Millions claim to be Christian but how can you tell the difference between real Christians and those who just exploit the title?
Is this man a Christian?
The Pope in Israel
What about this guy is he a Christian?
Or these two?
Jesus Says:
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
John 11:25 NKJV
He is the resurrection and the life, have these people pictured above believed in Him? Only the triune God knows for sure in addition to those pictured.
The Living Word, Jesus, tells us how to discern a real Christian from deceivers.
1 John 4 New King James Version (NKJV)
4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
Matthew 7:15 [ You Will Know Them by Their Fruits ] “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
Matthew 7:16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
Matthew 7:20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Jesus also says:
Luke 6:30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
In real life what do 'fruits' look like?
Example 1 - a camping trip:
You arrive at your favorite campsite late after a long drive from the city. You find one of the following two scenarios:
- The campsite is trashed and there is no firewood.
- The campsite is ready - complete with firewood.
And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
Example 2 - a trip to the laundromat:
You arrive at your favorite laundromat, wash your clothing and find one of the following two scenarios when they are ready for the dryer:
- A full lint trap.
- A clean lint trap.
Which scenario might point to a Christian based on the Scripture?
(Scenario 2)
And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
You arrive at your favorite retailer looking for just the perfect TV. One of the following two scenarios are part of this shopping experience:
- You have picked the TV of your dreams and...
- You have picked the TV of your dreams and check out.
Which scenario might point to a Christian based on the Scripture? (Scenario 2)
And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
What does it mean to be a Christian showing the fruit of the Spirit?
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Colossians 3:12 [ Character of the New Man ] Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
Ephesians 4:2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
Luke 6:30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
The three examples above are just indicators; those who are filled with Christ's love consider others feelings, needs, and desires, they will fit scenario 2, those who are of the world will fit scenario 1, they are completely self centered.
How many good Samaritans do you see in today's world?
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”
27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”
28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”
37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Why do so many who claim to be Christian behave like those in the Scenario 1 examples?
A couple reasons:
- Most don't hear this preached from the present day U.S. church pulpits.
- Many are not paying attention.
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