—God will tell me when to say something or to be quiet & what/how to say.
It was the same even to those who are about to commit suicide in the bridge (locally known-bridge of death) especially at midnight when they picked the phone without dialling the number I would listen–as I would be listening the policemen would pick the person/rescue—would feel good as a soul was rescued.

So there are many good things that can be done by a kind church-goer & still that person has not yet been called by God just like in my case. It was not enough—

A Christian should be edified by the Word-as one meditates -i.e. it should give a message/touch/homework/challenge/rebuke one’s ways and gives hope too. One occasion,after I was saved it was as usual to attend services before burial. Realisation—What is a Christian— (impossible to please God and an uneasy to be Christ like/to be in his path?)
One pastor stressed that, as a commandment, we are supposed to love God with all our heart/ mind, soul, —as I was meditating what is to love with all my mind/soul—-which meant to met –to have 100 percent focus/love . I asked myself which area do I focus like that— What about the soul—even in it? –How many times when I do not want to do something and I end up doing it—will not other people condemn me too as I condemn myself too? So to my simple logic: it was impossible to please God at all. As
So I realised that Christianity is an ongoing process- striving to love God and others-sometimes we find that we sin-miss the target to love. Not to miss the point===we need the Helper to guide us.
Once we realise we are hopeless & helpless without Jesus we are on our way to understand what a Christian is. As we see in this state we just surrender everything to him, we humble ourselves and ask forgiveness (sins we commit knowingly/unknowingly)…
Still one will always be relying on Jesus Christ, as He takes our burden (of making things works , being condemned /humiliated etc) and cleanses our sins(this sins can be caused by doing our own way–& as we miss the target(what we are supposed to do/say/not to do/say).

The secret of being a Christian is to let go, & let God—Why because God’s ways are totally different compared to ours—give us an expected end(Jer. 29111). What we want most often than not is of immediate gratification, as we really do not know our future. Our lives as Christian are in God’s hands,
To be a Christian is a life full of challenges though with Jesus it is possible—as He promised to be with us—-.It was not an easy life on earth for our Lord too.
In my experience–Yeah in the past God used to appear to me when I called him, sometimes intervene & rescue me from death.
For example, just few months I was saved I heard his voice giving me an exit point (an advise) while I was in a pit of death, then, where I used to work. The Helper was with me & made me strong. Anyway, I ended up disfigured & I was beyond recognition and for two days I lived on gently rubbing ice cubes on my entire face, taking pain killers etc— Later, I was recycled —and it was a miracle even to my family doctor & to the public. These words—“say unto my soul-I am thy salvation (Psalm 35:3)” were realised .

We need to exalt Him & lift the Lord high because me, if it was not for the goodness of God—-I could be dead by now
To sum up: To be a Christian- need to acknowledge Jesus as the Lord, as a Saviour ,our God—In our prayers we should thank Him & glorify Him, We should praise & worship God the Father in spirit and in truth. We should be determined to know more of His will, do more of what he has called to do–with the help of the Holy Spirit to reveal to us what we should do,at times we are in the dark & as the Light will illuminate- our ways will be directed in the paths of righteousness—(Psalm.23;3)
Viewpoint-2
(B)The idea/concept is complex-because of an element of diversity that affects the whole concept.
There is no doubt we confess that Jesus is the Lord-we have to follow in his steps and rely on Him and many preach the Word/Bible. To be a Christian-Christianity is affected by diversity within it-. These will inevitable affect our perception: about what is a Christian to a certain group of Christians. This diversity boils down to misunderstanding of the same concept (What is a Christian). (To be a
Christian is affected, among other things, by denominations- origin of the denomination: Catholic/Protestant/Pentecostal/African like Zion/Shembe/(Christianity)/Sabbath observers/ Jewish Christian(African), views(conservatives/liberals/fanatics/enthusiasts/loyal followers of the vision) cultural settings, tradition/philosophy of life, ethnic group, beliefs within one ethnic group-which even in one small area/REGION each does not accept one view as being Christians how much more in one country/one continent—so?.. Even within a group-Pentecostal===they can judge other groups as not as Charismatic or whatever—due to lack of understanding of each other. How can a fanatic of anything appreciate another thing?(fanatics do not even read other books from other denominations/watch other sermons on-line from other church,nor doing fellow shipping with other Christians outside his/her own circle—over-enthusiasm–nothing else but what is happening around his/her environment/church&its branches that’s all—we use to call all those type as brain washed– but sometimes they are not. They can be-very loyal/honest but innocent limiting what it is to be Christian to just one group/their perception.. One can find the fanatics everywhere even inside a church where a majority are liberals, sometimes it is all about a personality of an individual. It is a division on its own.
On the other hand there are false prophets that also add more confusion. Some misunderstandings in different denominations are different points of contacts as acts of faith that are confusing to different individuals also can be regarded as a concern.
Sometimes,if too much focus on the mission of the individual group/church which involve emphasis on one aspect from the bible can cause misunderstanding to others—worse to all those who are new/other Christians/or converts from different religion.
The positive part:
Christianity is global— Reality check- These days we find Christian groups/leaders who are global leaders who understand various peoples – & respect their different immediate needs and their cultural needs /philosophy of life with a primary aim of spreading the Gospel. They have branches all over the world. These are groups/ leaders with more open –minded strategy/acculturation /learning from each other to add value/appreciating the difference and who are prepared to reach beyond diversity (denominations/culture etc) as they spread the Gospel. They are the witnesses unto Jesus —unto the uttermost part of earth (Acts.1:8).
Apostle Paul is an example—who travelled in Europe, Asia Minor etc. — he had to answer some questions about days, laws (circumcisions), food, etc. This was diversity even then – an attempt to understand :Who is a Christian?.

As far as these comments I would like to have them in the comment section of that post. We have so man readers that I think would benefit from the additional scripture. Not to mention I would like to get a conversation going on this topic. Because the last thing we need is to be confused!!!

Thanks for stopping by again!
Yours in Christ
River Angel 42

Did everyone see this?

I think our perception of who is a Christian and who isn't is on a scale. Yes, there is a definite point where God decides who goes to heaven and who doesn't, but from our perspective I think that point is very blurry. And I think God's set it up that way on purpose.

I think God wants us to be very careful about who we label as Christian and who we label as un-Christian.

In response to some of the previous comments, I think we can tell by someone's fruit whether or not we should follow them. I agree that the fruit can be an indicator of who is and who isn't a Christian, but I think the true mark of a believer is just that: someone who believes on Jesus as Savior and Lord (notice that's both Savior and Lord). We can't know someone's heart (apart from God specifically revealing it to us). We can only choose who we'll follow and imitate based on their fruit.

I think it's far better to get away from the line (as in who's "in" and who's not) thinking and recognize that everyone needs Jesus, everyone needs discipleship, everyone needs encouragement whether we know they are a believer or not.

-Marshall Jones Jr.