The most Christlike person that I have ever met is a Hindu.
Alastair
Alastair
Every person who believes that Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah, is God-begotten. If we love the One who conceives the child, we'll surely love the child who was conceived. The reality test on whether or not we love God's children is this: Do we love God? Do we keep his commands? The proof that we love God comes when we keep his commandments and they are not at all troublesome. Every God-begotten person conquers the world's ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world's ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God. - I John 5:1-5 (The Message Bible)
Apr 16, 2003, 5:08 PM
Veteran (3139 posts)
Apr 16, 2003, 5:08 PM
Post #4 of 12
Views: 2218
"Christ-likeness and Christian are not necessarily synonomous."
In an ideal universe, they would be. "Christian" simply means a follower, or disciple of Jesus, the Christ. Unfortunately, there's a million definitions pertaining to what this consists of. As well, there would be a whole range, depending on both how long, and how well, one 'followed' Christ.
"Christlikeness" on the other hand, assumes a progression achieved as a 'follower' of Christ. Becoming a 'Christian' could be considered the starting gate, and reaching Christlikeness the end goal.
It is embarassing to look back over my life and see the dichotomy between my Christianity and my 'Christlikeness'.
Blessings,
In an ideal universe, they would be. "Christian" simply means a follower, or disciple of Jesus, the Christ. Unfortunately, there's a million definitions pertaining to what this consists of. As well, there would be a whole range, depending on both how long, and how well, one 'followed' Christ.
"Christlikeness" on the other hand, assumes a progression achieved as a 'follower' of Christ. Becoming a 'Christian' could be considered the starting gate, and reaching Christlikeness the end goal.
It is embarassing to look back over my life and see the dichotomy between my Christianity and my 'Christlikeness'.
Blessings,
Nov 2, 2005, 11:07 AM
Novice (30 posts)
Nov 2, 2005, 11:07 AM
Post #5 of 12
Views: 2218
Christ like person, Person ? b4 saying as person or more christ like person i would like to share, Jesus Christ is normal person or God?
Every human in this world, die one day. But Jesus was
raised back on the third day of his death (LK 24:6).
A normal man cannot rise again after his death. Jesus
lead a life without even a small sin (Jn 8:46). He
was testified as guiltless by Pilate the officer who
enquired Him (Lk 23:4, 14, 22). Jesus was witnessed
as a sinless person by his own apostles (1 Pet 2:22).
Today can anyone say that he has not done even a
single sin? Can any pre-eminent scholars, reformers
or leaders say that they are guiltless? Jesus walked
on the water like dry ground (Mat 14:25). Jesus
penetrated the closed room and entered in (Jn 20:19).
He was disappeared when the Pharisees tried to arrest
Him, before the appointed time (Jn 8:59). A normal
man cannot say, “Where two or three are gathered
together in My name, I am there in the midst of them”?
(Mat 18:20) and “I am with you always even to the end
of the age” (Mat 28:20). You cannot look at a normal
man and say, “Now we are sure that You know all things
and have no need that anyone should question You. By
this we believe that You came forth from God”. (Jn
16:30). A normal man cannot say, “All authority has
been given to Me in heaven and on earth (Mat 28:18).
No so-called ‘gods’ can say, “I am He who lives and
was dead and behold, I am alive forevermore” (Rev.
1:18). No leader can concert the water into wine. We
can go on telling like this. God can do any thing
other than committing sins. Can we ask God whether He
can be manifested in flesh? Who has known the mind of
the Lord that he may instruct Him? (1 Cor 2:16), Who
has become his counselor? (Rom 11:34). Can man decide
how God must be? I am not trying to justify one ‘god’
beheading the other “small god” and ‘god’ doing
eve-teasing the girls who are taking bath. Our God is
in heaven. He does whatever He pleases (Ps 115:3).
The history would not have been divided into two as AD
and BC if Jesus were a normal man.
Be Ready always to answer with meekness and reverence to people, who inquire about our faith. 1 Peter 3:15
Every human in this world, die one day. But Jesus was
raised back on the third day of his death (LK 24:6).
A normal man cannot rise again after his death. Jesus
lead a life without even a small sin (Jn 8:46). He
was testified as guiltless by Pilate the officer who
enquired Him (Lk 23:4, 14, 22). Jesus was witnessed
as a sinless person by his own apostles (1 Pet 2:22).
Today can anyone say that he has not done even a
single sin? Can any pre-eminent scholars, reformers
or leaders say that they are guiltless? Jesus walked
on the water like dry ground (Mat 14:25). Jesus
penetrated the closed room and entered in (Jn 20:19).
He was disappeared when the Pharisees tried to arrest
Him, before the appointed time (Jn 8:59). A normal
man cannot say, “Where two or three are gathered
together in My name, I am there in the midst of them”?
