FOCUS ON THE SCRIPTURES
June 05, 1999
Revised: June 03, 2002, January 01, 2003 & April 04, 2003
The Marks of a Christian
Christians are those who are in Christ and Christ is in them.
Having heard the Gospel of Christ, they repented and believed the Gospel. Having placed their trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord, and their confidence in Him for Salvation, they were baptized into Christ, and they were admitted, at once, into the Christian fellowship of believers. In Christ, they are known as Christians. They are walking in the teachings of Christ and are holding fast this faith. The word of Christ is dwelling in them richly. They have embarked on a spiritual journey that is to last for ever, an eternal journey. Christians experience the absolute best of all in this life "the abundant life," and the best of all in life for ever in eternity. Christians, confidently and expectantly, look forward to a home forever, in eternal peace, joy and happiness, together with all of those redeemed; and with the Redeemer, Jesus Christ; and with the Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient God, the Father; and with the multitude of the Heavenly Host.
What is there about Christians that sets them apart from all other persons? For the answer to this question, we must look to the inspired teachings of the New Testament as recorded in the original language that was in common use at the time they were originally written.
The New Testament, the source book, does reveal that Christians, who have abandoned their former way of living, have discovered a new way of living in Christ Jesus. Their Christian behavior is impacting the lives of others that they come in contact with, yet the key to their Christian behavior is to be found in their relationship to Jesus Christ, not in their interpersonal relationship with others. Christians have put off the old self and have become new creatures in Christ Jesus - a whole new way of living. "In reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth" (Ephesians 4:22-24 NASB).
"If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:1-3 NASB).
The relationship that Christians have with Jesus Christ is very evident in their relations with others; as husbands or wives, as parents or children, and as employees or employers. The Marks of a Christian are actually to be seen in their actions and their deeds and their words, all of which result from the thoughts of a mind set on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth. "For those who are according to the flesh, set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him" (Romans 8:5-9 NASB). Serious matter? You bet your eternal life it is.
We have seen those, who once walked and lived in impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, put them all aside. Risen with Christ, the Spirit of Christ is now in them. Seeking the things above, they have laid aside their old self with all of its evil practices including but not limited to stealing, lying, anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech. In Christ they have put on the new self with a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with others and forgiving them. Their value system is changed and it affects everything they do. The Apostle Paul made it very clear that Christians are not those who harbor and control debilitating, evil, sinful and harmful practices in this passage from Ephesians: "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice" (Ephesians 4:31 NASB).
Satan is the oldest liar in the records of eternity
, and his influence is seen everywhere this subject is written about, discussed and treated. Many have been and are under the influence of Satan's erroneous views and principles, regarding bitterness and wrath and anger and slander, without perceiving, designing or intending it. Christians do not harbor and control these debilitating, evil, sinful and harmful practices, and then allow them to surface in their lives for certain circumstances that Satan says are proper and right. How can they, seeing that they have put off the old man with all of these evil practices?
"If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come, and in them you once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him, a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all" (Colossians 3:1-11 NASB).
The Spirit of Christ is resident in the lives of Christians
and they have put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him, and they are always rejecting every appearance of evil as having any place whatsoever in their lives. They chose to remove these evil practices and replace them with the fruits of the resident Spirit of Christ: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. They have put on love, and the peace of Christ rules in their hearts. The evidence is now in their daily lives: The Marks of a Christian.
Having put on love, and with the peace of Christ ruling in their hearts, those who display The Marks of a Christian are no longer bitter, angry, and vengeful. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:1-2 NASB). They are not among those who just say they are Christian and then live like the devil. They are, in fact, and truth, Christian as evidenced by the choices they make in their whole new way of living. Because of the resident Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, they no longer live just like the rest of the world does in anger, wrath, bitterness, and unforgiveness. They no longer require that others should squirm and crawl and ask them for forgiveness before they can forgive. They have heard and believe and practice the teachings of Christ.
