by Andrew Smellie
“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” – James 2:19
According to a 2003 Harris Poll, 90% of all US adults believe in God. (Interestingly enough 93% of all women and 96% of all African Americans believe in God). Of those polled, 77% believe in the Virgin Birth and 80% believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Does that mean that 77%-80% of all Americans are saved? Are all “Christians” really disciples of Christ? “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch” (Acts 11:26c) Do all “Christians” really believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior of their lives, or is their “religion” a matter of convenience to assuage their guilt?
The above scripture in James teaches us that belief is more than a mental acknowledgement of the facts about God and his Son. Just because someone believes in God or believes in Jesus Christ does not make someone a true Christian. In the New Testament, a true “believer” is someone who is faithfully living a life where Jesus is Lord: a disciple of Christ, a true Christian according to Acts 11: 26c. Non-Christians are those who are not in Christ and do not live the life that Jesus expects us to live as His faithful disciples. As 1 John 2:6 states, “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” (emphasis added)
While God is the only one who has perfect knowledge of who is a disciple and who isn’t a disciple (2 Timothy 2:19), He expects every Christian to make evaluations to determine who is a true Christian. 1 Corinthians 5:12-13a states, “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.” So why is it important to identify a true Christian / disciple from a non-Christian / non-disciple? Let’s find out!
Why is it important to identify true Christians from non-Christians?
1. Our Mission—Christians need to know our mission target! If it is unclear, we will not be able to identify those who need help from those who don’t! Luke 19:10 states, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost.”
2. Our Relationships—Disciples need to know who to build deeper relationships with; including single believers seeking marital partners. 2 Corinthians 6:14 states, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.” 1 Corinthians 7:39b “…But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.”
3. Our Worship—Christians need to know where we should worship and who we should worship with. John 4:23-24 states, “…the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth…God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Ten ways to identify a true believer—a disciple of Christ
1. Faith / Trust: In Jesus being the Son of God; trusting him as Savior and Lord.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that who ever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Romans 10:11 “…Anyone who trust in him will never be put to shame.”
2. Love for God: Loving Jesus more than anyone and / or anything. A true believer’s greatest desire is God. God is their number one priority.
Matthew 22:37 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
3. Discipleship: Holding on to the Scriptures and putting into practice Jesus’ teachings. True disciples follow Jesus Christ and His Word.
John 8:31-32 “To the Jews who had believed him Jesus said, “If you hold to my teachings you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”
4. Lordship—Surrender and total commitment: Jesus Christ is Lord of all. “Jesus is Lord” is not a slogan, but how true disciples live!
Luke 14:33 “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”
5. Repentance: An authentic change of mind and heart; which is evidenced by a changed life that turns away from sin and turns to God.
Acts 2:38: “Peter replied , ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 7:10-11 “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done…”
6. Baptism: The faith response to the gospel message includes being immersed into Christ for the forgiveness of sins and to receive the indwelling Spirit of Christ.
Romans 6:3-5 “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.
Mark 16:16 “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
7. Spirit-led—Humble and submissive to the Lord’s will and direction
Romans 8:9 “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.”
8. Holy and Righteous: Although no one is perfect, true disciples live lives that are radically different from those in the world.
1 Peter 1:15 “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
9. Commitment to accountability within the family of God
Colossians 1:28 “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.”
10. Making and multiplying disciples: True believers are committed to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, baptizing those who commit to follow Him and continue to teach those who have been baptized to follow and obey Jesus Christ. The goal is to attain spiritual maturity and evangelize our lost world!
Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Are you a true believer? Are you a true disciple of Jesus? It is our prayer that we can get united on the standard of God’s Word and work together to evangelize this world in our generation! And to God be all the Glory!
