Christianity Today: Will the Real Christian Please Stand Up

“It’s not the talk, but the walk,” an outdated cliche but brings my point across. We’ve probably all known people who had spiritual conversions, even dramatic conversions. But as time passes we don’t see any evidence of conversion in their lives. This brings the question to mind, “What is true Christianity?”

“So then, you will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:20). True Christianity produces good fruit.

If we expect an apple tree to produce apples, likewise we can expect those proclaiming to be Christians to produce “Christian fruit.” This fruit falls into three categories:

1. Evidence of Spirit living within (Galatians 5:22-23) – Christians should reflect the fruits of the Spirit.
2. Evidence in lifestyle and behaviors (Romans 12:2) – This fruit overflows into behavior and lifestyles.
3. Evidence in works (James 2:26) – Fruit demonstrated by good works.

By this fruit, as mentioned above, we identify other believers. Consequently, these fruits exemplify true Christianity.

First then, how do we produce good fruit? Producing good fruit originates in the heart. So we need to take a look at the original conditions of the human heart in response to hearing the word of God.

The parable of the seed and sower explains 4 different heart conditions (Matthew 13:19-23) in response to hearing the word of God. The seed is the word of God, the soil is the heart, and the sower is God:

1. Hardened soil – Hear the word; heart is so hard it makes no impact.
2. Shallow soil – When trials come they wither; no true conversion.
3. Thorny soil – Cannot remove the world from their hearts.
4. Good soil – Produce fruit; represents a true believer who hears, understands and obeys.

Only the good soil produces fruit and represents true Christianity. Producing fruit doesn’t happen overnight it takes time. But there should be a gradual progression forward, though painstakingly slow at times.

“Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (Luke 13:24). True Christianity consistently strives to enter the narrow door.

Let us not forget the narrow door involves dying to self and striving to do so. Dying to self should be ongoing throughout a believer’s life. Now it so happens, the ways of the world are much easier than Jesus’ way.

This we must remember, we are to build our lives upon the rock (Christ), the solid foundation. And the test of true Christianity doesn’t come till the rains come. I might add, only time will tell. “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock” (Matthew 7:24).

“You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; and you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; (Matthew 13:14-15). Self deception does not represent true Christianity.

Self deception is not a good place to be, but many are stuck here. They profess to know Jesus as Savior, but have never been converted. How many are sitting in pews, or even some in church leadership positions (sometimes spanning a period of many years) in a state of self deception? The tragic fact; their confidence may be deceiving them. By the way, this is also a warning against religious hypocrisy.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matthew 23: 27).

The scribes and Pharisees were focused on outward appearances. God is not interested in the outward man. He looks at our hearts, our true motives, and real intents. True Christianity can only be accomplished after a person is cleansed internally.

One last point that comes to mind is the parable of the wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-30). This parable represents true believers and those professing to be believers. The genuine and the counterfeits may be indistinguishable. These two groups will be separated by the Lord at the end of the age.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139:23-24). True Christianity always brings us back to heart issues.

Producing good fruit does not mean we are without sin, or perfect. Battling sin within ourselves will continue till He returns, or we go home to be with Him. Paul so eloquently states this ongoing struggle with sin, “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death” (Romans 7:24)? But not to worry, God gives us the ability to obey, and practice a holy life.

So can we measure genuine conversion and should we? Only God can see into a person’s heart, so only God truly knows who is saved. Furthermore, our concern for others should stem from love, not cynicism. Equally important is for us Christians to allow God to do His ongoing work in our own hearts.

I would simply say this, God has given us wisdom, discernment, and the scriptures as a litmus test. We can identify true Christianity in some, and then some may remain perplexing to us. Our part is to speak the truth in love and pray for the unsaved and those we are uncertain of.

To conclude, we are confronted with a call to action, “Will the real Christian please stand up.”

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow, Me” (John 10:27).