"The Marks Of The True Christian"

I submit to you, fellow Christ-followers, that the evidences in the life of a believer that he is expectant that the Lord will soon return as promised, is that his faith will be demonstrated in work, that is in activity and lifestyle consistent with that expectation, and his love will be shown in faithful and dedicated labor among the brethren and in the ministration of the Gospel, and he will exude a steadfastness of hope in the promise of Christ, even in the midst , perhaps more so in the midst, of tribulation, trial, even persecution.

Now I want to say just a few words about the last phrase of verse 10, so before we go there let me just run down the list of the marks of a true Christian that are given to us in verses 3 ¡V 9, remembering that I’m putting before you today these two foundational marks upon which the others are built; a turning to God from idolatry (paganism), and a joyful watchfulness for Christ’s coming.

Here is the list.

Verse 3a, Working faith

Verse 3b, Laboring love

Verse 3c, Enduring hope

Now number 4, found in verse 5, is really the first thing that marks the believer, but it’s in verse 5 so we come to it now: reception of the Gospel. That’s just a given. Just let me remind you at this juncture that while we know that God chooses us for salvation, we are held accountable for our reception of the Good News when it comes to us. Those who reject the Good News will also be held accountable, to their destruction.

The next mark is a desire to emulate the Lord , to be like Jesus. That’s in verse 6a.

In 6b we find the joyful endurance of tribulation. Not just a muddling through with shoulders hunched and a hangdog look on our face. No. What marks the true believer and sets him apart from all others is his confidence that no matter what comes he is safely in the palm of the omnipotent, omniscient God, and all His promises are true and sure. This is what brings joy from way deep inside, and a peace and contentment that can be seen by others.

The next mark is exemplary behavior. "so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.¨

Christian, your life is supposed to be an example to other believers. A mark of the true Christ-follower is that others who are also Christ-followers will see by your life example that Jesus is Lord in your life.

Now I make this distinction. Unbelievers are not qualified to judge whether your life testifies of Christ. Sure, they can see if you’re a hypocrite; but they often misunderstand our actions and our expressions, and since they don’t know the Scriptures they have no accurate information to gauge by. Therefore their assessment of a Christian is way off base.

But Paul commends them for being a good example for other believers because their behavior has both inspired and instructed the brethren.

Finally, in verse 8 to 9a, we find the faithful proclamation of the Word of God.

Not all Christians are called to preach, but all Christians are certainly called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.