(June 17, 2015 at 7:58 am)Mister Agenda Wrote:(June 16, 2015 at 1:42 pm)SteveII Wrote: I would argue that these types of people are not Christians no matter what they claim. Being a Christian takes more than just claiming the name. You have to live like one to deserve the title. A good test is from Galatians 5:
Life by the Spirit
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Well, it seems I've only encountered about three Christians then.
The Christians that I have met who most fit these verses generally aren't very religious and don't go to church. I have also met nonChristians who are very gentle, kind people that meet most of the criteria for a good person, at least what is outlined in those verses. So, the fruit of the Holy Spirit is given to people who don't believe in Jesus and is denied to many of those who do. It is almost like the HS does not exist.
