I have been in the ministry, as either an assistant or Senior Pastor since the early 1990’s. During that time, I have seen all sorts of people in the churches where I served. These are people who carry the right Bible, attend church faithfully (somewhat), and even go soul winning.
Then, when the opportunity arose, some of those very same people suddenly become vitriolic, hate filled, and acrimonious as they attacked me without mercy. Those are the same people that I had loved, prayed for and attempted to help. The experience of being attacked by those you have loved is shocking. It is like taking a drink from a cold cup, expecting water, and finding instead that it is filled with ammonia.
It eventually became clear to me that not everyone who claims to be a Christian is one.
The Bible says, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
I John 4:1
Do you think the devil could sell you a used car? If a wise man wanted to buy a used car, he would do the best he could to find out if something was wrong with it. He would listen to the sounds it makes. He would test drive it to see how it runs. He would check under the hood, look at the tread on the tires, and take precautions to see if something was wrong. If so, he would walk away.
Do you think the devil could sell you a fake Christian? John, in I John 4:1 says that we should “try the spirits” to see whether they are of God. What does that mean? How can we test a person’s claims of Christianity? Listen to the sounds they make; see what fruit they have produced; find out if anything is wrong. If things are not right, walk away.
Since John issued the warning, let’s see what John had to say. He surely would tell us what to look for. Here are a few of his admonitions.
- I Jn 2:3-4: Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
- I Jn 2:9-10: He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
- I Jn 3:6-8: Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil . . .
- I Jn 3:14-16 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
It is valuable to know that John pointed to 1.) how we love our brother in Christ, 2.) whether or not we are habitually engaged in sin, and again 3.) the fact that we must love our brother in Christ sacrificially. That is THE test. Christ loved us sacrificially, and we are commanded to love our brothers in Christ in the same way.
You and I can tell when a person hates us or not. It is easy. When they attack us, speak against us, falsely accuse us, and have no regard for our well being, we know. Love is easy to spot, and so is hatred. We have seen it far too often – sadly, in churches from church members!
The test is, does the one who claims to know Christ sacrificially love those who love and serve the Lord? If he or she does not, they are an impostor. Walk away.