King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Monday, December 16, 2023
Chapters: ROMANS 12-16
Message: The Marks of A True Christian
“The marks of a True Christian.” that is not something that you do not hear every day. I remember years ago that when you told someone that you were a Christian it meant something positive as they saw you as someone who was honest, dependable, and virtuous. Over the years, especially since Covid, that is not the case, thanks to the immoral, unjust, and ungodly living within the Church. So, what are the marks of a true Christian? Well, first of all we are told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, [Philippians 2:12-13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.]
The first part of that fear is fearing God by honoring and respecting Him for who He is. Do you realize that in the blink of an eye God can wipe out the entire earth? He chooses not to do this because there are still some true Christians out there. The second part of that is acknowledging that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to sacrifice His own life for the salvation of our souls. Now, the this is where the trembling comes in, we must admit that we are sinners and that Jesus died to save us from hell and the lake of fire, [Romans 5:8-9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.]
Christ did the work for us, He took the beating, the stripes, the crown of thorns! He took the mocking and the shaming! He hung on the cross! He became the sacrifice that we needed in order to save our soul and it is only by grace that we are saved. Without Christ there is no salvation, and once we come to realize that we cannot save ourselves that is when we fully accept Him. Now, what do we do once we get saved? As we come to the end of the reading of Romans, Paul, describes the marks of a true Christian, and it all begins with our becoming a living sacrifice.
[Romans 12:1-3 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.]
[which is your reasonable service.] The least we can do for the great sacrifice that Jesus made for us is to become a living sacrifice for Him. Being a living sacrifice does not mean that we become nuns or monks, it means that we live each day in honor, thanksgiving, and respect for what Jesus did for us. The talent that God has given to each saved, born again Christian is to be used for Him and handed to them according to their ability. Some of us are given more responsibility, but that does not mean that we are more favorable, it just means that we are able to handle more, [Romans 12:6-8 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.]
[let him do it with simplicity…diligence…mercy, with cheerfulness.] Whatever it is that God has called us to do whether it be a pastor, missionary, evangelist, teacher, prayer warrior, maintenance tech, or even a janitor, it is something that we are to do with simplicity, diligence, and with a cheerful disposition. We do not need to overdo things, we just need to be faithful, merciful, and enjoy what we are doing, [Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.]
Is every day going to be rainbows and sunshine? Absolutely not! There is this quote that keeps showing up that says, “Not every day is joyful, but we can find some joy in every day.” and that is definitely something that we need to be working at. While no one can honestly prove to anyone that they are a true Christian by their works, I mean we have wolves in sheep’s clothing all over the Church, but there are some marks that can.
[Romans 12:9-17 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.]
[Bless them which persecute you:] Perhaps one of the most difficult things that we encounter as a Christian is helping and praying for those who wrong us. This is something that only the love and power of the Holy Spirit can do through us. Remember what Jesus did when He was being judged and they kept accusing Him of things? He remained silent, [Mark 15:3-5 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. 4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. 5 But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.].
Do you think that those men who put Jesus on the cross did not suffer? They are probably in hell right now, unless any of them repented. There is a time when we do need to speak up and defend ourselves, but sometimes the best remedy is to remain silent and let God handle it, [Romans 12:19-21 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.]
[Be not overcome of evil,] If we are not grounded in Christ at all times the evil will overtake us because we are not strong enough in our own abilities to fight off the evil. While Satan nor his demons can possess a saved soul, they can sure oppress one. Trust me I know this all too well and have been subject to them a time or two. The mark of a true Christian turns the evil around for good, we may get knocked down for a season, but God will pick us back up and help us fight it off.
[Romans 13:1-4 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.]
[they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.] God, gives us a choice, but that does not mean that our choices doe not count against us. Those who refuse to acknowledge that Christ is the only way to be saved receive damnation to themselves. No one ends up in hell because God wanted them there as He knows how much torture it is, He would even save Satan if he just let go of his pride. However, he knows what he end will be and that is why we are seeing evil like we have never seen or heard of I believe since the flood of Noah’s days. In fact, Jesus, even warned us that these days were coming, [Luke 17:26-27,30 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.]
