Something to think about

Something to Think About.
We in the Christian community know that we have the way to heaven. Yet many in the secular world are turning us off.
Mahatma Gandhi said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
                                                                                            Mahatma Gandhi
Many in Gandhi’s day and today call themselves Christians simply because they came from a western nation, particularly Britain and the United States or they attended church.
As the saying goes “just because you stand in a fire station it doesn’t make you a fire truck.” or perhaps a better analogy is “just because you’re standing in a fire station it doesn’t make you a fireman.”
Jesus said,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
             Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 
                                                                                               Matthew 7:22,23
We as Christians know becoming a Christian is an act of faith. That the individual  must accept Jesus into their hearts and minds. Into their very lives and when they truly do this their lives change.
Here for you to think about  are excerpts from the Bible that to me defines someone who has truly become a Christian. Someone who has accepted God’s saving grace and Jesus into their hearts.
Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” 
                           Matthew 7:12
Jesus said
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 
                         Matthew 7:1,2
“Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                                         Matthew 22:37-40
The Apostle Paul writes,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”  
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
Matthew 5:43-46

James writes,
"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.  
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.  
For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" 
                         James 2:8-13.
For me this is what makes a true Christian.
Tony Campolo wrote,
“Red Letter Christians believe in the doctrines of the Apostle's Creed, are convinced that the Scriptures have been inspired by the Holy Spirit, and make having a personal transforming relationship with the resurrected Christ the touch tone of their faith.”
                                                                                                 Tony Campolo
Not all who say they are Christians are,
Jesus said,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
             Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 
                                                                                               Matthew 7:22,23

Think about it.