Was I a true Christian?

[OnceConvinced]

I was brought up in a Christian home, having been taught Christianity and its virtues from birth. I believed it by default. My parents were genuine Christians, believing it was their job to teach me the ways of the lord. They lived the Christian life. One of the things I have always respected them for was that they way they were at Church was no different to the way they were at home. I saw them as good Christian role models and I believe that is part of the reason why I followed in their footsteps.

I officially became born again at the age of 7. I always tried hard to emulate Jesus, following his teachings, taking his advice. At the age of 16 I went into ministry for the first time, as a leader at kids camps. My church pastor recommended me and I was being called “Uncle Richard” by kids only 6 years younger than me. This was definitely not a pride thing. I felt privileged to be able to do something for God. I always welcomed opportunities to do things for God.

My life as a Christian, was simple. I believed Jesus to be the son of God. I had absolute faith that Jesus was who he said he was. I strived to be like him. I prayed regularly, read my bible and studied. I believed the bible to be the infallible word of God. I regularly put my life right with him, asking for forgiveness when I felt I needed to. I attended church most Sundays, and often evenings. I attended cell groups. I helped people when I could who needed it.

When I left home, I continued to follow Christ, eager to be involved in ministry, eager to worship and praise him. I was put in leadership roles, trusted and respected. But please don’t think I am trying to blow my own trumpet. I am just telling you this because I want you to see that there were many people who believed me to be a true Christian. Even non-Christians did not question my integrity. – apart from one when I was about 19 who criticized me for swearing occasionally, telling a few crude jokes and for once wearing a shirt with dragons on it.

I made no secrets of the fact I was a Christian. I loved to talk about the lord. I always attempted to set an example.

I was never a fan of religion. I never approved of churches like the catholic church which focused on a lot of religious ritual. I chose to go to churches where religion was generally looked down upon. I believed I had a “relationship with God”.

I have always strived to better myself. To be more like Christ.

Of course a couple of years ago, I left the faith (that’s another story)

There are many Christians I have come across on-line, including some here, who although they know little (or nothing at all) of my background, insist I was never a true Christian – or insinuate it. Some are quite judgemental about it. Some try to be polite about it. I know I shouldn’t let it bother me, But I served the lord genuinely for over 30 years. I know I did what was expect of me as a Christian. I put my heart and soul into it. I wasn’t perfect by any means, but no Christian is.

So my questions:

Based on what I’ve told you here…

Was I a true Christian? If not, why not? Where do you think I went wrong?'

BTW, I'm happy to elaborate on any issues if you wish to ask questions.

[micatala]

I voted yes, but will add the caveat that I have some trouble with the phrase "true Christian." I tend to think people define themselves as christian or not, and the phrase "true Christian" usually carries with it a subtext of people who are Christians trying to define who else is and is not a Christian. In my view, none of us who are Christian are "perfect" Christians anyway, and "true" in this context usually means "sufficiently close to perfect" with "sufficiently close" being in the ey of the particular beholder.

[McCulloch]

If you had truly experienced the forgiving grace of God, you would not have left it.

Romans 8:28-43
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written,
[center]"FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."[/center]
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 10:28
and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

[Cathar1950]

If you had truly experienced the forgiving grace of God, you would not have left it.

Romans 8:28-43
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written,
[center]"FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."[/center]
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 10:28
and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

I guess if you took the above author's word for it you would be true bible-believers. So what if the Paul was concinced. So what that the unknown author of John was convinced. Even the elect are in danger of being decived.
Unless they also claim that even if they are decived they are still saved. Hell, why not. I can almost see half the Christians confused and in fear of loosing their souls and the other half confused over scriptures.
We can also find sriptures that say they will and can be lost.
But you do bring up some good examples of half of their problems.

[McCulloch]

I was not asked if there is such a thing as a True Christian™ or whether it is possible. It could very well be that OnceConvinced was never a True Christian™ because such a thing is impossible.

[Cathar1950]

I was not asked if there is such a thing as a True Christian™ or whether it is possible. It could very well be that OnceConvinced was never a True Christian™ because such a thing is impossible.

makes sense to me. I can't even figure out a valid answer to the question.
It is like "Do you still beat your wife?"
I am not even married.
I guess he would be as true a Christian as anyone that claims to be a Christian.
The passages you posted just show how silly it is to have a biblical opinion as there are so many of them and it is hard to see how any choice on what you pick to follow is not either arbitrary or conditioned by the persons experiences and indoctrinations. It is much lkie the Christians use of the Hebrew scriptures where they pick and choose while reinterprete out of context for their apologetic purposes.
I was on your side in this Mac. I did get the point you were making.
If he matured and evolved where he didn't need such concepts as salvation and sacrific for sins they he may very well be still a grown up Christian as he has been shapped by his culture and experinces.
If I study some tribe in the Amazon and adopt their ways I would still be an American(USA, not those rather more thoughtful and socialy aware Canadians).

[OnceConvinced]

I voted yes, but will add the caveat that I have some trouble with the phrase "true Christian." I tend to think people define themselves as christian or not, and the phrase "true Christian" usually carries with it a subtext of people who are Christians trying to define who else is and is not a Christian. In my view, none of us who are Christian are "perfect" Christians anyway, and "true" in this context usually means "sufficiently close to perfect" with "sufficiently close" being in the ey of the particular beholder.

Yes, the term "true Christian" is a troublesome one, because it is very subjective. What represents a true Christian to one person is different to another. But it certainly doesn't stop people from throwing the term around.

[OnceConvinced]

If you had truly experienced the forgiving grace of God, you would not have left it.

Romans 8:28-43
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written,
[center]"FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."[/center]
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 10:28
and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

Ah. I have some contradictory scriptures here, which refutes your POV. (Fancy that, contradictory scriptures in the bible!) These say that it is possible for a Christian to leave the faith:

"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today', lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Hebrews 3:12-13

"Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? ..." Hebrews 2:1-3

"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore, let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall." I Corinthians 10:11-12

"But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." I Corinthians 9:27

"You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by the law; you have fallen from grace." Galatians 5:4

2Pe 2:20-21 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.

[OnceConvinced]

I was not asked if there is such a thing as a True Christian™ or whether it is possible. It could very well be that OnceConvinced was never a True Christian™ because such a thing is impossible.

I think it probably is impossible to become a "true Christian". I see it now as being a lot like an eternal maze with no way out. No matter which way you go, you can never attain it.

[OnceConvinced]

The passages you posted just show how silly it is to have a biblical opinion as there are so many of them and it is hard to see how any choice on what you pick to follow is not either arbitrary or conditioned by the persons experiences and indoctrinations. It is much lkie the Christians use of the Hebrew scriptures where they pick and choose while reinterprete out of context for their apologetic purposes.

That's for sure. As illustrated by my ease of quoting scriptures that contradict McCulloch.