Which God are you serving
I grew up in a very religious and strict household, where I didnt know what the bible talked about. However, ever since I got baptized I now have a clue of what it means to be a Christian. You see I grew up in Nigeria where majority of its people are very superstitious, and think everyone is after them, most Nigerians have that mentality of thinking someone is evil and stays clear from them. Both old and young have this stupid mentality, However, like I said in the beginning since my mum and dad called themselves "Christians" I felt that I had to go to church also. Even though I knew I wasn't a true Christian, there was so much hypocrisy in the church, which made me wonder. People holding grudges against each other, fighting, telling lies, backbiting and so on and so forth. Due to me seeing this as what they called "Christianity"i decided not to go to church anymore because, that wasnt true christianity. When I came to Amsterdam for my studies, I studied the bible with 2 friends for almost a year, then I discovered what it meant to be a true follower of christ, see most people claim to serve God but in their heart's is so much evil. I was one of this people still am but now I try to change out of it.
People today freely confess that they are Christians, but few admit that they are disciples. Some people also assume that everyone who is saved is a Christian but “discipleship” is only for a certain few, the elite of the Chritian faith. Yet “Christian” and “disciple” are terms that can be exchanged in the New Testament. We read that “the disciples where first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). Those believers who followed Jesus and His word were disciples and these disciples were called “Christians,” ones who belonged to Christ and were devoted to Him and His word. A Christian is not merely one who claims to believe in Jesus, but also one who is committed to Jesus and sincerely follows His teachings. Does this describe you and me?
See when I was studying the bible, I had alot of sins which I didn't see the need to repent of.
Bitterness—Ephesians 4:31; Hebrews 12:15; Romans 2:24; 3:14; Acts 8:23; James 2:7
Mastabation
Despiteful
Dishonesty
Disobedience to Parents
Lying—Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:15; Ephesians 4:25; Romans 9:1; 2 Corinthians 11:31; Galatians 1:20; 2 Timothy 2:7
Malice—Romans 1:29; Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8; Titus 3:3; 2 Peter 2:1
Self harm
Stealing—Ephesians 4:28; 13:9; Matthew 19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Romans 2:21; 13:9
Self hate
Pride—Mark 7:22; 1 Peter 5:5, 6; James 4:6; Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; 18;14
Entitlement
Effeminacy—1 Corinthians 6:9
Enmities—Galatians 5:20
Envy—Mark 7:22; Galatians 5:26; Titus 3:3
Evil thoughts—Mark 7:21; Matthew 15:19
False witnessing—Matthew 15:19
Unforgiveness—Matthew 6:14-15; Mark 11:25-26
Ungratefulness—2 Tmothy 3:2; Romans 1:21; Luke 6:35; 2 Timothy 3:2
Hatred—2 Timothy 3:3; Titus 3:3
Jealousy—Galatians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 12:20; James 3:16
These are all I can name for now but theres so much more, even now i struggle to love those who have wronged me. I struggle with hatred in my heart with unforgivness, and due to that I talk negative and bad about others. I realized it today when I was speaking with a woman who came to drop off groceries in my place. I spoke bad if two people and later when I realized I felt ashamed and awful. My guilt are me up, I couldn't even stay home today. I repented instantly and got convicted on it. Although, due to me not even liking them I realized satan can use that against me. I got baptized last month, and I'm a follower of christ I'm not supposed to be like the world. Holding grudges in my heart, and I always told I never held a grudge but my friend told me if you keep avoiding people and not talking to them that's a grudge. I held grudges against people in my heart even though I lie to myself that i let them go but today i can truly say i let everything go. Because, I dont want to be held by the past or people in the past or future.
A disciple of christ is one who genuinely loves others. Love is another primary trait of one who are disciples of Jesus. Our Lord says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). A disciple of Christ is not one who is selfish and unconcerned; rather, he is one who genuinely loves other believers (and all people)—for in this way, we display to others that we are true disciples of Jesus.
It is way too easy for someone to deceive himself, thinking or claiming to be a disciple of Jesus Christ just because he is affiliated to a certain church or a certain Christian denomination. Disciples of Jesus Christ are defined by their faith, and them following the standard of the holy bible which is the right doctrine not a pastor or church standard, they believe and obey Jesus with loyalty and free will.
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