Jesus said: "You have heard that the ancients were told, you shall not commit murder and whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court. But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court: --If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way, first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering" (Matthew 5:21-24 NASB). Jesus said: "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions" (Mark 11:25 NASB). Jesus said: "When you pray, say -- And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us" (Luke 11:4 NASB). Jesus said: "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27-28 NASB). Jesus said: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy" (Matthew 5:7 NASB). Jesus said: "For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your father will not forgive your transgressions" (Matthew 6:14-15 NASB). Those who routinely practice the teachings of Jesus and obey His commandments are Christians, and the evidence is seen in their daily lives. A Christian’s relation with God is reflected in his relation with others: -- The Marks of a Christian.
"The one who says, I have come to know Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him; but whoso keeps His word, in him the love of God is perfected. By this we know that we are in Him" (1 John 2:4-5 NASB). "Not a new commandment, but the one which we have heard from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it. For many deceivers have gone out into the world" (2 John: 5-7 NASB). Love and Forgiveness are important marks of a Christian. Love forgives. Love overlooks. Love reaches out. It is because of love that Christians, following the teachings of Jesus, forgive. They choose to love and forgive even those who steal from them, or lie to them, or injure them in any way, even seriously, or break their heart, or do or say all manner of evil things about them. Love is tested and forgiveness is love tested. It has been said that, Christians reach out in love and forgiveness to hurting people whose lives are full of turmoil, pain, and frustration. They are hurtful because they are full of hurt. In following the teachings of Christ, love and forgiveness sets people free of such awful bondage. Love and forgiveness sets Christians free to help others and if the one being helped accepts the love and forgiveness, love and forgiveness sets them free. They are released from the bondage and given the opportunity to be loving and forgiving.
Sadly, we are living in an age when people are pretending Christianity. They pretend to be loving, caring, compassionate, kind, humble, gentle and patient, while at the same time they are bitter, angry, vengeful, and unforgiving. They could say no, but they let their bodies become the instruments of sin. They could say no, but they let their tongues say evil and abusive things. They could say no, but they let their minds, eyes, ears, hands, legs and feet be used for evil purposes. "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envyings, drunkenness, carousings, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB).
"You will know them by their fruits." said Jesus, "Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16-20 NASB). "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passion and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-25 NASB). Good fruit -- The Marks of a Christian.
"Then Peter came and said to Him, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times? Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven" (Matthew 18:21-22 NASB). And Luke records: "And He said to His disciples, It is inevitable that stumbling blocks should come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him: and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying I repent, forgive him" (Luke: 17-14 NASB). Notice that the passage in Luke differs from that in Matthew. Luke’s account is regarding repentance following a rebuke. Notice also that the expression in the passage in Luke saying I repent is not the same as the expression I repent. A forgiving spirit in all circumstances has replaced the spirit of unforgiveness in the life of the Christian.
The Greek verb aphiemi translated forgive in Matthew 6:14-15; Matthew 18:21; Mark 11:25-25; Luke 11:4; and Luke 17:3-4; means primarily, according to Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon: "to send from one’s self. 1. To send away; a. to bid go away or depart; b. to send forth, yield up, emit, forgive; c. to let go , let alone, let be; d. to let go, give up, keep no longer." Forgiveness, as here used, is the way Christians are to respond, in their own heart, to the injustices of others and it plays a vital role in their whole new way of living. In aphiemi, forgiving others, Christians are freeing themselves from the exceedingly harmful effects of holding grudges, resentment, bitterness, malice and ill-will towards others. Christians know full well that enmity lies in the heart; it is deep and malignant and if allowed to remain will spread. By following the teachings of Christ in aphiemi forgiving others, they send it away from one’s own self. They put off the old self and they experience the joy and peace that comes from walking in their new life. -- The Marks of a Christian.
Christians cannot and do not act for God in absolving others of their guilt or responsibilities for their behavior. However, those who, in anger or in pain, withhold love and forgiveness and make forgiveness dependent upon another's repentance set themselves up as the victim, not just once but twice. Reconciliation is one thing, and love and forgiveness quite another. Reconciliation is two parties coming together in mutual respect, and it takes both parties, but love and forgiveness is one persons moral response to another's injustice and it takes only one to love and forgive. Christians, who bear no ill-will towards others are forgiving of others not based on their judgment of the actions or behavior of others, whatever their actions or behavior may be, but because they follow the teachings of Christ, and because of the Spirit of Christ, resident in their own lives.
