Recognizing True Chrisianity

After the apostles died, true worship became contaminated b y the progressive development of many forms of imitation Christianity. Foreseeing this, Jesus disclosed one way to distinguish these counterfeit forms of Christianity from true Christianity. First, he warned: "Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to you in sheep's covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves." Then he added: "By their fruits you will recognize them." (Matthew 7:15-23) Jesus' true followers practice what he taught, and they are easily recognized by their fine fruits. Just as Jesus himselt did, they visit people to explain God's Kingdom from the Scriptures. Following Jesus' example, they stand apart from the world's politics and social controversies. They accept the Bible as God's Word and respect it as the truth. They make God's name known. And since they strive to practice the love that God teaches, they do not share in wars, instead they treat one another as brothers. - Luke 4:43; 10:1-9; John 13:34, 35; 17:16, 17, 26.

According to the Scriptures, it is possible to "see the distinction between a righteous one and a wicked one, between one serving God and one who has not served him." (Malachi 3:18) True worshipers today are united in thought and deed, just as the first-century Christians were. (Ephesians 4:4-6) Once you identify such a body of genuine Christians, why should you be inquisitive or curious about the beliefs of others?

Next time: Beware Of False Teachers