(Mat 18:20) and “I am with you always even to the end
of the age” (Mat 28:20). You cannot look at a normal
man and say, “Now we are sure that You know all things
and have no need that anyone should question You. By
this we believe that You came forth from God”. (Jn
16:30). A normal man cannot say, “All authority has
been given to Me in heaven and on earth (Mat 28:18).
No so-called ‘gods’ can say, “I am He who lives and
was dead and behold, I am alive forevermore” (Rev.
1:18). No leader can concert the water into wine. We
can go on telling like this. God can do any thing
other than committing sins. Can we ask God whether He
can be manifested in flesh? Who has known the mind of
the Lord that he may instruct Him? (1 Cor 2:16), Who
has become his counselor? (Rom 11:34). Can man decide
how God must be? I am not trying to justify one ‘god’
beheading the other “small god” and ‘god’ doing
eve-teasing the girls who are taking bath. Our God is
in heaven. He does whatever He pleases (Ps 115:3).
The history would not have been divided into two as AD
and BC if Jesus were a normal man.
Be Ready always to answer with meekness and reverence to people, who inquire about our faith. 1 Peter 3:15
Goodness is not the exclusive preserve of Xians,fortunately.Hinduism is however polytheistic, as I understand it & is therefore the least evolved of the major world religions, it seems to me.
May 5, 2007, 5:04 PM
Enthusiast (538 posts)
May 5, 2007, 5:04 PM
Post #7 of 12
Views: 2218
.....and I would never trust a man who is Christlike,
and not a Christian.
and not a Christian.
Nov 3, 2008, 4:01 PM
User (178 posts)
Nov 3, 2008, 4:01 PM
Post #9 of 12
Views: 2218
What were the characteristics of this person that reminded you of "Christ-like" behavior?
Nov 3, 2008, 9:01 PM
User (178 posts)
Nov 3, 2008, 9:01 PM
Post #10 of 12
Views: 2218
"if you look at the fruit of the spirit, in Galatians 5: I think it is true that most who profess to be Christians don't possess the attributes of them even close to Hindus or Buhddists."
I agree, a persons spiritual maturity is not contingent on their beliefs rather it is their actions that make the difference.
(Much like one can clearly define what they believe a good person to be and can believe they have it in them to be a good person but unless they act like one their beliefs are kinda pointless)
"Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law."
It seems to me that one could posses these attributes without subscribing to any particular belief system. So "Christlike" is definitely more complex than just possessing the fruits of the spirit. Or is it?
So do you think the person referenced in the original post could walk on water?
Maybe hot coals,... but water?
Hmmm... I'm still curious.
Nov 4, 2008, 5:29 AM
User (479 posts)
Nov 4, 2008, 5:29 AM
Post #11 of 12
Views: 2219
Dear Petsaw and ravensong:
It seems to me that it matters little what we 'profess', since it is not our 'profession' which will bring us recognition at the judgment seat of Christ, it will be whether we were led by The Holy Spirit to behave toward others and God as Jesus did.
The Good Samaritan would probably not have got the aproval of Jesus for his 'theology', but Jesus endorsed his 'morality' and recommended that we should do likewise. 'Morality' for Jesus was not a matter of 'keeping oneself pure and undefiled', like the priest and levite did who passed by on the other side, but being willing to offer the helping hand to our enemies, even if it cmpromises our own social standing. (Jews were the achitypal racist supremacists to the Samaritan race, who they considered to be a bunch of tainted, irreligious half breeds, below contempt). Hence 'Christians' should take no account of the ethnic origin or faith of others when offering assistence, if we are to operate in the freedom of 'The Holy Spirit'.
However the fruit of the Spirit are not what assure us of salvation. The fruit of the spirit are merely the evidence of a humble and contrite heart, (and God never despises such, no matter what 'religion' they adhere to). But a haughty spirit God knows from afar off, (keeps his distance from).
Regards Chris.
It seems to me that it matters little what we 'profess', since it is not our 'profession' which will bring us recognition at the judgment seat of Christ, it will be whether we were led by The Holy Spirit to behave toward others and God as Jesus did.
The Good Samaritan would probably not have got the aproval of Jesus for his 'theology', but Jesus endorsed his 'morality' and recommended that we should do likewise. 'Morality' for Jesus was not a matter of 'keeping oneself pure and undefiled', like the priest and levite did who passed by on the other side, but being willing to offer the helping hand to our enemies, even if it cmpromises our own social standing. (Jews were the achitypal racist supremacists to the Samaritan race, who they considered to be a bunch of tainted, irreligious half breeds, below contempt). Hence 'Christians' should take no account of the ethnic origin or faith of others when offering assistence, if we are to operate in the freedom of 'The Holy Spirit'.
However the fruit of the Spirit are not what assure us of salvation. The fruit of the spirit are merely the evidence of a humble and contrite heart, (and God never despises such, no matter what 'religion' they adhere to). But a haughty spirit God knows from afar off, (keeps his distance from).
Regards Chris.
