Real Christians and Imposters - How to Know the Difference
Posted: Sunday, June 07, 2009
by Mark Parsec
Wordcasters
Recently an atheist asked me, " How do we decide who is a real Christian and who is not?" And to be quite honest, that is a very good question. For, as we look around us we see so many people claiming to be Christians that are indistinguishable from everybody else in the world. They lie, they steal, they cheat, and in every other way act out the behavior that we see in people who do not know Christ.
In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus identified a system by which we may know who is a real Christian and who is not when he said, 15 " Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them" (Matthew 7:15-20 - NKJV).
From the above passage, we may deduce that Jesus taught us that we would know those who are not true Christians by the type of fruits they produced in their lives. Those who are real Christians will produce good fruits, those who are impostors will produce bad fruits. But, the question remains, "What kind of fruit is good?"
To further help us understand who was a true follower of Jesus Christ, our Lord identified specific signs to look for that would provide clear evidence of who was truly a believer. In Mark 16:17-18 (NKJV) Jesus said, 17 " And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
The promise that Jesus made was that signs and wonders would follow those Christians whom truly believed in Him. He did not say signs and wonders "might" or "could" follow those who believe. He used the absolute... "will". "These signs will follow those who believe."
In the Book of Acts 1:8 Jesus made the promise that believers would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. We can assume that this "power" was the power to perform the signs which Jesus had promised earlier. We are also told in the Book of Acts that after the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon believers during Pentecost how persecution came against the church and despite this believers boldly preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ and many signs and wonders were manifested. Subsequently, the church exploded in growth and fellowship.
So, the church from the very beginning was distinguished by the fruit of believers, by signs and wonders, by the casting out of demons, speaking in new tongues, immunity from venomous snakes and deadly poisons, and the healing of those whom are sick.
But, that was 2,000 years ago!
So, I want to ask you today Where are the signs that follow true believers in the church today? What evidence do we have that distinguishes Christians from anyone else? Where are the casting out of demons and miraculous healings?
I want to tell you that the signs are all around us. So, let's take a look at the four signs that Jesus mentioned in Mark chapter 16 and see how they apply to the church today:
1. Casting out Demons
Today, in many Christian churches, we have individuals that have had demons cast out of them. It is true the demons of addiction, and anger, and violence, and jealousy have been cast out. The demons of depression, confusion, bitterness and resentment have been cast out. These are individuals who have recovered from seemingly hopeless conditions and set free from the influence of demonic forces because of their faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. Speak with New Tongues
Today, in many Christian churches, we have individuals that speak with new tongues. When I first came to Christ my mind was so damaged from a lifetime of alcohol and drug abuse that I could hardly put two sentences together. Other Christians have had similar problems. But since Jesus Christ has come into our lives he has allowed us to speak boldly about the Gospel. Those who once spoke curses now speak blessings, those who spoke hate now speak love, those who spoke anger now speak peace, those who once spoke of nothing other than themselves now speak about the needs of others. Those who were timid boldly share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
3. Immunity to Poisons
Today, I cannot think of many individuals that have experienced snakebites or poisonings. This in itself may be evidence of divine protection. Nevertheless, there are countless stories of Christians who have been in car accidents and left unscathed, Christians who have been shot at and left unharmed. The Word of God says no weapon formed against us shall prosper.
4. Miraculous Healings
When I first came to Christ I accompanied my pastor to a hospital where we visited a man that was in a coma. He had been inflicted with the deadly E-coli virus. He was hooked up to the life support equipment. I asked the nurse what his chances were of recovery and she said, "They are not good. If he makes it he will be a vegetable for the rest of his life." So, the pastor and I prayed for him and left the hospital.
The next day when the pastor and I returned the man was sitting up in his hospital bed. When he saw us his eyes grew as wide as silver dollars and he said, "I had a dream where I saw beings of light and YOU were there." The doctor that was treating the man provided a letter in which he stated "the patient's recovery had no medical explanation and that it was nothing short of miraculous." Those were mighty strong words coming from a doctor.
Now, many of you can probably attest to miracles, signs and wonders that you have witnessed in your own lives. Some of you may still be waiting to see miracles in your lives. But, if we are truly the people of Christ, if our faith is in accordance with the Word of God, if we really are REAL Christians, then the signs will follow. And when the signs follow the church explodes with growth.
If the Lord were to ask you today if your faith was real, what would you say? If the Lord were to ask you, what signs have been manifested in your life, what would you say?
How many of you want to be a people of signs and wonders?
But, there are some of us who feel we are not good enough or not smart enough for God to work a wonder in our life. Some of us feel that we are not pure enough or that we are not close enough to God for a miracle in our life. Some of us feel that we are too young or too old for God to perform signs and wonders in our life.
The Lord's response to those who believe such things is this, "Oh ye of little faith!" and "That which is impossible for man is not impossible with God."
A story is told of a woman who wanted to be of service to God. The woman, however, was not very educated, neither did she have many skills or talents. She was not a woman of extraordinary beauty, nor was she even plain looking. In fact, she was rather unattractive in appearance. Nevertheless, the woman decided that she would serve the Lord by doing the only thing she knew how to do So, she set out through the streets of the neighborhood near her church and would knock on doors. She did not bring tracks or Christian literature, no fliers or bulletins or even Bibles. She would simply knock on the door and when somebody would answer she would say, "Do you have a need for which I may pray." And believe it or not, time and time again the people would respond with their prayer requests, and so the woman would pray for them.
One day the woman knocked on a door and a man answered and she said, "Do you have a need for which I may pray?" And the man with tears in his eyes said, "Oh yes. My wife is in bed dying. The doctor says she will not make it through the night." And he fell to his knees, right there at the door with the woman and they prayed. His children were in the living room and when they heard and saw what was happening, they too fell to their knees and prayed.
The next day the man and his children showed up at the woman's church for Sunday worship. He reported that his wife was still alive. The following Sunday he showed up at the church again with his children, only this time his wife came with him. She had been healed from certain death. They became members of the church and attended on a regular basis.
There are many such stories of the things that happened when this simple woman choose to serve God by simply praying for people and the church grew and grew with people for whom she had prayed.
Signs and wonders miracles and healings.
You see, it is not about who we are it is about who God is. If we just allow ourselves to be available for his work, He will perform the signs and wonders. He will perform the miracles and healings.
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Good article Mark,Sounds like B.I.B.L.E. Basic instructions before leaving Earth. Although I hear these sermons often, I still need reminders.Love you,MichelleHi Michelle,I'm glad that even though you hear these sermons all the time... from me, that you still have time to read some more at SearchWarp.I Love You Too,Mark
Thanks Mark! A very insightful article. The title is very intriguing. You did a great job on it. Keep up all the good writing.blessings,AngieHi Angie!!!Good to hear from you again. You were one of the very first people I "met" at SearchWarp. Thank you for your kind comments. I hope all is going well with you and all that you are doing for the Kingdom.Bless you,Mark
Great message here! Thanks for uplifiting God....Thank you, JackieI trust that the Lord is blessing you.Mark
God is good all the time!Yes... He is!
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