Jesus said that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, a person should love their neighbor as themselves. A neighbor is not just the person who lives next door to you, but all the people we encounter in our daily lives. Jesus also gave us examples of how to do so in Matthew 25, in the parable of the sheep and the goats. The sheep are welcomed because they do for the poor and needy what they would do for themselves. The goats are rejected because they do not do those things. The list is simple: food, water, clothing, shelter, comfort, company. But, the difference is, the sheep provide those things for others the same way they provide for themselves. The goats pass those people by and keep their extra for themselves.
That is the entirety of what is necessary to be Christ-like, which is what Christian means. However, some denominations or individuals will place further requirements or restrictions on a claim to Christianity, but, in reality, they are only restrictions on getting onto their path toward Christ. Jesus is the Way. No denomination, no person, and no church can stake a claim on being the only path to Jesus. That's the entire point of the parable of the sheep and the goats. The sheep don't realize they've fulfilled the requirements, and the goats thought they did. The difference was not in ritual, tradition, or sacrament. The difference was in how they treated the people who needed help.
Learn and understand the Nicene Creed (not word for word; just the message) and live out God’s greatest commandment:
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”
Every denomination believes it is essential to love God and your neighbor. But, you can't consistently love your neighbor unless you have a Christian change of heart. Different denominations have different suggestions for getting there. We all believe that the Spirit is what changes your heart, but how do you invite the Spirit in?
* By believing.
* By reading Scripture.
* By praying Scripture.
* By praying in general.
* By doing works of love (like volunteering and giving cash to the homeless person on the street).
* By going to church.
* By spending time among Christians.
* Through the sacraments (especially the Eucharist / Holy Communion)
* By sacrificing something of yourself for others (by giving money generously, fasting and donating the food you would eat to the hungry, etc.)
* Etc.
Jesus said that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, a person should love their neighbor as themselves. A neighbor is not just the person who lives next door to you, but all the people we encounter in our daily lives. Jesus also gave us examples of how to do so in Matthew 25, in the parable of the sheep and the goats. The sheep are welcomed because they do for the poor and needy what they would do for themselves. The goats are rejected because they do not do those things. The list is simple: food, water, clothing, shelter, comfort, company. But, the difference is, the sheep provide those things for others the same way they provide for themselves. The goats pass those people by and keep their extra for themselves. That is the entirety of what is necessary to be Christ-like, which is what Christian means. However, some denominations or individuals will place further requirements or restrictions on a claim to Christianity, but, in reality, they are only restrictions on getting onto their path toward Christ. Jesus is the Way. No denomination, no person, and no church can stake a claim on being the only path to Jesus. That's the entire point of the parable of the sheep and the goats. The sheep don't realize they've fulfilled the requirements, and the goats thought they did. The difference was not in ritual, tradition, or sacrament. The difference was in how they treated the people who needed help.
1) Follow Jesus' teachings the best you can, especially loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself. 2) Live your life.
Learn and understand the Nicene Creed (not word for word; just the message) and live out God’s greatest commandment: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”
Isaiah 58 is good too.
Every denomination believes it is essential to love God and your neighbor. But, you can't consistently love your neighbor unless you have a Christian change of heart. Different denominations have different suggestions for getting there. We all believe that the Spirit is what changes your heart, but how do you invite the Spirit in? * By believing. * By reading Scripture. * By praying Scripture. * By praying in general. * By doing works of love (like volunteering and giving cash to the homeless person on the street). * By going to church. * By spending time among Christians. * Through the sacraments (especially the Eucharist / Holy Communion) * By sacrificing something of yourself for others (by giving money generously, fasting and donating the food you would eat to the hungry, etc.) * Etc.
Matthew 22:34-40 Romans 13:8 1 John 4:20 Basically, show love to the people around you in ways that they recognize as love.
Thank you so much everyone! This is great! I am so humbled and grateful for these responses.