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HarmonicSonic — What makes a Christian
Published: 2010-12-13 20:24:19 +0000 UTC; Views: 11625; Favourites: 715; Downloads: 54
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Okay, so this one's a bit long and drawn-out, but it's been weighing on me for a while to mention this kind of thing.I've seen a lot of signatures here on DeviantArt that state something to the effect of "I believe in Jesus Christ. If you do, too, and you're not afraid to admit it, then paste this into your signature." Anybody noticed this? Unfortunately, some of the people who have that in their signature often seem to say the most hateful, un-Christlike things to anyone who disagrees with them.
I, too, believe in Jesus as my Savior, and I have no fear or shame of proclaiming that to anyone. But I will never put that tagline in my signature. That doesn't make me any less Christian, nor does it make me "afraid" of my faith in any way.
I've got news for you, folks. A few words in your signature do not make you a Christian. Fred Phelps uses words on pretty signs to convey messages of his un-Christian God of hate. Nor does wearing a cross pendant. Some of the most un-Christian rap songs are sung by people wearing huge cross pendants. Nor does having a WWJD bracelet if you don't actually apply the meaning of it to your life. Going to church doesn't do it, either. Some of the most evil people on earth go to church. Knowledge of scripture doesn't do it, either. The pharisees of Jesus's day had a knowledge of scripture that was second-to-none, yet they were the ones who were always in conflict with him. It takes more, even, than mere belief in God and Jesus. Guess what - satan believes in them! That certainly doesn't make him a Christian.
John 13:35 says, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples," not if you follow the fads, know scripture, can tell people of every sin they've committed, but... "that ye have love to one another."
That means a kind, unconditional, Christlike love for atheists, abortionists, gays/lesbians, Muslims, Goths, and any other group you can think of. Because Jesus didn't look at what clique people belonged to. He didn't look at race, religion, or nationality. He loved everyone. He never beat people over the head with their sin, either.
Christianity is not a social statement or fad. It is a lifestyle defined by love. You claim that God's love has transformed you. Prove it.
Okay, sorry for the sermon. Also, sorry if this is a bit too fast to read, but it's long enough as it is. Thank you, $zilla774 for the template.
If you don't want me to say thank you, then don't fave it. If you accuse me of not looking at your profile, I will point right to this section of the artist comments.
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Comments: 420
Thank you. The reason I do have stuff in my sig is cause I always feel like I'm awful for not reposting, even though I know deep down that's not what matters. I love the way you put it in loving everyone, now matter what. I feel like not enough people can see that. This has given me hope.
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If "he" care so why do so many young people die every day??? And because of religion we women were treaten like shit in the past and even nowadays some people do!!!!
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God does not allow bad things to happen. God is not evil. Evil is an opposite to God just like darkness is the opposite to light and heat is the opposite to cold.
No where in the Bible does it state that women should be treated less. To say that religion is the cause of why women are treated poorly is not logical at all. If anything, the Bible continuously states that women and men should come together to form a bond. Women will be the "graceful pillars" and men will be the flowers that flourish. Women support men and men work hard. That has continuously been state in the Bible. Men are no more important than women and vise versa, they cant live without one another.
Think of darkness as Evil and think of God as light. Darkness does not pour into a room. It is there, but as soon as you turn on the light, or open the curtains, light floods in. Never will darkness flood in in the presence of light. Light is the only thing that can flood in.
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just because people use the religion in a bad way doesn't mean it is. For example, show me one NT passage where Christians are ordered to go and kill the infidels? If you can't then that means it was Pope's invention.
Christianity isn't a bad thing, it goes bad when the wrong people use it. Just like a screwdriver...just because it can be used to kill someone doesn't make it an evil object. It all depends on who uses what how...
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I don't know why bad things still happen. As a finite being with only limited knowledge, I don't make any claim to know all the answers.
Also, I'm not sure where you're getting religion from this. Following Christ is not a religion. The only time I even mentioned religion was to say that Jesus died for everyone, regardless of religion. I'm not a religious person - religion only tends to cause problems.
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Christ --> Christianity
Christianity --> religion
My opinion. BUt everyone shall think what she/he want's...
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That's kind of the whole point of this stamp, though. Muslims, Baha'is, and other faiths believe in Jesus, even holding him in high regard. That doesn't make them Christian, though. And Christianity, when it is practised as Jesus directed, isn't a religion.
And you're welcome to your opinion. I don't understand why that necessitates a need to be so angry, though.
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Thank you for creating this stamp and the message underneath. I always used to think I had to go to church in order to be a good Christian. I used to never think I was a good Christian at all. I tried to get His attention by wearing a cross. What a relief that a fellow Christian told me the truth about being one. Thank you so much.
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You're very welcome.
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...cause you can kiss people's asses at church, but if you go home and beat the crap out of your family, you aren't christian. And if you think your way is the only right way, and you look down on others for doing things a different way, you are a narcissist!
Sorry for the rant, my dad is a "christian"...
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I agree so much with this stamp ^^
I will admit I hate the actions of some people, but they have souls just as everyone else does... And I don't exactly 100 % know if this is a sin or not. But I hate when people bash on other people for what gender like >.<
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I figure that since so many people seem to disagree on what is and isn't wrong, then our focus is in the wrong place if we're always telling people what they're doing wrong.
Thanks for the comment.
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I'm not christian and agree with this. I wish more christians would act like this, because once someone figures out that I'm not a christian, they either try to convert me or tell me i'm going to hell. it's quite rude, and in-fact just flat out annoying.
