By What Actions Does One Know One is a Christian

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BernadetteM

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This has been on my heart for over a year and if anyone could give their opinion as to how one who is Christian is living their lives it would be a help for my understanding of what Christ said that charity comes first.

Maybe it is that the world is in such turmoil today, that those who are Christian show no fruits of their faith or are we not being taught in any church, Catholic or protestant what it truely means to be a Christian and extend Christ’s love to all.

Personally I have found that there is no support for our fellow man, either Christian or not. In fact, I spoke to an old friend today who is fundamentalist and she told me she doesn’t expect that her brothers and sisters in Christ should support her emotionally in her time of need. That everyone has problems and can’t be concerned about others. On a side note, she called me to ask for my prayers for what her family is going through, which seems illogical if what she said is true, why bother asking for support.

I guess I find this to be contrary to what I thought being Christian is. This attitude seems to be the norm no matter which denomination one belongs to.

It saddens me greatly to see how prevalent, at least by those I know, that instead of being a community of believers we have turned inward. How does one expect those who do not know Christ to want to be part of the same attitudes and behavior they find outside Christianity?

Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Bernadette
 
John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Yes, I agree with you.

Sometimes, especially when I am work, in sadness and frustration I despair and doubt that there is even one Christian on the face of the earth today!

Yes, I agree with you.

Most Catholic parishes and most other Christian congregations have very little true Christian love, in my view. They are full of people pursuing their own selfish, egoistic, self-centered interests!

I have found a few–a very few–brother Christians who really are like brother to me. You can find similar people.

Don’t let all the nomimal (in name only) Catholics and Christians get you down. Tune all that out.

Read and re-read the New Testament, which is like a Handbook for the Practice of Loving Thy Neighbor as Thyself.

Meditate on the truth and greatness of God and the way of God.

The benefits of loving others is that you become like God with God and in God, and so you begin to be in the Kingdom of Heaven even now on this earth.

Don’t dwell on what others are not giving you.

Dwell on what you can give to others.

Do that, in the right way, and you will find all sorts of blessings coming your way.

But don’t give to others in a quid pro quo way of expecting things directly in turn. Give to others, wisely, and generously, and prudently, and expecting nothing in return except the benefit of becoming close to God by becoming like God (who does nothing but offer and bestow Good Things on people who will receive them).

So, in some, I agree with you. But don’t give up on the way of Christ to God. It works!
 
It goes beyond turmoil within the world, for the world is diametrically oppossed to Christianity. We/you must chose “to be” Christian or “not to be” Christian and sadly the world is winning.

Each of us has a limited window from which to display our Christian love, as we do not have access to large media, but it is the small acts of love which go unannounced that have dramatic impact upon GOD’s grace and mercy for us and for those whom we may serve.

Give to the begger - everywhere, all the time. JESUS has come to many in this form, so never turn your back if you can help - and if you have no money, the pray for GOD intervention in their lives.

Pray for those who have hurt you - your enemies. Unless you immulate our LORD on the cross how can you claim “Christian” for your title.

Assist those in need of simple acts such as holding doors, carrying objects etc. chose to be a servant whenever you can.

Do not look to others for examples of “how to” as much as to copy and immulate what you have read in the Bible and in the lives of the Saints as to what they did and you do likewise - then you become the example of “serving” the love of JESUS to others.
 
Who cares if one is a Christian?

The harder part is knowing if one is a saint.

Anyone can be a Christian.

Being a saint…that is what matters. Nothing else matters.
 
Most of my life I have given with no expectations that what I offer to others would be returned, however, as I have grown older it seems that many show no love or charity towards others even those with whom they are within the same spiritual community.

Yes I guess I do expect some sort of support when horrible things happen. Not much, just a word of encouragement and maybe a call to see how things are going. I have never relied on anyone else and at times feel that my only Friend is our Lord.

Living in a larger area where people really aren’t close to their neighbors also is a factor. It just seems that over the past few years people are only concerned for themselves and that saddens me.

Aren’t we Christians all trying to follow Jesus and become holy as our faith grows and our love for Jesus intensifies? I suppose I am just seeing the world from a different perspective than when I was young. Also how do we bring others to Christ if we do not imitate Christ and care for our brothers and sisters.

These are some of my concerns and hopefully our priests will preach more on showing the love that Jesus showed by giving up His Precious Body and Blood for our salvation.

Thanks for all of you for your comments.

God Bless

Bernadette
 
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