The actions that define a true Christian

As a Christian, I'm concerned that Christianity is being judged by the misguided crazies murdering in the name of the Lord to further their non-Biblical causes, and so-called churches harassing grieving families at their soldier son's funeral.

Justice seemed to have been served when the soldier's father won a suit against Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., only to have the verdict overturned by an appeals court. That court added insult to injury by ordering the grieving father to pay Phelps' legal bills. That Westboro church is not Baptist or Christian.

The Hutaree militia needs to read the book of Revelation and discover that when the time comes, Jesus Christ is quite capable of showing the world who is in charge. He doesn't need their bully tactics.

A true Christian has accepted the death, burial and resurrection of the divine son of God (Jesus Christ) as the basis for hope of eternal life. A true Christian accepts the Biblical teaching that we have all sinned and need the salvation Christ provided for us. A Christian knows that is the only basis on which God will accept us into heaven.

Salvation is not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). A Christian's calling is to use opportunities to help others know about Jesus and have a chance to receive him of their own free will.

Margaret Bartlett

Cedar Rapids