In loving and forgiving others, Christians walk with God
and receive fully God's divine gift of forgiveness which brings inner healing and according to recent medical studies substantial improvements in physical health and well-being. The health benefits of forgiveness are enormous. This is clearly shown in a number of recent scientific studies concerning the biochemical correlates of emotions. It has now been established that information is flowing throughout our bodies; -- molecules are being released and they are diffusing all over the body; and the molecules are tickling the receptors that are on the surface of the cells. The scientific community has developed ways to measure these receptors, which are described as similar to satellite dishes, millions of them all over one cell. The cells are being told whether they should divide or not to divide, whether they should make more of this protein or that protein, whether they should turn on this gene or that gene. The health benefits of forgiveness are now medically and scientifically established. Forgiveness frees one from the incredibly toxic and debilitating drain of holding grudges.
To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you. Jesus said: "and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32 NASB).
Reference is here made to these ongoing research projects because of the medically proven and scientifically demonstrated health benefits of sincere Christian love and forgiveness.
Regarding the ongoing forgiveness research at the University Of Wisconsin, a noted psychiatrist recently said that the research may be as important to the treatment of emotional and mental disorders as the discovery of sulfa drugs and penicillin were to the treatment of infectious diseases. Their conclusion is that the forgiver discovers the paradox of forgiveness: as we give to others the gifts of mercy, generosity and moral love, we ourselves are healed.
Consider the relation between the healing of paralysis and forgiveness of sins in this event in the life of Christ: "And behold, some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in, and to set him down in front of Him. And not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, right in the center, in front of Jesus. And seeing their faith, He said, Friend, your sins are forgiven you. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, Your sins have been forgiven you, or to say, Rise and walk? But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, He said to the paralytic, I say to you, rise, and take up your stretcher and go home. And at once he rose up before them, and took up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God" (Luke 5:18-25 NASB).
There are those who believe that if one has a health problem, they also have a forgiveness problem. They hold that health cannot be accepted by a body that is filled with the poisons generated by unforgiveness. Current medical research is supporting these conclusions. Can certain illnesses be healed while one continues to remain in bitterness, resentment, anger, condemnation, and the desire to get even or to see someone punished or hurt? These are questions that current research is focused on. There is considerable scientific evidence that when the act of forgiveness dissolves the negative attitudes and memories that are lodged in the conscious and sub-conscience mind, many health problems, including cancers, fade away. Is this the miracle of forgiveness? Love and forgiveness are The Marks of a Christian.
It was Mahatma Ghandhi who said: "If we practice an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, soon the whole world will be blind and toothless. The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong." Henry Ward Beecher said: "I can forgive, but I cannot forget, is only another way of saying, I will not forgive. Forgiveness ought to be like a canceled note - torn in two, and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one." C. H. Spurgeon said: "You forgive me, and I forgive you, and we forgive them, and they forgive us, and so a circle of unlimited forbearance and love goes around the world."
Jesus said: "And do not pass judgment and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned" (Luke 6:3-7 NASB). The Greek word picture in Luke 6:3-7, apoluo is translated pardon in the NASB, and forgive in the KJV; and it means, according to Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon: "to loose from, sever by loosening, undo; 1. to set free. 2. to let go, dismiss. 3. to let go free, to release."
Jesus said: "You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:38-45 NASB).
The Apostle Paul said: "Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not. -- Never pay back evil for evil to anyone, Respect what is right in the sight of all men" (Romans 12:14, 17-18 NASB).
The emphasis of the sincere and true Christian is always on his own behavior and not the behavior of others. He is putting away his own desire for vengeance, justice or whatever one may call it, and replacing it with love and forgiveness. Forgiveness is a choice and the Christian chooses the peace of mind and heart that surpasses comprehension over the toxic effects of the remembrances of anger, and resentment. He has been taught to be careful not to venture into the territory reserved exclusively to God. "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord" (Romans 12:19).
