Over the centuries many have called themselves Christians that are not.
Simply because someone calls themselves a Christian does not make themselves a Christian any more than someone dressed as a fireman makes them a real fireman.
There are many people out there, some even preaching from the pulpit or in the media that call themselves Christians but are by no means Christian Christians.
Here’s something to think about concerning true Christians,
A true Christian will obey the words of Jesus,
they will not judge,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged,
and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2
They will not judge others for any reason. I like what Tony Campolo said about this. He said,“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”
Tony Campolo
A True Christian will do to others as you would have others do to you.
Jesus saying,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,
for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12
A true Christian will love,Love both God and His neighbour,
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it:
‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Will, Love their enemy and pray for their persecutors,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good,
and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?
Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
Matthew 5:43-46
A true Christian will recognize that true love is as the Apostle Paul wrote,
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain:
faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13
A true Christian will even take into account the prayer of St Francis of Assisi making it the prayer of their heart.
"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."
The Prayer of St Francis of AssisiThink about it.
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