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Originally Posted by David
Sometimes I have a hard time trying to figure out who exactly is a real Christian or not. I think this is the thing I'm trying to figure out. I read Matthew 5:20 about how Pharisees and scribes may search the Scriptures, but they aren't truly believers. Nicodemus was a teacher of Israel yet he wasn't a believer either.
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But you seem to think that figuring out who is already a Christian is so important. I guess that you would never invite someone who is of uncertain stance to a meeting because they might not be a Christian. And so the place where we should jointly display the best of our Christianity (and that should be characterized by love for God, for each other, and for our neighbor as ourself) is "off-limits"?
But most interesting that Jesus did not bother trying to discern who believed and who did not. Whether Nicodemus believed when he first came to Jesus is uncertain (to us). Jesus still spoke with him and encouraged him to understand even within the context of what he as a leader of the Jews should know. And we later discover that Nicodemus was a believer.
What about the Pharisees? Did Jesus say that they were not believers? It might be a reasonable conclusion. But it was not what he said. He did not say to not search the scriptures. He said to open your eyes to what the scriptures say and see that it is talking about him (Jesus).
Quote:
Originally Posted by David
What is your guys' experience of figuring out who is Christian or not? Does it take time to figure out?
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Why the need to figure it out? If you think that there might be an unsaved person masquerading as a Christian (a social Christian or even charlatan of some kind), it will become evident. Or at least evident that they have much more going on that just being Christian and following Christ. If Christian fellowship just doesn't happen, then there might be reason to suspect. But even that is not a certainty.
Once again, the real question is "why do you need to figure out what everybody is?" If it is to have a reason to despise denominations, with a need to figure out how to "distance yourself from" denominations, then what verses teach us to be that way with people?
Seek to have fellowship with any who are open. But more importantly, be a real Christian who loves everyone without condition. Love your Christian brother/sister (even if they vote Democrat / Republican / Tea Party / Libertarian; even if they are in some denomination or a group that you consider a Christian cult). Love the unsaved (even the pagan who follows Buddha, or some other god). Love even your enemies. It won't cause all to repent and be saved, but it is the testimony that I hope is being displayed by more and more Christians so that I won't be constantly labeled as one of those bigoted, egocentric, haters of sinners, etc., just because there are too many Christians who are.