Sep 16, 2011, 7:18 AM
User (481 posts)
Sep 16, 2011, 7:18 AM
Post #12 of 12
Views: 1981
Chris, I'd like to expand on your comments. Let me point out that Jesus expects believers to publicly identify with Him, never denying, always an ambassador of His Kingdom. For that reason it is important to utter our position in a very secular world. Upon doing so we know we shall be judged by hearers as to whether we merely profess a belief, or actually do what we say we should do.
Jesus said to bear much fruit. He didn't say fruits plural, but be sure your life describes the fruit of the Spirit, which is one. If I describe a pineapple leaving out the pointed leaves, I am not describing it fully. It might be another fruit. If I include those and the yellow & green checkerboard skin, I describe it more fully. If I include the aroma, taste attributes, shape, etc, then everyone knowing a pineapple knows that's what I am describing. So it is that to produce much fruit one must develop ever increasing unto bountiful love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Gal 5) All of it is expected to reside in believers whom Jesus knows they love Him because they keep His simple commandments. As for us, people wil know we are His by our fruit and love for the brethren.
When abounding to the fruit of the Spirit, one doesn't go about doing the immoral things people pass laws against.
I have never met a Hindu or Buddhist who is not in Christ that has shown capability to do those things consistently from their own power. I might give more slack to some Western style Buddhists, but apart from Jesus they can't meet His ideals either. Few demonstrated to me they are well versed in those religions, only grasping a few concepts of some teachings (like many professing to be Christian). They might express much patience, but no joy, for instance. A real Buddhist (forget the movie characterizations) might express great gentleness most of the time but no temperence while going about stoning people who dare to become Christian. Real Hindus exhibit the same failures, especially in Hindustan (India), not tolerating the living of Christian converts. At the very least the new believers are denied an education and denied work to make a living, except where the Christians cluster together for community strength. Killing people for such reasons doesn't match up with the way of Christ.
I have met Hindus and Buddhists who have added Christianity. Hindus do that a lot, placing a photo or drawing of Jesus along the top edge of their walls among thousands of other Hindu gods and goddesses. But when they decide not to pay attention to any but that of Jesus, many turn out to become very devout, dedicated Christians bearing the knowledge of Christ. From there the Holy Spirit easily moves a Buddhist on to excellent Spirit fruit bearing, allowing those attributes of Buddhism that are conformable to Christianity. For both groups many life issues arise in which their idols fail them miserably, leaving them open to Christ, needing only a Word through the Bible or preacher, evangelist, or believing friend.
I pray God shower sseekers of The Way today,
Jim
·...¸><((((º>
.··´¯`·.¸.·><((((º>
·.¸.·´¯`·...¸.·><((((º>
Be fishers of men
Jesus said to bear much fruit. He didn't say fruits plural, but be sure your life describes the fruit of the Spirit, which is one. If I describe a pineapple leaving out the pointed leaves, I am not describing it fully. It might be another fruit. If I include those and the yellow & green checkerboard skin, I describe it more fully. If I include the aroma, taste attributes, shape, etc, then everyone knowing a pineapple knows that's what I am describing. So it is that to produce much fruit one must develop ever increasing unto bountiful love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Gal 5) All of it is expected to reside in believers whom Jesus knows they love Him because they keep His simple commandments. As for us, people wil know we are His by our fruit and love for the brethren.
When abounding to the fruit of the Spirit, one doesn't go about doing the immoral things people pass laws against.
I have never met a Hindu or Buddhist who is not in Christ that has shown capability to do those things consistently from their own power. I might give more slack to some Western style Buddhists, but apart from Jesus they can't meet His ideals either. Few demonstrated to me they are well versed in those religions, only grasping a few concepts of some teachings (like many professing to be Christian). They might express much patience, but no joy, for instance. A real Buddhist (forget the movie characterizations) might express great gentleness most of the time but no temperence while going about stoning people who dare to become Christian. Real Hindus exhibit the same failures, especially in Hindustan (India), not tolerating the living of Christian converts. At the very least the new believers are denied an education and denied work to make a living, except where the Christians cluster together for community strength. Killing people for such reasons doesn't match up with the way of Christ.
I have met Hindus and Buddhists who have added Christianity. Hindus do that a lot, placing a photo or drawing of Jesus along the top edge of their walls among thousands of other Hindu gods and goddesses. But when they decide not to pay attention to any but that of Jesus, many turn out to become very devout, dedicated Christians bearing the knowledge of Christ. From there the Holy Spirit easily moves a Buddhist on to excellent Spirit fruit bearing, allowing those attributes of Buddhism that are conformable to Christianity. For both groups many life issues arise in which their idols fail them miserably, leaving them open to Christ, needing only a Word through the Bible or preacher, evangelist, or believing friend.
I pray God shower sseekers of The Way today,
Jim
·...¸><((((º>
.··´¯`·.¸.·><((((º>
·.¸.·´¯`·...¸.·><((((º>
Be fishers of men