Christians understand well that others, for their own reasons, do what they do, for good or for bad, and as Christians they are to choose how to respond in a spirit of love. They know well that responding to injustice with love and forgiveness does not mean cooperation, approval, or complicity. In addition to following His clear teachings, in their mind's eye they see Jesus, as their example, loving and forgiving, even while being humiliated, tortured and beaten, without cause, and nailed to the cross. "And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34 NASB). We have in His example the supreme test of love and forgiveness - love being tested. Jesus practiced what He preached.
Jesus said: "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." Jesus is seen reaching out to the people who are mistreating Him. He is seen reaching out to those who are saying all manner of evil against Him and He is seen reaching out to those who are crucifying Him. These people were full, to the uttermost, of sin. Their behavior was evil and they were hurting because they were full of hurt. Satan was in control of them and they did not know what they were doing. In loving and forgiving, Jesus walked with God.
And so it is, we can see that in loving and forgiving, sincere and true Christians are those who choose to follow the teachings and example of Christ. Christians are not to react in vengeance when mistreated; they are not to be bitter, angry, unforgiving and carrying grudges, regardless of what so and so said or did. It has been said: "that God alone claims the right to vengeance because he alone can work it without injury to all concerned."
"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:31-32 NASB). The Greek word picture charidzomenoi from charidzomai is translated forgive in Ephesians 4:32, and its meaning according to Liddell and Scott’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament is: "to shew favour or kindness. To oblige or gratify a person, -- to be pleasing or agreeable, court favour." And according to Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon: "to do something pleasant or agreeable [to one], to do a favor, to gratify." Love and Forgiveness, are indeed, The Marks of a Christian.
"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:9-11 NASB). "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality" (Romans 12:9-13 NASB). In both of these passages, the Apostle Paul mentions love that is sincere. This love is genuine, not phony, not hypocritical. The word picture of the original language, agape, translated love, "is not a principle of mutual indulgence; in the gospel it is a moral principle," as referred to in The Expositor's Greek Testament which also says: "It is intensely and characteristically Christian. Love is undissembled, it is the unaffected Christian grace, when it shrinks, as with a physical horror, from that which is evil, and cleaves to that which is good."
Some fall into the habit of pretending love, using loving expressions and gestures. The love referred to here is a genuine and sincere Christian love. It is seen in the lives of those who have the Spirit of Christ: "because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Romans 5:5 NASB). "But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith" (1 Timothy 1:5 NASB). "Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8 NASB).
"A new commandment I give to you", said Jesus, "that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35 NASB). The agape love of God, referred to in these scripture passages, is to be demonstrated in the behavior of Christians in their daily walk. The Marks of a Christian.
True agape love is always rejecting evil. Christ, the perfect example of agape love, never condoned evil.
Hypocritical love that pretends to be Christian does the opposite. Alford's Greek Testament says: "our love should arise from a genuine cleaving to that which is good, and aversion from evil."
Many have been turned off to Christianity and the Church because of Christian pretenders. They have been turned off by counterfeit Christians practicing bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking and all malice, instead of kindness, tender-heartedness and gracious and freely forgiving others. When others see professing Christians rejecting others, unforgiving others, even with prejudice, contempt and disdain for others, unwilling to be guided by truth, they are often turned off. They have heard the proclamation of the great message of the New Testament about truth, and love, and forgiveness, and peace, and joy, and they expect these genuine qualities to be exhibited in the lives of those professing to be Christian. "Cling to what is good," is the message of the word of God.
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love"
(Romans 12:10 NASB). The word picture of the original language translated brotherly love is philadelphia, not agape. Philos another Greek word for love, is combined with adelphos the Greek word for brother. This is the reason that we refer to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as the city of brotherly love, because that is the meaning of the word in the original language. The word picture philostorgoi, translated be devoted, according to Alford's Greek Testament is "properly of love of near relations; agreeing therefore exactly with philadelphia." The Expositor's Greek Testament says: "in point of brotherly love, i.e., your love to each other as children of God. -- adelphos in the apostolic writings does not mean fellow-man, but fellow-Christian; and philadelphia is the mutual affection of the members of the Christian community." This love gives preference to one another in honor. The word picture proegoumenoi, translated give preference, according to Vincent's Word Studies In The New Testament is "to go before as a guide. Honor is the honor due from each to all. Hence, leading the way in showing the honor that is due." Be willing to let others have the credit.
