Are you a real Christian?
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Afterwards, our lives will reflect unto all a drastic change - a change from Darkness to Light, from the Power of Satan to the Power of God. John the Baptist said it this way to the Pharisees, the religious leaders of his day - 'Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance'
(Matthew 3:8). In other words, let your lives prove your change of heart. The Lord Jesus added, 'Ye shall know them by their fruits'(Matthew 7:16).
So we see that not everyone who confesses to be a Christian is one - only those who are bringing forth the necessary fruits in their lives, showing that they are indeed hooked to the True Vine - the Lord Jesus Christ(John 15). Only those who are showing a changed lifestyle can actually claim to be a follower and disciple of Christ..
The Apostle Paul reminded us in Titus 1:16 that there would be a people who would 'profess that they know God', but in works, they would deny Him - 'being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.' With this in mind, how necessary it is in this day and hour for a clear-cut definition to be drawn, marking what a TRUE CHRISTIAN really is. By examining Psalm 26, a Psalm of David's, we can see what some of those distinguishing qualities that mark a TRUE CHRISTIAN in our time.
#1 LIVES AN UPRIGHT LIFE
'Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity...'
Psalm 26:1
A TRUE CHRISTIAN is one who endeavors to live an upright life. He has a great desire to do that which is right in the sight of God and man. Like Job, he is one who is 'perfect(good) and upright' and one who lives in the FEAR of the Lord all the day long, eschewing or avoiding all evil
(Job 1:1). He is sincere and honest in all of his dealings with God and man. He does not lie to keep his job or promote wealth or self. He is truthful and faithful - working righteousness, speaking the truth at all times, not doing evil to his neighbor, and keeping his word unto others(Psalm 15).
#2 TRUSTS IN THE LORD
'...I have trusted also in the LORD...'
Psalm 26:2
A TRUE CHRISTIAN is one who does not lean to the arm of the flesh, but places his total confidence in the Lord alone. His hope is in the Lord God Almighty, and his trust is in His Holy Word. He does not lean to his own understanding or seek to direct his own paths, but acknowledges His Lord and Master in all of his ways(Proverbs 3:5-6).
#3 DESIRES GOD'S SCRUTINY OF HIS WALK
'Examine me, O LORD, and prove me: try my reins and my heart.'
Psalm 26:2
A TRUE CHRISTIAN desires God's most thorough investigation of his life to determine the evidences of his Christianity. He yearns for God's strict and rigid examination of his life to prove his genuineness as a Christian. As one would test the quality of metals, he desires that God would 'examine' him, 'prove' him, and 'try' his affections, mind, and soul with His HOLY FIRE to determine if he is indeed walking according to the TRUTH of God's Word.
#4 DESIRES GOD'S FAVOR AND FRIENDSHIP
'For Thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes...'
Psalm 26:3
A TRUE CHRISTIAN is one whose chief aim, object of intense desire, and steady purpose of life is to secure the favor of God and to be called, like Abraham, a 'FRIEND OF GOD.' His eye is constantly on God's goodness and lovingkindness. He wants to always and forevermore be in good standing with the Lord Jesus so that his friendship with the Lord will be secure and everlasting. More than anything else in life, he yearns to walk with God as Enoch walked and to enjoy 'friendship with Jesus, fellowship divine'; 'blessed, sweet communion', knowing that Jesus is indeed his very Best Friend.
#5 WALKS IN THE TRUTH
'...I have walked in Thy Truth.'
Psalm 26:3
A TRUE CHRISTIAN loves the Truth, embraces the TRUTH, and regulates his life by the TRUTH. All liars will have their place in the lake of fire. The true Christian makes it the ruling principle in his conduct and governs his entire life by truth. How can he do this if he does not know what scripture says? Therefore, he has an insatiable desire to know the TRUTH. He seeks it as one would seek for silver and searches it as for hidden treasures(Proverbs 2:4).
#6 SEPARATES HIMSELF FROM THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY
'I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evildoers; and will not sit with the wicked.'
