10 Hallmarks That Reveal a True Follower of Christ or an Imposter

One Nation Under God. (submitted image)

by Mark Doland – Park Church of Christ

There are many studies and much research that shows that little difference between self professing Christians and those in the world. This is a sad testament to the church of Christ. We are truly called to be separate than the world in that our conversion should be evident by the fruit that we bear. The reason I believe that we find these startling facts in studies and polls is because there are many professing Christians that are not true converts.

You may say that I am being judgmental and harsh. I can speak to this. I was a false convert for nearly 20 years. I attended different churches. I had my first experience of going to church on my own initiative when I was nine years old. I was taught that I needed to be sorry for my sins and I could pray to Jesus and I would be saved (an act not found in the Scriptures). I was aware that I needed the cross to be saved, but just a little bit of it. I was a pretty good kid. I didn’t get into a lot of trouble. Therefore, I did not feel as bad as others who I knew had a very different lifestyle than me and they needed the whole cross.

When I realized that the standard was not my standard, but rather, God’s standard, I realized that I was totally lost. You see, the ten commandments, the “moral law,” reveals our sinfulness. We have all lied which is one of the ten commandments. The Bible teaches that if you have broken one you have broken them all.
We have all stolen something of small value even if we didn’t mean to. We may have hated which is equal to murder and if we have looked with lust, this is pointed out as sin as well. It doesn’t take long to realize that we have broken every one of the ten commandments, which is the reflection of God’s character and nature. This indeed is what will judge us.

I was not a good person and when I learned that the standard was not based on man but upon God’s character and nature, I realized that I needed the whole cross. Next week we will look at repentance and baptism. If you would like a free correspondence course, please contact us at the Park church of Christ at 641-673-4481.