what does that even mean?

This is going to be a deep one, so if you are not in a contemplative mood i suggest you stop reading now.

Lately i have been thinking about what it really means to be like jesus. I haven't been so concerned with being a 'good christian' what does that even mean? Is that a contradiction within itself? We are all sinful by nature so shouldn't it be a sinful christian? Shouldnt that be excepted of us? God knows we are sinful beings, he should expect that from us, so why do we (as the collective christian community) feel guilty sometimes for doing things that God excepts from our sinful selves? Why does the church condemn some who decide to go party and have a good time with friends? We get sometimes so concerned with the end results. "Who are we saving? Who are we reaching out to, who this, who that" What about the seed planters? why do we have to always be under the mindset of 'saving souls' Cant we be a testimony though our lifestyle? and im not talking about the fluffy duffy "be in the world but not of the world' because sometimes i dont think that is relevant. And we should be relevant to our times right? Im talking about being loving and compassionate beings toward other people and to those who dont know Christ.

I was having a conversation with someone whose friend is involved in the homeless ministry at their school. First of all, that is straight up out of the bible, to take care and look after those people. Anyway, this person was outside in the cold having a cigarette with this homeless guy and they were just talking about nothing in particular. You all could be thinking, a christian who smokes?? Why isnt he being a better example?? Well.....i dont see you out there ministering to the homeless. He is building a relationship with this homeless guy, who could be thinking, wow this person i dont even know cares about me so much, that he is out in the streets in the middle of the night to give me food and the pleasure of company, why?

Now that i think about it, should christians even be ministering to other christians? I mean there is church for the sake of fellowship and growth, but what if that is all your christianity consists of? Shouldn't you be out in the world, loving and showing hope to all? Isnt faith without works dead?

I feel the majority of christians view other Christians who drink, smoke, curse, whatever not a good example, or not being able to 'reach the unsaved because you are being of the world" i am starting to believe that is not the case. Cant God use everything and everyone if the person is willing? Look at some people in the old testament that God used to do amazing things. God used them because of their faith in Him, not because of the things they did, or did not do.

Now im not saying go out and be an animal and be a drunken idiot everyday with buddies. I believe you need to be responsible, have self control, make sure you have a handle on things and not make whatever you are doing excessive because then that can be a problem...but there is nothing wrong, i feel, with having a good time (whatever a 'good time' means to you)



Its things like that, that i feel is the definition of christianity. Compassion, empathy, love,hope.
A good christian....what does that mean?

Bottom line, i feel, is if we stop being SO concerned with other christians and what they are (or are not) doing in their 'walk' , we will then finally be able to reach out to the world, and change the way the world (as a population, and not as the super spiritual world call it in reference to the unsaved) views christianity.