do you live your life as per your faith?

[superbagpuss]

for example there is a man at work who is a born again Christian. Always talking about what he does as church etc

I am a Christian as well and try to live my life according

I have said a few times to him that I don't like to gossip as he is bad mouthing someone behind her back ( although she is a nightmare) and today I had to point out that he was being racist

Am I being right in telling him I don't like what he's saying and using the fact that we are both Christians to justify that? or am I coming across as holier then thou?

PS, has a really bad day and swore like a trooper today at work - I am nowhere near a good Christian

I think you're doing exactly the right thing, good on you! The bible says "by their fruits you shall know them", what was your colleagues reaction when you pulled him up on it? clearly The bible expects you to "behave" like a Christian not just profess to be one. The apostles were called "Christians" because they behaved Christlike, they didn't go about beating their chests claiming to be better than everyone else.

sounds like you're living it out. Gossip can be so destructive. I think you're right to point out racism as a human being so no problem with that. If he's making a big deal out of being a Christian and not actually living up to it, then I thnk you're doing him a kindness to point it out to him. No one likes a hypocrite.

The Bible advises you to continue to exhort people and we are to suffer exhortations! Don't be too hard on him though, a lot can be said in ignorance, or just because there is an existing bad habit of venting.

So here is the thing, this chap is a new Christian and is all excited and involved which is great. He will have made a commitment of faith but not lived it yet.

In Galatians it says that the fruits of the spirit are 'love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.' And as Gunznroses says Christians are known by their fruit.

Sounds like your chap needs some time to mature.

It doesn't matter what religion he follows or what you follow for that matter. Racism isn't something which should be tolerated whatever his belief system. Don't try to justify it with being Christian, it probably won't help.

I think that a bit of gentle encouragement is what is needed. If he is a recent convert, he will need to grow and mature. You need to show gentleness and patience with him while the Spirit works in him making him a new creation. But you can help that re-creation on its way by showing him a good example and by kindly leading him in the right direction.

Where does the OP say he's a new convert?, he is one of many holier than thou Christians i have met, whose faith and actions are two parallel lines that will never meet. They give other christians a really bad name and turn non christians off christianity.

And in this context pedro it does matter that OP reminds him of his christianity. I don't see where she is 'justifying' his actions, she is reminding him since he likes to profess his 'born again' status that not only is gossiping and racism wrong but also not in line with his faith.

You cannot boast of your christianity in the office and at the same time gossip about other people and be racist.

Pass the sick bucket.

Must be lovely to be a good christian and live the life!
Take the podium.

As if.

Pass the sick bucket. Must be lovely to be a good christian and live the life!Take the podium.

Yes it is indeed! Couldn't agree more

Good for you- have a medal for having such a high degree of moral attenuation.

Thank you

The fact he is religious is irrelevant.

If someone is acting I appropriately at work, anyone who sees or hears it had a duty to raise the issue with the individual, or his/her line manager.

If this person was pagan, would you accept the behavioir?

wow, Christianity isn't fussy who it lets in, is it? The man is nasty and a racist.

isn't there something in the religion about tolerance and understanding? Or doesn't he believe in that bit?

report him, anyway.

wow, Christianity isn't fussy who it lets in, is it?

I think that's rather the point of it.

And in this context pedro it does matter that OP reminds him of his christianity.

It matters not one bit. Unless you are suggesting that non Christians are racist.

I think reminding this person of their Christianity (and how racism is very much not a part of Christianity, pointing him to important Christians like Martin Luther King etc) would be an effective way of making them stop. Obviously it wouldn't be acceptable in anyway, but there's the double imperative of it being socially wrong and religiously wrong if that makes sense? I am pretty sure that all major religions are opposed to racism though.

Oh and re swearing it's not particularly un-Christian - St Paul swears in his letters, and St Peter swore in front of Jesus. Just language innit.

"why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when there's a log in your own"

it's tricky. I wouldn't say anything to that person.
maybe just that I don't like to get involved in gossip and leave it at that.

I try to be a good Christian but I'm short-tempered and swear a lot.i have many short comings as well as good traits.
I can only hope I'm good enough.