Introduction
References in the scriptures to false teachers, wheat and tares, those who “went out from us” (1 John 2:19) and… “depart from me, I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23) prove there are both false Christians and true Christians within the Church. Here is a brief summary of the some of the key attributes that mark a ‘born-again’, ‘spirit-filled’ Christian.
A true Christian:
1. Believes that Jesus is Lord
This is the pre-eminent characteristic of a true Christian because salvation hinges on it (Romans 10:9; Philippians 2:11).
Marked by:
The public confession of faith (Matthew 10:32).
A willingness to accept that God is the creator, not the ‘evolver’ of all (Romans 1:18-20).
A desire to disciple and be discipled.
A love for and determination to live according to the commands of God (1 John 5:2).
Concerned about outreach – taking the gospel to the unsaved.
2. Accepts that the Bible is the full and final counsel of God
The true Christian acknowledges that the Bible is the means used by God to reveal his character and counsel for faith and life. The Bible is used to test everything, including experience, emotions, thoughts, prophecy and teaching. The Bible is accepted as infallible and accurate.
Marked by:
Regular critical reflection, based on the Bible, of any teaching or prophecy Jeremiah 23:28; Acts 17:11).
The regular habit of Bible study (John 8:31; 2 Timothy 3:16)
The ability/willingness to defend the accuracy/reliability and infallibility of the Bible (Jude 3; 2 Corinthians 10:5).
3. Holds to all of the essential doctrines of an evangelical faith
The true Christian knows and understands these essentials of the faith. Salvation is by faith alone, in Christ alone, understood through Scripture alone (Romans 10:14), by God’s grace alone to the glory of God alone (Ephesians 1:1-14).
Marked by:
A maturity in understanding that is not swayed or confused by unbiblical teaching or prophecy (Ephesians 4:14-16).
An ability to teach others with gentleness and respect (Titus 1:11, 2:1; 2 Timothy 2:24).
A willingness to admonish those who deviate from the essentials of the faith (Col 1:28, 3:16, 1 Timothy 1:3).
A drive to demonstrate faith in works that build the Kingdom of God (Matthew 24:14).
4. Is distressed by sin in the church
In Hebrews 1:9, referring to Jesus Christ our Lord it is said that he “loved righteousness and hated wickedness”. The true Christian actively avoids sin in his own life and opposes it in the church because it undermines our Christian witness before the unsaved (1 Peter 2:12).
Marked by:
A deep concern about unrighteousness in the World (2Peter 2:8)
An active interest in opposing sin in the World (Proverbs 25:26; Ezekiel 9:4; Psalm 119:158).
A willingness to confront sin in the church (Matthew 18:15-17).
Personal honesty and reflection followed by the open confession of any known personal sin (1 John 1:9; James 5:16).
5. Is distressed by false teaching and prophecy in the church
The prophets, our Lord Jesus Christ and the apostles all warned us that false teachers, apostles and prophets would be present in the church (Matthew 24:11; Acts 20:29-30; John 10:12; 2 Corinthians 11:13). The true Christian is always on his guard.
Marked by:
The diligent study of the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15).
Guarding the truth against error (1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 4:15; 2 Peter 3:14-17)*.
Active opposition to false doctrine and prophecy (Jude 3; Colossians 3:16).
*This is especially true for those Christians appointed as elders (Acts 20:31).
6. Always tests what they hear and do against the Word of God
The Lord requires the Christian to test both themselves and what they see and hear against the Word of God (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Corinthians 8:8). True Christians measure their own thoughts words and actions against Scripture (Romans 12:2; Proverbs 3:21). They do the same in relation to others.
Marked by:
Regularly appraises their own behaviour against the character traits known as the ‘fruit of the spirit’ (Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:9; 2 Corinthians 13:5).
Does not automatically accept any teaching or prophecy just because it comes from a pastor or well known Christian (Isaiah 8:20; Matthew 7:15; Philippians 1:9-11).
Tests the actions of others against God’s commands and judges the person accordingly (1 Corinthians 5:12; Revelation 2:2).
