Distinguishing Marks…Of A Christian
There are all types of Christians or better said, Christianity is reflected differently in different people. Before we break that down, let’s be clear, a Christian is simply someone who has been saved which is referred to as being justified and forgiven and is now a follower of Christ Jesus.
Justification is definitive, there’s no gray area, no confusion, no maybe, and no “I’m not sure.” As noted in Romans 10:8-10, you either have or have not been saved, received salvation, confessed who Christ is and received the free gift of forgiveness.
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Justification (also known as Salvation) is when you become a Christian. It’s when you know, absolutely, without any doubt and without any other conditions or required actions to be certain, beyond all doubt, that you are heaven bound for eternity as opposed to the alternative of being hell bound.
Sanctification, on the other hand, is what happens after being saved and it’s where the most confusion and variation kicks in. Sanctification is the process of being set apart, if you will, whereby your life is a reflection of the fact that you are a follower of Christ Jesus. Sanctification, the way you live your life, does not impact your salvation, rather sanctification should be a reflection of your salvation. Sanctification is living your life to glorify, and honor Christ not to be saved but because you have been saved.
each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation [foundation is salvation] survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. - 1 Corinthians 3:13-15
Justification (Salvation) is a one-time, single point in time event that cannot be taken away for any reason. Sanctification is a life-long effort to learn and to grow in your faith so that your life reflects more every day what living for Christ looks like.
The most beautiful part of justification and sanctification is that justification makes us perfect in God’s eyes. Sanctification is knowing we will not be perfect until we enter eternity but nonetheless committing to getting better every day. Paul was clear on the sanctification process when he penned …
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.- Philippians 3:12-16
While we will not be able to be perfect in actual practice, we can certainly strive to reflect in our lives the characteristics of Christ as best we can. These characteristics are referred to as Distinguishing Marks of a Christian.
However, keep in mind this is where the variations kick in. It’s where the confusion about Christianity is birthed as we all exemplify these traits to different degrees. Some are committed to living by these marks while others, not so much. All are Christians through justification, but all are also at a different point on the sanctification journey.
Nonetheless, Romans 12:9-21, provides 13 Distinguishing Marks which every Christian should strive to reflect in their life. Following is a summary of these Distinguishing Marks:
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” [cause him/her to reflect on their actions]
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome [subdue] evil with good.
Each one of these, in and of itself, can be a lesson or chapter in a book but for now just take them at face value and commit to reflecting each in your life every day.
