Originally posted by twhitehead
In another thread Zahlanzi said this:
[b]it can be argued that those are not christians. it isn't sufficient to say "i believe in Christ" to be a christian. one has to act like it as well.
and it got me thinking:
1. Are all Christians perfect in their behavior? Or can it be argued that there is nobody who fully 'acts like a Christian'?
2. What amo ristian manner but is not doing so due to some miss-understanding, is he not a Christian?[/b]
What amount of unChristian behavior is required before the label "Christian" can no-longer be applied to someone?
I can think of three behaviors which define, more than any other behaviors, a Christian's life in general, regardless of denomination:
(1) Good works
(2) Worship
(3) Holiness (overcoming sin)
All three of these behaviors must exist in a Christian's life in order for that individual to be rightly called a "Christian," regardless of what he or she may claim to believe. Each is an adjunct of faith and evidence that the Spirit of God is at work in an individual's heart (inspiring holy and commendable activity).
If these behaviors were at one time prevalent in an individual's life and at present no longer exist, their lack cannot necessarily be said to imply that he or she is no longer a Christian, since these may ebb and flow throughout a Christian's life, i.e., they may return, if a genuine faith is present. However, if the cessation of such Christian behavior is also accompanied by a resolute denial of the Gospel and a rejection of Christian fellowship,
then I think it could be said that an individual is no longer "Christian".
If someone believes in God, and Christ and believes that he is behaving in a Christian manner but is not doing so due to some miss-understanding, is he not a Christian?
It depends upon what behaviors he or she consistently manifests. Hateful behavior, for instance, is absolutely contrary to Christ's teaching. A Christian is responsible for knowing what is or is not required of him or her, thus Paul's call to examine oneself and make sure that a genuine faith is present, "for we cannot do anything against the truth" (2 Corinthians 13:8). If a healthy faith exists in the heart of an individual, he or she cannot "do anything against the truth" of scripture - consciously or unconsciously.