I know many on here call themselves christians, but what truly makes a christian; where does Salvation come from? Is it ALL of the LORD or not? How you answer that will make a big difference what you believe, and if it is Bible based. I think C.H. Spurgeon said it best;
""Salvation is of the LORD" That is just the epitome
of Calvinism; it is the sum and substance of it. If anyone should ask me what I mean by a Calvinist, I should reply, "He is one who says, Salvation is of the LORD." I cannot find in Scripture any other doctrine than this. It is the essence of the Bible. "He only is my rock and salvation." Tell me anything contrary to this truth, and it will be heresy; tell me a heresy, and I shall find its essence here, that it has departed from this great, this fundamental, this rock-truth, "God is my rock and salvation." What is the heresy of Rome, but the addition of something to the perfect merits of Jesus Christ-the bringing in the works of the flesh, to assist in our justification? And what is the heresy of Arminianism but the addition of something to the work of the Redeemer? Every heresy, if brought to the touchstone, will discover itself here. I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it
Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith, without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend a
gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation after having once believed inJesus. Such a gospel I abhor."
So if you do not know what the gospel REALLY is stop calling yourselves christians. And go find a New Testament Church, and you will not find it easy to live your life as a "american christian". You must ask your selves if the gospel I hear today would be the same gospel peached in the 1600 or in the 1st century, if it is not you and your church have a problem at hand.