How do you discern a true Christian from a not true Christian?

Question

Do you judge them based on the material their cross is made from?

I went to a church and I saw lots of people with different crosses around their neck. Some were gold and others silver.

Is there some sort of heirarchy?

Are you given different colour crosses so others who see you know your degree of righteousness?

Is having a gold one like having a black belt in Christianity?

Do you have to register your hands so people know that when you pray you mean business?

Answer 1

When you use your define other people instead of allowing them to define themselves, then you are always right and they are always wrong unless your definitions happen by chance to match.

Answer 2

The Bible foretold that after the death of the apostles, wrong teachings and unchristian practices would slowly come into the Christian congregation. Men would draw away believers to follow them instead of Christ. (Matthew 7:15, 21-23; Acts 20:29, 30) That is why we see so many different religions that claim to be Christian. How can we identify true Christians?

The most outstanding mark of true Christians is that they have real love among themselves. (John 13:34, 35) They are not taught to think that they are better than people of other races or skin color. Neither are they taught to hate people from other countries. (Acts 10:34, 35) So they do not share in wars. True Christians treat one another as brothers and sisters.—1 John 4:20, 21.

Another mark of true religion is that its members have a deep respect for the Bible. They accept it as the Word of God and believe what it says. (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17) They treat God's Word as being more important than human ideas or customs. (Matthew 15:1-3, 7-9) They try to live by the Bible in their everyday life. So they do not preach one thing and then practice another.—Titus 1:15, 16.

The true religion must also honor God's name. (Matthew 6:9) Jesus made God's name, Jehovah, known to others. True Christians must do the same. (John 17:6, 26; Romans 10:13, 14) Who are the people in your community that tell others about God's name?

True Christians must preach about God's Kingdom. Jesus did so. He always talked about the Kingdom. (Luke 8:1) He commanded his disciples to preach this same message in all the earth. (Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20) True Christians believe that only God's Kingdom will bring true peace and security to this earth.—Psalm 146:3-5.

Jesus' disciples must be no part of this wicked world. (John 17:16) They do not get involved in the world's political affairs and social controversies. They avoid the harmful conduct, practices, and attitudes that are common in the world. (James 1:27; 4:4) Can you identify a religious group in your community that has these marks of true Christianity?

Answer 3

Is that a real picture of you? It cracks me up. Wearing a cross is a symbol of being a christian. Some wear crucifixes and some simple crosses. They are made from all kind of things. The crucifix is a symbol of his dying for us. The simple cross is the overcoming of death. There is an Easter cross also that has material draped on it. It has meaning for the person who wears it so it is not cool to make fun of it. Some people just wear them like accessories to complete and outfit. There are also fishes that are usually put on cars. They were the earlier signs of Christianity. you may not believe in any of it but the others do who wear them. please don't insult them- peace.

Answer 4

It all depends on how much you put in the donation tray. If you give to the church you get God points - this affects how you dress and your status with God. If you don't got the money, of course you don't get any God points. God points can be spent at any Jesus Clothing and Moses Jeans outlets. You do get one point for joining, if you are not a Christian you're not allowed to be good or go to heaven. Kidding. Just be a good person and you'll be fine, it doesn't even matter if you where idols around you neck, in fact that could be construed as Idolotry in which case maybe you lose God points

Answer 5

Only God knows.
Each Christian may know he is true or not true. You cannot judge fairly, because the action may look good, but the intention is not, and vice versa; some people may do wrong the whole life, but he repents at the last breath - this matter is exciting because nobody knows when will be the last breath! So you and I should repent now, the repentance from unfair judgement.
Please rethink.

Answer 6

Your question is rather tongue in cheek however I will answer.
As a Pastor I'm more concerned with how they conduct themselves away from the Church setting. I'm never paying attention to the size or material of their cross or the size of their Bible.
It's the heart that matters not the outward trappings.

Answer 7

Hey... well the Bible says that you can descern which ones are real and false by their actions and by their words...

There are some Christians that act like comlpete donkeys... and they could still be saved, but that doesn't mean that they are living and doing good like God wants them to....

THen there are the kind compashionate and good Christians that love others and are understanding of others... they are obeying God's Word by doing good...

But God loves everyone... despite wheter they obey or disobey...

you would still love your kids even when they do wrong insted of whats right, would you not?

Of course you would still love them... it is the same way with God and Christians...

Answer 8

Interesting question. The Bible says that we Christians are to be growing into the likeness of Christ. I suppose that a true Christian would be acting like they believe Christ would act. I think it was Ray Stevens who asked "Would Jesus wear a Rolex on his television show?" Probably not but I don't think He really minds if you wear one. He might even practice a little Christ-fu.

Answer 9

u really cannot judge true christians from not true christians. everyone has different beliefs and we all should respect that. unfortuantley a lot of people that call themselves christians are very judgemental(not all but a few). so the only answer I have for you is a true christian is respectful of all and does unto others as he or she would have done to them.

Answer 10

The Bible says we will know them by their fruits....that is the fruit they produce from their lives and how they are in their Spirit. God gives some a gift of discernment, so that we can know true from false...yes, we do sometimes get deceived, but God will reveal Truth to His people.

Answer 11

True christians have the stigmata, the sign of christ's wounds.

There are no levels of christianity. Some people are more pious than others, but it's individual variance.