Testing Christians
Dateline: December 08, 1999
"TESTING CHRISTIANS" > Page 1 , 2 , 3
Standards
Well, it is possible to do tell the True Christian from the False Prophets with a little help from a very unexpected source: Jesus. If there is going to be any model or standard by which we hope to judge alleged Christians, only Jesus is going to give it to us. Either Christianity is True, or it is not. If it is not, then we don't need to seriously consider it from any self-proclaimed Christian. If it is True, then the only way to sift through all the different denominations and doctrines is to look to the supposed founder himself. Thus, we test the people who come to us.
Be sure to appraise the alleged Christian: do they appear serious? If you are able to look at them physically, make a point of examining their clothing: is it nice? expensive, perhaps? Don't be too obvious in your fact-gathering - it would be unwise to scare them away too quickly. Most people don't like pop quizzes, after all.
Christian beliefs tend to be very emotional, so don't hide from the testee just where you stand. Be open about you skepticism and tell them that you don't want to be duped, that you are only willing to talk to a true Christian. None other than a true Christian will do for you. If they aren't able to accept such an perspective, then you know that you really needn't go any farther. A True Christian, after all, will not only appreciate this position but indeed share it with you.
So go ahead ask our testee outright if they are a Christian. Do they love Jesus? Is Jesus their Personal Lord and Savior? If you get positive responses, then you're off to a great start.
Ask them just how much they love Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit. Are they Spirit filled? Do they display any of the fruits, love, joy, peace, happiness, etc. of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:22-25:
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.
If so, then you know that things are going very well indeed.
Next we have to verify that they believe the Bible. Without this we won't have any fun and we certainly aren't speaking to a True Christian. Do they believe that it is the Word of God? Is it infallible? Is the Bible as appropriate for today as it was two thousand years ago? If the answer to all of those queries is yes, then it is time to proceed on to the actual test.
Moral Absolutes
Our ultimate goal here is to confront the alleged Christian with moral absolutes and performance tests. If they succeed, then they will have demonstrated that they are True Christians in every sense of the word. If they fail, then it is probably not worth hearing the Christian message from them. After all, if they don't bother to follow their own rules, they hardly qualify as decent models for the value of the system. If Christianity is True, you are better off waiting for a True Christian to learn from.
As already described, Jesus is recorded as having made it quite clear that there would be people claiming to preach for Christ but who had nothing whatsoever to do with him. Luckily for us, Jesus also provided clear tests for us to make sure about whom we are dealing with. Jesus did not lay down a lot of specific demands for his followers, but those he did mention can be readily used. For example:
But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Matt. 5:39-42
Give to everyone that asketh thee; and from him that taketh away thy goods ask not again Luke 6:30
If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, and do them good, and lend never despairing; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be Sons of the Most High: for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. Luke 6:34-35
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