So, You Think You are a Christian?
The ruler of this world holds the title “father of lies” (Jn 8:44). His children share his nature; hence, people bear false witness to one another. In addition, each person is prone to lie to his own self. Simply put, we live immersed in a world of lies.
Our primary concern here is those people who imagine themselves to be Christians, but who are deceived about this being their status. First, there is the man who grew up in a Christian home and who attended worship services as a child. Second, there is the woman who claims to be a Christian but who rarely, if ever, attends worship services. Third, there is the man or woman who diligently serves, gives money, and attends every possible gathering, but who has no assurance of right standing before Almighty God.
Man looks at the outward appearance but God searches the heart. What must be present within a person in order to validate that person’s confession of Jesus Christ as Lord. It behooves the reader to examine himself, to see if he is in the faith. So, what are the marks of an authentic Christian?
First, there has been a notable change in the soul (heart and mind). One’s attitude toward God has radically changed from one of enmity, to one of love for God. The reader must be warned that many say they love God, but they actually love themselves in a personal quest to become a god or goddess.
It is true that Christians love God and others only because God first loved us (1 Jn 4:19). Agape love is the manifestation of God’s love at work within the believer in Jesus. Christ’s love compels us, spurs us on to walk in a manner worthy of our calling to be children of God. Good works were prepared by God beforehand for each Christian to perform (Eph 2:10). One must be led by the Holy Spirit to do those works.
A Christian, in submission to the Lord Jesus Christ, must be born again of God’s Spirit (Jn 3:1–8; 1 Pet 1:3). Regeneration of a person’s soul is an act of God, performed by the will of God. He makes the soul alive and repositions the man or woman “in Christ.” This new identification comes with a new occupation. The Holy Spirit takes up permanent residence in the heart, mind, and will of God’s elect, redeemed people.
Christian faith has Jesus Christ as its object. The believer now positioned in Jesus, following the new birth, sets his eyes upon Jesus who is the Author of one’s faith (Heb 12:2). Faith is not self-generated. Rather, it is a gift of God that is received by the person who is now indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9, 11; Eph 2:8–9). In short, he who has the Spirit believes, but he who does not have the gift of the Spirit does not believe.
It is God’s prerogative to save whom He wills to save (Rom 9:15–16). It is a radical transformation when God gives life to a person who is spiritually dead in his trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1). It is literally life from the dead. That is radical.
It is impossible for one dwelt by God’s Spirit to be ignorant of this new occupant. It is sweet and intimate communion like no other. Union with Christ is a vital personal relationship that now defines the Christian and produces good works.
The first good work is a conforming of the new believer into the image of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sanctification by God’s Spirit and His Word is producing holiness (Jn 17:17). Being set apart by God, to God, and for God becomes evident in the one now bearing witness of Jesus Christ, who has begun these good works that concern each adopted child of God (Rom 8:15, 23).
In examining yourself, to have assurance of faith, the above changes must be recognizable. Has God moved into your soul? Is your mind, heart, and will now desiring to please God with every thought, word, and action? Are you quick to confess your sins to God the Father?
My dear reader, do not be deceived by yourself or another. You must examine yourself regarding your status before Almighty God. If you are trusting in yourself or your works to position you aright before God, you are mistaken.
A soul only becomes Christian by the extension of God’s grace, whereby the orphan is adopted as a child of God. It is God who makes one to be a Christian — not we ourselves. Only the true Christian will ascribe credit to God for transferring and transforming the rebel sinner into a saint.
For this reason, the true believer appears almost obsessed with Jesus Christ. It is because he or she is actually possessed by the Spirit of Christ (Rom 8:9, 11). It is the Spirit drawing our focus to Jesus Christ, who draws our focus to God the Father. To know God, we must know Christ, and it is the Spirit who is our Teacher. It is the true Christian who heeds the invitation, “Come, and learn of Me.”
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
June 27, 2023