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I agree a thousand full! It just makes me so sad sometime to see poeple who say they're Christian acting so hateful and angry. We need to remember that above all we should be loving and that's what makes people come to Christ cause we may be the only example of Jesus they may ever see
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You can't take the Christ out of Christianity. That is the essential characteristic of Christianity. You have to believe in Him and love Him. If you don't then you're not Christian, in my opinion.
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BTW, I'm a bisexual Catholic Democrat from Louisiana. Everyone else seems to be noting this of themselves, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to join in.
Nice stamp too.
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brb Favoriting this stamp. I totally forgot to do so after reading this
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What people do not understand that Christ said there would be those who would claim to do things in His name, but they are the worst people. These people who call themselves "Christians" should live up to what Christ had done, he accepted people from all walks of all, esp outcasts,(I know because I am an outcast myself.) he lived simple and humble, and never condemned anyone. And Christ loved those of different faiths as well. In the end, we are all from the same beginning, created the same, yet diverse like an awesome mural.
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Amen to this. I use it as a thumb in my profile.
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Thanks. I'm glad you like it. Thanks for the watch, too.
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'his un-Christian God of hate'
I love how you get to be the one to choose what kind of God he is. Sorry to say but that God of hate is the same as your God of love. Their are so many different view points on what God does that you cannot say that its un-Christian just because you have a different perspective on it.
People can murder entire family's in Gods name, and they are no less Christian then you.
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If you are that completely convinced that Christians are evil, there is probably very little I can do to change that. I'm sorry if you are offended.
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I do not think Christians are evil, I just want understand why you get to decide what is Christian and what is not, so please do educate me on who gave you the power to choose the traits for this religion?
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In the first place, Christianity, practiced as the Bible prescribes, is not a religion. In the second place, I am not "choosing" the traits for Christians, nor am I "deciding" what is Christian/not Christian. God made that decision a long time ago. I'm just describing it based on what God said in scripture. I don't mean to sound mean with this, but it seems like you homed in on that one part of the artist comments and sort of skimmed over the rest of them. If you want to talk about it, that's fine, but please read the whole thing.
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I would love to be your friend. Your stamp says what I've been trying to reach people with for a while now
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This stamp is something my pastor would LOVE!!! Oh my gosh, finally someone who sees this the way I do. I love people whom aren't of the same religion as I am, but that does not mean I agree with their choice. I also do very much dislike it when people have those copy and paste things and then act VERY unChristian. I mean, I wrote on my signature that I'm a Christian, but I also try not to bash people. Amen to everything in this. I'm sure God was smiling when you did this. 
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Thank you. And thanks for the fave.
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Finally, someone who doesn't share the narrow-minded view point of many other Christians! Personally, I have absolutely no problem against homosexuals, atheists, other religious groups, even people who help others to be euthanised. Some of the smartest people in the world are Atheists! I know that science and faith have been battling it out for centuries, but I think a balance of both is needed. For example, Isaac Newton was Christian and he made one of the most important scientific discoveries of all time! Sorry for rambling! 
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Amen.
More people who call themselves Christian need to see this.
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And just to clarify, were you saying that as we love people like gays and Muslims and such, that doesn't mean that we support what they do, right? I think it's a sin to be a homosexual...just look and what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah, and killing a little baby isn't any better. Just making sure I FULLY understand what you're saying.
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(personal opinion)
I don't think it's a bad thing if you're not ok with homosexuality. The problem (and sin) begins when you start to behave badly and look at them as lesser beings. Get what I mean?
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not saying im better than them, im saying that what they do is wrong and should be seen as sinful and not enforced
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It IS sinful and it is NOT enforced. Infact, loving and respecting others is the most important rule in Christianity.
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You are the first person I have ever seen on the internet who doesn't believe that homosexuality is ok. I finally found someone who has the same views as me. :') Cool.
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seriously?! WOW...that's sayin something. Absolutely, I believe it to be a sin, so I don't support it.
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Yeah, that's the basic gist of what I was saying, though I don't really agree on all the issues. Homosexuality, for example, has been debated a lot, but even if you do believe it to be wrong, Sodom and Gomorrah isn't the best thing to cite for that, since the issue there was not homosexuality, but rape. Also, as for killing babies, remember that God commanded Israel to do that when they entered Canaan, according to the Old Testament.
All that said, yes, you are right - even if we don't agree with a lifestyle, it's not really are place to judge.
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Amen to all you just said man! You really hit the nail on the head! I'm so grateful and thankful for what God has done for me...He's worked on me for almost 10 years now, and I hope He always uses me to glorify His holy name! If only those people who say they know Jesus really did...they're really missing out
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You hit the nail on the head right here. Just because I don't go to church very often and know every little scripture of the bible doesn't mean I'm a "bad" Christian. Just because I love and respect other religious beliefs without trying to change people's minds doesn't mean I'm not doing "my job as a Christian." Just because I fight in full support of LGBT rights does not mean I'm going against nature or automatically going to Hell.
What makes people "good" people is their respect, kindness, and virtue. I'm Catholic, but disagree with a lot of commonly accepted beliefs of the Christian faith, because I believe that God loves unconditionally. Why would he shun his own children just for praying to another god or kissing someone of the same sex? I don't worship a God who discriminate. I worship a God who loves and a patient savior. Jesus Christ does not judge.
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This is so awesome i wish it could all fit in one tweet! haha
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