Not Perfect perhaps not even Christian

Not Perfect perhaps not even Christian

“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:22,23

Here’s an admission from a Christian of forty-one years. The church today especially her in the west is a long way from perfect. There is a lot of misinterpretation of the Bible to conform with the prejudges of the individual.
It’s the same in any large movement. There are always factions with in any movement be it a religious movement or secular movement, that move away from the central beliefs of the movement. It just seems to be human nature.
Still with Christianity it is a major problem one the fledgling church recognized and addressed.  The majority of the New Testament is given over to correcting the errors developing in the fledgling church as it expanded.
These corrections sadly are corrections not listened to by many Church congregations, denominations, as well as pastors and evangelist today.
For me the following is in a nut shell what makes up a Christian.
First and foremost a Christian is someone who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. They believe his words when he says
 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 
John 14:6
We believe that it is by grace that we are saved it is a gift of God not by our works. Paul writing,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” 
                                                                     Ephesians 2:8,9.
That being said I believe a true Christian should also be,
None Judgmental. Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 
Matthew 7:1,2.
A true Christian will not judge, that is God’s job. A true Christian will let the Holy Spirit convict men of their sin.
A true Christian will simply present their faith to anyone who will listen.
A True Christian will do their best to follow the words of Paul to the Romans,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” 
                                                                    Romans 12:18-21
A true Christian will love, Jesus said,
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                                      Matthew 22:37-40.
Paul writing to the Corinthians defines love this way,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
Love never fails.” 
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.
These are the traits that truly typify a Christian.
I know there are many who say they are Christians in the world today, especially it seems in the media that are not.
They are spouting judgement against and individual or group this is not being Christian. A Christian will not judge.
 I do not believe messages that judge people, promote hatred or prejudice are messages from God.
While I admit there are many things within Christianity that those outside our faith may find controversial, our core values that I have listed in brief above I believe are not controversial.
The key thing I would tell anyone who is listening to someone who calls themselves Christian is remember the words of Jesus who said,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
                                                                                                                  Matthew 7:22,23
Think about it.