Marks of a True Christian

By David Cox

Summary: This post will look at the distinguishing marks of a true Christian, as per comments and teaching of Scripture. These marks are given by God to us so that we can discern those “tares” among us, and also so we can meditate on whether we are manifesting the marks of a true son of God.

Introduction

What are the marks of a true Christian? Why do I want to know? How do I use this information? First of all, each Christian should know these biblical marks of true Christianity because it is the criteria, or the basis by which we discern true Christianity from false Christianity. We can judge true doctrine and truth by these same criteria. Each can use this information is filtering (accepting or rejecting specific people, teachers, spiritual authorities, teachings, doctrines, practices, etc) what they come across as true or false. This also is a judge of our own actions and being, whether we are manifesting true Christianity or not.

A profound love and submission to truth.

2Thess 2:9 [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Thess 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Thess 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Thess 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

This passage of Scripture is extremely important. God allows error and Satan to “have his day of glory” with a divine purpose in sight. God’s permissiveness is so that Satan might draw all those to him who “believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness”, and who “received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”

Salvation is based in our heart’s disposition towards the truth. This truth is God’s truth, it is represented accurately in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible, which Jesus is also represented as “the Word of God” humanized and encapsulated in a human life for us to examine and adore. True salvation begins with a submission to God’s authority, and this is seen specifically in a submission to God’s truth.

He who loves not the truth, will follow the strong delusion, the lie of Satan. These are the only possible options. There are no other options at all.

Practically this character trait of a true Christian is seen by his disposition towards the God’s truth. A true Christian is subject to God’s truth (specifically the Bible), and he seeks to live his life following truth’s precepts and commands. This is also represented as “the Will of God the Father.”

–more to come–