What Are the Marks of a True Christian?
In this episode, I talk about the marks of a true Christian as outlined by Paul in his letter to believers in Corinth. Many people think that being a Christian means that we are to be nice people. But Jesus didn't die for us so we could be nice people, He died so we could be reconciled to God and become real people; true humans just as God originally intended.
Many Old and New Testament passages show us God's complete character as being kind and severe, which allows us to more fully understand who He expects us to be, as we are made in His image.
If we have a sanitised version of the Lord in our minds, we will often falter in speaking the truth and instead become people-pleasers rather than God-fearers.
"Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off." Romans 11:22
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
BIBLE VERSES
Luke 14:23 (Highways & Hedges); Matthew 5:3-12 (Meek, Poor, Seekers); Luke 5:32 (Came for Sinners not Righteous); John 18:37 (Come to bear witness to Truth); Isaiah 28:26 (God has taught them); Luke 24:27-32 (Road to Emmaus teaching); John 16:13 (Holy Spirit leads us to Truth); Luke 2:41-52 (Jesus in Temple at Passover); Ephesians 5:25 (God’s word cleansing); John 15:3 & 17:17 (God’s word purifies us); Psalm 119:9 (Pure Life by following God’s word); Psalm 18:30 (God’s way is perfect); Hebrews 5:11-14 (You ought to be teachers); Genesis 3:1-7 (Serpent’s temptation); Romans 12:1-21 (Marks of a True Christian); 1 Corinthians 12:28-31 (Spiritual Gifts); Psalm 15 (A vile person is despised); Psalm 139:19-22 (I hate those who hate you); John 2:13-17 (Jesus whip in Temple); John 1:14 (Jesus/Word Became Flesh); Ephesians 1:15-19 (Jesus Image of God); Hebrews 1:3 (Jesus exact imprint of God’s nature); Jude 1:5 (Jesus saved Israelites out of Egypt); John 10:31 (I and Father are One); John 17:11 (We are one); 2 Corinthians 13:14 (Father, Son, Holy Spirit); Psalm 50 (The Wicked); Psalm 18 (God’s wrath and mercy); Psalm 143 (Despair and Faith); Genesis 16:13-14 (Hagar Seen by God); Matthew 5:27-30 (Tear out your eye); Matthew 11:20-24 (Woe to Unrepentant cities); Matthew 11:25-30 (My yoke is easy); Isaiah 46:4 (I will bear); John 15:20 (They will persecute you); 1 Peter 2:21 (Christ calls you to suffer); Matthew 5:11-12 (Blessed are the reviled); Luke 9:23 (Pick up your cross, day); Exodus 3:12 (I will be with Moses); Joshua 1:5 (I will be with Joshua); Deuteronomy 31:8 (I will be with my people) Isaiah 41:9-10 (I am with you, Israel); Matthew 28:20 (I will be with you till the end); 1 Peter 1:7 (Faith purified through trials); Hebrews 9:14 (Jesus’ sacrifice purifies us); Isaiah 48:10 (Purified by trials); Hebrews 3:6 & 3:14 (Hold fast to faith); Proverbs 12:22 (God wants trustworthy people); Proverbs 6:16-19 (What the Lord hates); 2 Corinthians 3:2-6 (Letter Kills, Spirit Gives Life); 1 Corinthians 4:9-13 (Apostles: Scum of World); 2 Corinthians 4:8-15 (Suffering for message of Resurrection); James 2:14-26 (Faith without works is dead); 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 (Paul vs super-apostles); 2 Corinthians 6:4-13 (Suffering of apostles); 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (Grace is Sufficient); Philippians 2:1-17 (God works in and through us); John 15:5 (Apart from Me you can do nothing); Luke 22:42 (Not my will, your will be done); Psalm 27:14, Isaiah 40:31, Lamentations 3:25, Isaiah 30:18, Psalm 33:20-22 (Wait on the Lord); Psalms 98:3, 100:5 138:2 (God’s love and Faithfulness); Isaiah 42:8 (God won’t tolerate Idols); Romans 11:22 (Kindness and Severity for God).
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