7. Consciously models agape love
Love is the most important characteristic of any Christian (1 John 4:8) because the exercise of love as defined in 1 Corinthians 13 mirrors the character of God. Without love a Christian is no more than a ‘clanging cymbal’ (1 Corinthians 13:1; 1 John 3:14). Love is not an emotion. It is an act of will made more possible by the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the true Christian (John 14:21).
Marked by:
A love of God reflected in a sanctified life free of immorality, complacency and deceit. The love of God is reflected in the willingness to obey his commands for holy living (Matthew 22:37; 1 John 5:2-3).
Love and forgiveness for those who hate and abuse the Christian (Matthew 5:44).
A love of the truth and active opposition to what is evil (Romans 12:9; 1 John 3:18).
A willingness to be patient, kind, forgiving, unselfish, persevering, trusting [in God], protective [of others and the truth] and hopeful [in our eventual glorification] (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7).
An acceptance of Gods correction (Revelation 3:19).
The conscious separation of the holy from the secular (Luke 16:33; 1 John 2:15).
A loving concern for brothers and sisters in Christ, family and others [our ‘neighbours’] (Matthew 19:19: 22:39; 1 John 3:17).
A reduced fear of what might happen in this world and no fear about the certainty of salvation (1 John 4:18).
8. Fears God, holding Him in reverential awe
Unlike worldly fear, the fear of God is not a destructive emotion but a life giving, strengthening knowledge based on holding a perfect, holy God in reverential awe. The true Christian knows that God will hold us to account for everything we do, judging our actions, thoughts and motives. Scripture teaches us that fearing God is essential if we are to gain the wisdom and knowledge we need to live according to God’s principles and mirror His character (Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7).
Marked by:
Actively searching the word of God for the Lord’s commands because to love God is to obey His commands (2 John 5:2-3).
The living of an increasingly sanctified life [free of sin – Proverbs 14:27], through the knowledge of God (2 Peter 1:3; Titus 1:1).
Freedom from anxiety, living at peace and seeing church growth (Proverbs 1:33, Acts 9:31).
Is willing to examine and change habits (Psalm 55:19)
Knows the protection and provision of God (Proverbs 2: 1-8).
Accepts any testing times as godly growing and learning experiences (Exodus 20:20)
Is actively opposed to evil and injustice (Proverbs 28:4-5; 8:13).
9. Is concerned to spread the ‘gospel of the kingdom’
The true Christian recognizes that our chief concern must be the proclamation of the ‘good news’ (Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; Revelation 14:6; Colossians 1:23). Any church that does not put the gospel first has lost sight of its calling. There are various aspects to what Jesus called “the gospel of the kingdom” (Matthew 24:14; Mark 1:14; Matthew 9:35). These aspects are reflected in the ‘marked by’ section.
Marked by:
The ability to present the gospel of Jesus Chris [His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins] in different circumstances (Luke 4:18; Romans 10:5).
Apologetic skills – the ability to show how the Bible proves itself [e.g. prophetic fulfillment, archaeological proof, scientific evidence] (1 Peter 3:15; Jude 3; 2 Corinthians 10:5).
An emphasis on a gospel of repentance, not a cheap grace gospel – ‘Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life…’ (Isaiah 59:20; Jeremiah 15:19; Mark 6:12; Luke 13:3-5; Acts 3:19; 20:21; 26:20).
A concern to be a witness to their immediate family (1 Timothy 5:8; Exodus 20:12; Proverbs 30:17; Isaiah 58:7).
A desire to witness by helping the poor and needy (Psalm 41:1; 72:4; Luke 7:22; Mark 10:21; Galatians 2:10; James 2:5).
10. Applies a Christian world view to our times
A world view is a consistent understanding of the times in which we live. The true Christian is so grounded in biblical and spiritual understanding that they can apply it to the whole of life and the times in which we live (1 Chronicles 12:32; Matthew 16:3).
Marked by:
Recognizes that the Bible is the whole counsel of God. There is no segregation of ‘church life’ and secular life. The whole of life and all that is happening in society and the world is examined in the light of scripture (2 Timothy 3:16).
An ability to discern and shun false ideas (Colossians 2:8, 2 Peter 3:17; Ephesians 5:6).
A concern for righteous government (Romans 13:1-5; 1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Active opposition to evil in the world.
God Bless you
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