You may use this checklist to identify a real Christian and differentiate them from so-called or nominal Christians. And it has nothing to do with how many what’s app messages you forward, as some people suppose. They send you a distracting message and then claim that by sending it, you show that you are a Christian. What arrant nonsense!
Jesus Had A Checklist For Identifying A Christian
Jesus Himself fired off the theme of this checklist that we can use to identify a real Christian. He commanded us to love one another. As if that was not hard enough, He took it up one notch. He wanted His first disciples to love one other as He has loved them (emphasis mine). Ouch!
Jesus went on to say that love is the one cardinal sign of discipleship. He said, “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples.” Not by how many lives you make miserable with forwarded social media messages. Please don’t hear me saying you should not share with your friends and family. Why, only yesterday, one of this blog’s followers promised to do just that.
Do Not Use Sharing As A Checklist To Identify A Christian
However, I am certain they will not try to make it into something that it is not. They wont badger anyone with “send this to 12 people and if you don’t, then you are ashamed of Jesus.” If you have previously been beguiled into forwarding just because you want to confess Jesus, I congratulate you. You can stop being bullied. Your only responsibility is to love others with the love of Jesus.
And therein is the rub. Jesus’ standard is so high that the human, unregenerated mind rejects it. That is why we resort to manufacturing another checklist to use in identifying a real Christian. Or as Paul said, we have not submitted to the righteousness of God. It is easier to make up one rather than to submit to that of God. And then we use that checklist to identify a real Christian. Is it any wonder then that we totally miss it and start to trust the wrong people?
Paul Filled In The Checklist
When Jesus made the request about loving one another, He was running out of time. He was on His way out of the disciples’ lives, going back to Heaven. And because they couldn’t yet go with Him, He had to leave them an eternal word. Consequently, what He gave them was the overarching command. It was the title of the checklist to use to check our Christianity. Love one another and the world will thereby know that you are my disciples.
However, it devolved on the Apostle Paul to later put the bullet points in. Writing to to the church in Rome, Paul gave them the contents of the checklist. They could henceforth use this checklist to identify a real Christian. He did not limit it to others. As we use this checklist to identify a real Christian, remember Jesus. He had said to remove the plank in our eye. It is only then that we will see clearly enough to diagnose the sawdust in the other person’s eye.
Checklist Points To Use For Identifying A Christian
Paul told them as he is telling us:
- Let love be without hypocrisy
- Abhor what is evil
- Cling to what is good
- Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another
- Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
- Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
- Distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality
- Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
- Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep
- Be of the same mind toward one another.
- Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble
- Repay no one evil for evil.
- Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
- Do not be wise in your own opinion.
- If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
- Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
- Therefore, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
- Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This Checklist Is Quite a Tall Order
It should not surprise you that we constantly try to do a workaround of this checklist. It is quite an order. Starting where Jesus left off, Paul says “no hypocrisy.” Don’t pretend that you love someone. Jesus did not pretend to love us. He genuinely loved us, Enough to die for our sins. If at any point in reading that checklist, you groaned, you are in good company. A sincere Christian will confess their failings at every point. And that is because no one can live the Christian life in their own strength. Each of us needs the Holy Spirit is why Jesus sent Him down to earth.
Paul needed to ensure we do not use the abstractness of the first three points as an escape chute. Therefore he becomes very specific and practical. You cannot say you do not know what points 4 to the end mean. And no, I did not make up the list. You can check the references for yourself. They are in the twelfth chapter of the epistle to the Romans.
The Beauty Of A Checklist
Management experts love checklists. We all have the same list and cannot pretend ignorance. Simply apply it to the situation and your results are very likely to be similar or equal. The Bible also likes checklist, like this one we are considering. Simply use this checklist to identify the real Christian among your friends and family. If they are not real Christians, preach Jesus to them so that where He is, they will be also – in Heaven.
You may find yourself failing in one or more points. ask for help from the Holy Spirit To help you be a real Christian. In your heart, where it really matters
God Bless you,
