/christian/ - Christian Discussion and Fellowship

>>816124

What do you mean true Christian? The bare minimum to be saved which trying to achieve you'll probably damn yourself, or union with God? Union with God in this life isn't about "giving up" stuff as if it had value, or tormenting yourself, it is about love, and not doing anything that could block love and doing everything to become it, because it is God. You'll have to spend as much time in prayer as you have the strength for, abstain from things that block love (and yes, culture is a part of it, aka Judas Priest, but not because it is bad, but because it is not the ultimate), treat others with charity and deny yourself even the most basic seeking of justice for yourself, and encounter yourself with observation and prayer. You have to "give up" everything that society/culture (not just modern, I mean all society at all time, it was never holy) finds good or valuable, and it will be replaced by Christ's values. It seems boring at the foot of the Cross, and empty, but that is only appearances. If you think you will "die" if you have to give up social media, games, music, entertainment of all sorts, gossip, time away from prayer, political involvement, etc, for love, then that's good, that's the point, die to yourself and let Christ live His life in you. That's what a Christian is. You can do that or you can be like the other so-called Christians and pretend like this religion is abstaining from grievous sin, going to Church on Sunday, and praying the Rosary daily, while romping around in the foul world all the other time. You have a choice, do what you want, but know this: if you aim too low you will almost certainly fail to even have basic salvation, or you will spend so much time being cleansed and in misery of your sins that you will not be out until the end of the age. God bless anon.

>>816125

Wait so do i need to pray and worship every opportunity I get? Will i ever get to enjoy anything?

>>816126

Pray as much as you can, work when your duties have to, and when you need rest/relaxation, make it prayerful, like Jesus when He took breaks from His ministry in the Gospel. Read spiritual poetry and such. Like it said, it seems enjoyable, the silence crushing, but once one develops the taste for life at the foot of the Cross it is the greatest beauty and joy. You can't see how if you're not there yet, you have to make the leap into what seems to be horrid pain.

>>816128

What do i pray about and how long?

>>816130

Begin small, you can't go out into the desert and pray all night without sleep as the fathers of old did, 15 minutes of mental prayer (the best form for all to begin doing, it leads to union) a day. http://www.awakentoprayer.org/method_metal_prayer.htm Do it on any subject of God you desire

>>816131

Thank you anon god bless

>my favorite band is Judas Priest

Well, you have good taste.

No, you don't have to give up on them, though there may come a time when you no longer enjoy them so much. I used to love Hammerfall and Manowar (both awesome bands) as a teenager, but now I find Manowar a bit too on the edgy side for my taste. I still like them, but not to the same degree. Personally, I feel metal is, of the popular genres of music, the most Christian. Others like pop and hip-hop tend to be absolutely soul-less and lead to nihilism. When it comes to Hammerfall, many of their songs are about honor, duty and sacrifice, so I'm way more comfortable enjoying them. It's not that you'll become a puritan who makes the sign of the cross in front of a metal album, it's just that some of the more teenage angsty music won't connect so much with you.

Personally, I think this anon nailed it. >>816125

Christianity is followed with the heart, not by LARPing. I'm a Catholic, and it pains me to say that some of the most heretical denominations, like Mormons and Jehovah's witnesses, are the ones who act more consistently in Christian ways, even if their doctrines are all over the place. As important as doctrine and understanding it are, they're nothing is your heart isn't in the right place.

When it comes to prayer, think of it not so much as a duty but as good quality me-time. You could kind of say it's the western version of meditation. Relax yourself and pray slowly. If you're a Cath, the rosary is great. You can stop after a pair of mysteries and carry on later. Just remember that it was never supposed to be the only prayer you pray, so pray other things too.

>>816124

I mean, Judas Priest (despite the name) rarely actually sings about hell. I like Venom and I'm still Christian, I just don't let them influence my thoughts/ideals.

>>816153

The only band I refuse to listen to as a christian is Ghost, both because of their stage act, and because they suck hard.

Seriously, they're crappy glam rock cosplaying as black metal . Were it not for their Edgelord-bait act, they would never have been popular

I still listen to metal after coming back to Christ, but I listen to it a bit less. I used to love Iron Maiden, Metallica, Judas Priest, and so much more. Nowadays I still like their music since it was a huge part of my life at one time, but I don't listen to it as frequently and I don't let the lyrics influence me. If you want a good Christian metal band, check out Theocracy. They have a kind of Dream Theater vibe and all of their songs are Christian themed.

>>816126

>Will i ever get to enjoy anything?

You will find something that is much better than a rock song.

>>816153 the wrong idea, read more

>>816125 the right idea…

Literally everything

>Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,

>my memory, my understanding,

>and my entire will,

>All I have and call my own.

>You have given all to me.

>To you, Lord, I return it.

>Everything is yours; do with it what you will.

>Give me only your love and your grace,

>that is enough for me.

<> Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matt 16:24-26

<>Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. Luke 18:20-22

You need to be willing to give up everything. You possessions, your only son, your mother and father, and your very life. You can withhold nothing from God because He withheld nothing from you. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Everything you have and love comes from Him – you are a temporary steward.

/thread

>>816124

>What would i have to give up in order to become a true Christian?

the belief that anything you do in your own strength, such as giving up listening to metal, can earn you God's favour