There's something that I've been guilty of in the past before I recommited myself to the Lord Jesus Christ that I see non-believers do, and also see other believers do. That is seeing someone that "claims to be a christian" act a certain way and then make the statement "he/she claims to be a christian". As I said, I've been seeing and hearing that statement alot from believers and non-believers alike which got me to thinking. What is a Christian? I tend to be dismissive, wrongly at times, when a non-believer has a standard of Christian behavior because IMO how can they know what Christian behavior should be if they're not Christian. However, then I see Christians with their standards of Christian behavior that I think how can they believe such a way surely they know better. ie Dawgbitten's experiences with his past affiliations. Does a Christian only need to be a "red letter" believer or adhere to the whole New Testament? I will be the first to admit, which is why I have my next question, that I can't really say what a Christian is.
So, here is my question(s). What is a Christian? What should a Christian's behavior exemplify? Should a Christian be perfect in everything he/she does? If not, what are allowable mistakes (sins)? If possible, maybe supply some scriptural support for your answers. I would go further in my premilinary thoughts, but I don't want this post to go on too long, plus I've got to go drop my son at school.