Psalm 26:5
The 'vain persons' whom David talked about were those who were false and hollow; those who had no sincerity of character; those who were hypocrites and pretenders. The 'dissemblers' were those whose purposes, designs, and intentions as well as their true character were hidden from others. The 'congregation of evildoers' and the 'wicked' were those who gathered together to sin, plan wickedness, and oppose God and His Holy Principles outlined in the Scriptures. A TRUE CHRISTIAN does not associate with such kind. He does not make them his companions and friends.
#7 KEEPS HIMSELF PURE AND UNDEFILED
'I will wash mine hands in innocency...'
Psalm 26:6
'Washing hands' was an emblem of purity. 'Washing hands in innocency' was also another way of emphasizing cleanness and purity. A TRUE CHRISTIAN has an insatiable desire to worship God from a pure and clean heart. Therefore, he makes it the rule of his life to avoid ALL SIN and to keep himself from being defiled by its mark. He keeps his heart with all diligence, lest at any time SIN should enter in and render him unfit in the worship and service of His God.
#8 LIVES A LIFE OF SACRIFICE AND CONSECRATION
'...so will I compass thine altar, O LORD.'
Psalm 26:6
A TRUE CHRISTIAN is fully aware that his life is a 'LIVING SACRIFICE' unto the Lord (Romans 12:1). Therefore, he is always mindful of the concept of the ALTAR of Sacrifice and Consecration in his life. He compasses God's altar. In other words, he embraces the fact of the ALTAR in his life. He is ever mindful that at all times and in every place, his will is to be sacrificed on the Altar of God whereby he constantly affirms to God - 'NOT MY WILL, BUT THINE BE DONE.' He lives his life, knowing that it is no longer his own. He is 'crucified with Christ.' He no longer lives for himself, pleasing himself or others, or following his own agenda, but he lives unto the Lord Who died for him. Christ lives His life through Him. Christ fulfills His will through Him. Christ directs and orders his every step. He follows Christ and Christ alone. He denies himself, takes up his cross daily, and serves the Lord Jesus. His life is continuously and constantly offered unto God as a BURNT OFFERING, whereby the Lord Jesus is always increasing, and he is constantly decreasing
(John 3:30).
# 9 WITNESSES UNTO OTHERS OF THE GREATNESS OF HIS GOD
'That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Thy wondrous works.'
Psalm 26:7
A TRUE CHRISTIAN wants others to know His God and Christ. He has seen the Lord - high and lifted up - and he desires others to know about Him. He is a Praiser in public places. He is definitely not one who hides his Light under a bushel. No way! He is bold and outspoken about the greatness and goodness of his God. He places his Light on a candlestick for all to see. He wants all to notice his good works which emanate from his relationship with the Lord Jesus so that they will glorify God the Father Who is in heaven.
#10 LOVES GOD'S DWELLING PLACES
'LORD, I have loved the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thine honour dwelleth.'
Psalm 26:8
A TRUE CHRISTIAN loves to be where God is. He loves those special places where God is pleased to manifest His Shekinah Glory among men - whether this be a church building, a prayer room, a living room, a garage, or a warehouse. He loves those places where God shows up and manifests His Mighty Glory and Awesome Presence among his consecrated people. He will lay aside all other plans just to go to a place where God is honored and adored. Distance is no factor either. He will drive or walk many, many miles, if need be, to be in that place where God is exalted and truly worshipped in Spirit and in Truth.
#11 Keeps His commands/Precepts
1John 2:3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
A True Christian is keeping close to heart and walk all that the Lord has given. They do not walk unto their own desires and beliefs as to what is good, but seek that which is of the Lord. True Christians cannot stand against Truth, but only for Truth. 2Corinthians 13:8For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
Can we definitely know if we or someone is a TRUE CHRISTIAN?
The Lord Jesus told us that we can. 'YE SHALL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUITS'
(Matthew 7:16).
In Psalm 26 as well as 1John the Lord gave us some criteria for judgment in determining who is and who is not a Christian. Every one who claims to know the Lord will have these attributes in their lives as designated by the word of God, because they have been born again. How about you, are you a True Christian?
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