Tell me, /christian/, if you can, what defines a Christian? What is that essential jewel in the centre of all the guff that makes a Christian?
I read an article today in which the forthcoming American princess said someone in an LA soup kitchen told her 13yo self that "life is about putting others’ needs above your own fears" and I thought to myself, well, that's an awfully Christian thing to say, isn't it? For did not God Himself say that in deed, if not in words? Christ saw in humanity the need to be saved and, above and beyond His own fears, willingly died, did He not? Does not every saint and martyr recognise the same? Perhaps the person who said that was Christian. And then I observe the world and I see this same statement being copied by the world. The world sees that this is the standard, and some are even living by it. And I see in myself my fears far outstripping my own willingness to help others.
When the world seems more Christian than you are, are you simply not-saved? If aid workers who sacrifice their middle-class lives (if not their actual lives) are more "Christian" by this quote-definition than you, that you are not "out there" changing lives for the better, you're just "in here" tapping on a computer, spreading your disgust at the world, are you not Christian, or are they more Christian than you? Is the world more Godly than we would admit? Or do I have the wrong end of the proverbial stick? Is works not the definition of "being Christian"?
You can all turn this into another Catholic/Baptist works/grace shitflinging exercise, if you so desire. Or you can burrow down further and answer me this: what defines a Christian in light of the world's ability to mimic our Lord's grace?
genuine question from a three-year veteran of this place inb4 >>>/reddit/ >>>/leftypol/ and other associated BS.