It has been said that there is no limit to the good that a man can do, if he doesn't care who gets the credit. Christians are happy that the good deeds are done; and they are anxious to give preference to one another in honor. They know that God deserves the credit. Counterfeit Christians are anxious to be acknowledged and promoted and recognized. "You shall know them by their fruits" is the teaching of Christ. The Marks of a Christian.
True Christian love is not lagging behind in diligence. "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality" (Colossians 3:23-25 NASB).
Regarding the expression lagging behind in diligence, The Expositor's Greek Testament says: "It denotes the moral earnestness with which one should give himself to his vocation. In this Christians are not to be backward." Christian love is to be fervent in Spirit, the spiritual temperature is to be high in the Christian community. "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord," is one translation. An abundant life of vitality and excitement, is manifest in the Christian life, in serving the Lord. It is in the service of Jesus Christ that we see the Marks of a Christian.
Christians, walking in the Spirit, are enthusiastic and always rejoicing; rejoicing in hope
; the hope in which they are to rejoice is that of Christians. The word picture of the original language elpis, translated hope, is according to Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon "always in the New Testament in a good sense: expectation of good." So, hope is not wishful thinking but confident expectation, and here it is rejoicing in expectation. "For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for that he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it" (Romans 8:24-25 NASB).
"Rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulations, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality" (Romans 12:12-13 NASB). Persevering in tribulation:
this virtue very soon became a mark of Christians.
"Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving" (Colossians 4:2 NASB). Christians are to be devoted to prayer: The Expositor's Greek Testament says: "The strong word suggests not only the constancy with which they are to pray, but the effort that is needed to maintain a habit so much above nature." "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7 NASB). It has been said that "God has a thousand and one different ways of working things out, ways that we can never imagine. God knows what He is doing and He is able to work it out."
A Christian understands the importance of contributing to the needs of the saints.
According to Vincent's Word Studies In The New Testament.: "The meaning is sharing in the necessities, taking part in them as one's own." Even with the many government programs in our day; welfare, unemployment insurance, Medicare and Social Security, there are still human needs that are not covered and that Christians have a responsibility to meet. Some are faced with enormous hospital and medical expenses, without adequate health insurance. All sorts of needs arise and Christians are always willing to contribute to the needs of the saints. Regarding the expression practicing hospitality, The Expositor' s Greek Testament says: "it is a form of charity much needed by traveling, exiled or persecuted Christians." Christians, devoted to the teachings of Christ, can be counted on in the matter of practicing hospitality. "Then the King will say to those on His right, Come, you are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. Then the righteous will answer Him saying, Lord when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked and clothe You? And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? And the King will answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me" (Matthew 25:34-40 NASB).
The Marks of a Christian are all of the wonderful effects of the relationship that Christians have with Jesus Christ and evidenced in their daily walk with Him and with others.
Kindness, tender-heartedness, and graciously and freely forgiving others as taught in Ephesians 4:32 are very important Marks of a Christian.
This kind of living produces an abundant life of peaceful vitality and excitement; of trust; expectant hope and confidence; of well-being; fulfillment, and fullness of life. This kind of living produces a life of kindness, friendliness, love and forgiveness. This kind of living produces the inner calm, a quiet spirit of security and assurance. And this kind of living produces the peace that is beyond comprehension. This is the promise of Jesus when He said: "I came that they might have life, and have it more abundantly" (John 10:10 NASB). Luke 2:13-14 NASB: "And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." How can it be any plainer than that?
The Marks of a Christian
are clearly seen in the lives of those who are sincerely following the teachings of Jesus Christ.
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things" (Philippians 4:8 NASB).
Let us continue to encourage one another in truth and in love, and all the more as we see the day drawing near.
James S. Davis
E-mail: jamesdavis@focusonthescriptures.com
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