This is a question for which there is definitely a clear and explicit biblical answer. First John 2:19 declares, “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” This Scripture makes it abundantly clear—there is no such thing as an ex-Christian. If a person is truly a Christian, he/she will never depart from the faith “…for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us…” If a person who claimed to be a Christian denies the faith, he/she was not truly a Christian. “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us…their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” No, there is truly no such thing as an ex-Christian. It is important to distinguish between a true Christian and an “in name only” Christian.
A true Christian is a person who has fully trusted in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
A true Christian is a person who understands what the Bible says about sin, sin’s penalty, who Jesus is, what Jesus did for us, and how that provides for the forgiveness of sin.
A true Christian is a person who has received Jesus Christ as personal Savior, has been made a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), and is progressively being transformed into the image of Christ.
A true Christian is a person who is kept a Christian by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:13, 30; 2 Corinthians 1:22). This true Christian can never become an ex-Christian. No one who has truly and fully trusted in Christ as Savior could ever deny Him. No one who truly comprehends the evil of sin, the terror of sin’s consequences, the love of Christ, and the grace and mercy of God, could ever turn back from the Christian faith.
There are many in this world who claim to be Christians, but are not. Being a Christian does not mean being an American or having white skin. Being a Christian does not mean recognizing that Jesus was a great teacher or even seeking to follow His teachings. Being a Christian means being a representative of Christ and a follower / servant of Christ. There are people who have had some connection to a “Christian” church and then later renounced that connection. There are people who have “tasted” and “sampled” Jesus Christ, without ever actually receiving Him as Savior. However, there is no such thing as true ex-Christian. A true Christian will never, and could never, renounce the faith. Any person who claimed to be a Christian, but later rejects the Christian faith, was never truly a Christian.
I hope this cleared up some of the confusion. Take care all.
Gender: Male Location: Southern Oregon,
Looking at you.
How do you know you are a "true" Christian? The person who later leaves cannot be distinguished from those who do not leave.
Also, what if a person leaves and then returns, are they a "true" Christian? Can a "true" Christian become a non-"true" Christian, and then back again?
This sounds a lot like your salvation is dependent on works, and that contradicts the idea that salvation is not based on works.
Umm..I don't think God is a Christian. Or as it is written.."who can comprehend my thoughts, they are as numerous as the grains of sand." I don't know what God is in entirety. I do think that Corinthians 13 gives a good description of what he is though. That's it. That's all.
For a long time I tried to talk to him about his approach to topics and forum discussion. Not even trying to argue his points about religion, but just how to interact in ways that didn't come across as condescending and preachy. And the weird thing was, he seemed receptive, at least he stated that he wanted to better understand my points and such.
But of course it all goes ignored. Just like my even earlier attempts at religious debate, where contrasting points get ignored in favor of long diatribes. I'm not sure if it's willful or unknowing. Either way, I haven't read anything he's said in a long, long time now.
Gender: Male Location: Living my life, fighting my war.
Re: Is there such a thing as an ex-Christian?
Tell me, do you live in Kentucky, and show up to preach at Bluegrass Community College and the University of Kentucky form time to time? Because your logic and reasoning patterns sound extremely familiar...
I'm a global now, so technically all of them. Officially, the general comic book forum, comic respect and movie forums, and the Spider-Man forum. Pretty much the whole comic section except Vs. and Battlezone, and the other individual character forums.
Eh, lil does fine. She just doesn't post as much. I'm one of the more active globals in terms of post count these days. But like I said, I can deal with problems from any forum. I just usually don't, because there isn't a need when there's a designated mod or mods for each forum. The comic sections and OTF is where I do most of my modding.
KMC Community Forums
Sep 24th, 2009 05:19 PM
