The first thing that came to mind when I read the part about sects (denominations) within the church is, the Church is not a building or one denomination. It is
all of the beleivers in Christ who are born again. The denomination that a person belongs to has nothing to do with being a part of the body of Christ. All denominations that follow the teachings of Jesus and hold to the core teachings of the Bible are a part of the Church.
The differences between denominations are usually very minor. One of the differences is often the way people choose to worship. Some Christians enjoy traditional hymns with only a piano or an organ or both (I fall into that category) as a part of their worship. Others (like my wife and children) enjoy guitars, drums, and and other instruments as a part of the worship portion of the service. Some denominations beleive in the once saved always saved phylosophy, while others believe you can lose your salvation (I believe we have a choice but once you are truly saved why would you ever want to give it up?). While these are very different beliefs, this is not something that should come between brothers or sisters in Christ. Social drinking is another of what I concider minor difference between denominations. I do not think drinking is good but, I will not judge another Christian for drinking a glass of wine with dinner.
As to what it means to be a Christian. To be born again. To believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he died as an everlasting sacrifice for our sins. To repent of those sins and ask Jesus for forgiveness. Repentance is not just saying we are sorry. It comes from the heart, we must truely be sorry for the sins that we have committed and want to change. A true relationship with Christ will show in what we do and how we act ftom that point on.
One of the false beliefs that many people have is, that if Christians are not perfect then they are hypocrits. We have never claimed to be perfect and none of us are. However, we are forgiven and a work in progress. As Christians mature in their faith, they become more and more like Christ in their behavior. Our goal is to be like Christ, so if we are not making progress over time then something is wrong with our relationship with Christ.
As to Christians killing people...sounds like he has been listening to a liberal teacher or professor talk about the war in Iraq
If our goal is to be like Christ, then we are to love everyone including our enemies. As to whether we have the right to protect ourselves, our families, or our nation by killing evil men...that is a topic for another thread.
Wow I got long winded on this one...I didn't have time to proof read it. I hope it makes since
