Genuine Struggle with things of God
Genuine questions and struggles with never having found answers.
People who claim to be Christian aren't perfect. There are some who are not actually Christian; Scripture is very clear on this. But if you read the Bible, you would come to know this. I do honestly encourage you to read the Bible for yourself. It doesn't take long to do so.
Non believer, skeptic & many churchgoers have a basic lack of Biblical knowledge and lack of understanding the Scriptures. It's likely 90% of them left church because they never understood the Bible, true gospel, any teaching of Scripture & Biblical doctrine, but also lacked assurance of evidences and somehow incorrectly assumed 1. They were a Christian or 2. Had doubts cuz no one helped them solidify their faith based on evidence. But let's be honest- 3. They never read the Bible, and certainly haven't read it cover to cover even 2x.
For these people who are skeptics or claim to be believers, bring up objections or wonder about certain things in Christianity... I'm going to do my best to regularly answer some of those questions.
WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE CHRISTIANS, but don't seem to actually be Christian? You answered your own question.
It is good that each of us only follow the master- Jesus, not the followers of Him. For the disciples will always be imperfect followers and make mistakes. If they live like the world, and love it - they aren`t born again by God's Holy Spirit. If they struggle with temptation, yet seem to grow more in holiness and mature in the faith (according to Scripture), radiating Christ ...then they are a believer. We aren't perfect, God makes us more holy day by day thru our entire lifetime. It's called Sanctification.
But remember, if we each follow the Master Jesus then we can strive to become more like him as we apply the Scriptures to our lives. We need to know and be in the Scriptures regularly (daily) so we can also test everything people say (or the ways of the world), or the teachings of a religion. We must try it based on the truths of Scripture... if not we'll make our own beliefs and fall off the right path. Thats idolatry; this happens by making up our own views based on faulty thoughts or twisted Scripture (or both).
WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE CHRISTIANS, but don't seem to actually be Christian? You answered your own question.
It is good that each of us only follow the master- Jesus, not the followers of Him. For the disciples will always be imperfect followers and make mistakes. If they live like the world, and love it - they aren`t born again by God's Holy Spirit. If they struggle with temptation, yet seem to grow more in holiness and mature in the faith (according to Scripture), radiating Christ ...then they are a believer. We aren't perfect, God makes us more holy day by day thru our entire lifetime. It's called Sanctification.
But remember, if we each follow the Master Jesus then we can strive to become more like him as we apply the Scriptures to our lives. We need to know and be in the Scriptures regularly (daily) so we can also test everything people say (or the ways of the world), or the teachings of a religion. We must try it based on the truths of Scripture... if not we'll make our own beliefs and fall off the right path. Thats idolatry; this happens by making up our own views based on faulty thoughts or twisted Scripture (or both).
If we read, know and apply the Scriptures then we'll walk the straight path that God wants us on. And when we obey the Gospel [to Repent (once and for all) of our sins, forsake sin totally, and trust only in Jesus finished work on the Cross for our salvation], God will accept Jesus "work" on our behalf and make us right with God - and give us the free gift of eternal life.
We can ONLY be right with God when we obey the gospel on HIS terms, otherwise its Hell; for our crimes. And, God HAS given redeemed mankind the Job of warning the lost about the coming Judgment, and since we Christians have escaped it, we are to obey the command of God to "go and tell others so they can be saved". The end is near and Hell is eternal. God chose believers to do that job, and it is a job we must do, no matter how people feel about the message. The truth is always the truth. It never changes, neither does God's command. All of which came from God. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
If you've got questions visit <Resources> they have good resources there to help you find answers to your questions.
We can ONLY be right with God when we obey the gospel on HIS terms, otherwise its Hell; for our crimes. And, God HAS given redeemed mankind the Job of warning the lost about the coming Judgment, and since we Christians have escaped it, we are to obey the command of God to "go and tell others so they can be saved". The end is near and Hell is eternal. God chose believers to do that job, and it is a job we must do, no matter how people feel about the message. The truth is always the truth. It never changes, neither does God's command. All of which came from God. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
If you've got questions visit <Resources> they have good resources there to help you find answers to your questions.
Believer resources
Skeptic resources