“Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 2:5
“Anyone who claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” – 1 John 2:6
If someone says they are a Christian, you get to judge them inside and out.
Inwardly, they should have the attitude of Jesus.
Outwardly, they should have the “walk” of Jesus.
These are the inner and outer standards upon which all of us who call ourselves Christians measure ourselves. (Not in order to get eternal security, by the way, which is a free gift of love from God, but as the evidence that we have received this free gift…for they are earth-bound results of belief in Jesus.)
And while the Bible makes these two things clear, it also makes it clear that there is a transformational process involved in the becoming like Jesus (Romans 12:2, for example).
Combine these two things, and the true standard that you can use to judge if someone is a Christian is whether or not that someone is actively involved in his or her own transformation into the image of Christ.
If you asked them, they would be able to tell you…
…that they are becoming more like Christ.
…that they are not finished becoming more like Christ.
…how they are becoming more like Christ.
…what old attitudes and actions they had that weren’t like Christ.
…what current attitudes and actions they have that aren’t like Christ.
…what new attitudes and actions they have acquired that are like Christ.
…what attitudes and actions they lack that are like Christ.
…what they participated in, in order to transform into Christ likeness.
…what they are currently participating in, in order to continue transforming into Christ likeness.
So, if you ask them these questions, and they can’t answer (now, give ‘em a minute, because not many ask them to articulate these things), you are free to doubt that they are Christians.
No matter what they say.
Jesus, his attitude and his ways, are the standard of judgment.
3 comments:
What about those who would say "you can't judge my heart! Only God can see that"?
They would be right.
This isn't one of my best posts, I have to admit. Lots of room for messages I don't intend.
My intent was to (1) suggest to Christians that these particular issues would be powerful work for them to consider, (2) suggest to non-Christians that the by-products of believing in Jesus should produce these kinds of fruits in genuine followers of Christ, and (3) suggest to all humanity that Christ is in the business of actually transforming you, and that if that hasn't and isn't happening, then perhaps you're practicing an incomplete version of Christianity.
In light of # 2, can Christians also judge/test other Christians' actions (which are obviously more measurable to our eyes then the heart)? The thought you're bringing to my mind is, when someone says, "I'm a Christian", instead of 'taking their word for it', it seems like it would be wise to look at the fruit in their life, correct? Many are familiar with, and use Jesus's instruction not to judge, but don't also bring into the discussion later in the chapter (Matt 7) where he points out thoughts on a tree and it's fruit, and being discerning.
To use a real-world example, when a fellow Christian is talking about how great a movie they just saw was, and it turns out that movie had a certain four-letter word in it 40-50 times....it kind of makes you wonder.
Sorry for the myopia on judging, but judgement versus wise discernment has been on my mind.
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