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From: aeq@pucc-h (Jeff Sargent)
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: Re: Re: Why attack Christianity?
Message-ID: <622@pucc-h>
Date: Tue, 27-Mar-84 10:28:48 EST
Article-I.D.: pucc-h.622
Posted: Tue Mar 27 10:28:48 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 28-Mar-84 07:08:42 EST
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Organization: Purdue University Computing Center
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> = Jon White

One point struck me in the article to which this is a followup:

> ... what's a poor religious skeptic, like myself, to do?  If someone
> claims to be a Christian, I have to believe them.

I would say that you might do well to apply the words of the Apostle John:

"We know that we have come to know Him [Christ] if we obey His commands.
The man who says, 'I know Him', but does not do what He commands is a liar,
and the truth is not in him.  But if anyone obeys His word, God's love is
truly made complete in him.  This is how we know we are in Him:  Whoever
claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did."  [I John 2:3-6]

Not to mention Jesus's words:

"Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheep's clothing, but
inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit you will recognize them.
Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  Likewise
every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good
tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  Every tree
that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus, by
their fruit you will recognize them."  [Matthew 7:15-20]

In other words:  If someone claims to be a Christian, see what effect that
Christianity is having on his life:  his actions, his words, the whole
enchilada.  You don't have to believe someone who labels himself as Christian
just on his word alone (do you believe advertisements so simply?); rather,
see if his life backs up his words.  This is a tough challenge to Christians,
one which I certainly don't meet perfectly; but I'm getting there.


-- 
-- Jeff Sargent
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