[for he beareth not the sword in vain:] The sword is a symbol of the power of life and death, just as Jesus is the power of life and death. Unless one received Christ in vain they have that same power of life upon their souls, but if they did receive Him in vain, their death is upon themselves, [Revelation 21:7-8 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.]
The marks of a true Christian, is not the one who boasts all day long about how Jesus saved them and uses His blood as a cloak to cover their continual living in sin. While they are not under the Law anymore, through the power of the Holy Spirit in them they do gravitate to the Law in regards to first ten commandments anyway. Paul, goes on to say why this is actually something that we ought to be doing.
[Romans 13:8-11,14 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.]
[for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.] Why exactly do we fulfill the Law when we are under grace? Well, I cannot answer the why of everyone, but I can answer the why as to why I am a Law abiding citizen. There are a few reasons actually, one; I am accountable for my actions since I am a minister of both the Gospel and God’s Word as a whole. Two; I am accountable to those I teach, if I am living in sin, then I put Christ to shame. And three; I am here to encourage and strengthen those who weaker in their faith than I am. The true mark of a Christian is one who is leads by example.
[Romans 14:1-3,8,13,17 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.]
[and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth:] You see, we may all receive Christ the same way, and that is through our faith in the Gospel, but that does not mean that we all walk the same walk. There are things that I need to avoid that will weaken my faith that you may be able to withstand. We need to remind ourselves that we are not subjecting ourselves to God’s commandments under any obligation, we do so because we know our flesh. The mark of a true Christian is one who gives up the things that weakens them so they can encourage those who are weak in their faith.
[Romans 15:1-5 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. 3 For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:]
[that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures] I tell you what, there is truly no comfort like what we get from reading the Scriptures. I love reading the Job when Satan is attacking me. I love reading Joshua, Judges, and 1 Samuel when I need a reminder that I need to keep fighting. I love reading Ruth and Esther as a reminder that God’s power works through women as well as men. I love reading Isiah, Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and Jeremiah reminding me of God’s promises and mercies. I love reading Genesis, Exodus, and Deuteronomy as they remind me that God’s love is endless and is renewed every day. The Scriptures truly our our comfort, but they are also our hope in what will come of us once we leave this earth.
[Romans 15:13-16,20 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, 16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. 20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:]
[lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:] We are sent out into the world for one reason only and that is to present Christ as He is. The mark of a true Christian is one who is not ashamed to give their testimony or share the truth of Christ. There is only one Gospel and it does not matter if one knows of Christ, they need to know the one true Christ, the one who we come to with fear and trembling. The one who saves us by grace, but also tells us to repent and sin no more, [John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.]
This is why we need to be careful to maintain good works after we are saved, our judgment for sin will not come when we stand before Him, it will come here and now.
[Romans 16:17-20,25-26 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. 25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:]
[mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine] When Paul wrote this letter to the Romans he was referring to the Jews, it was actually their unbelief in Jesus that opened the door to the Gospel being preached to the Gentiles. Contrary to belief, being a Jew is technically not a religion, or a race, it is a person of decent that came from Jacob (Israel), born of Isaac, who was born of Abraham. The Jewish religion itself is mixture of Scripture from the Torah and tradition. Jesus, Himself said, [Mark 7:7-9 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.]
[the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,] Until Christ came here the mystery of the Gospel was kept secret from the world, the world meaning anyone who was not a believer. The secret was hinted at throughout the Scripture so any true believer would have had some knowledge of Christ coming when He appeared. Paul’s entire purpose regarding his ministry was not to reach the Jews, but the Gentiles, giving them equal privileges to the Jews, without obliging them to submit to the works written within the Law. Jesus, Himself said to the Jews, [Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.]
[made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:] Even though Jesus never sinned He was under the same temptations that we are under, [Hebrews 4:15-16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.] The final mark of a true Christian is one who knows they are saved by grace only by the mercies of God and how unworthy they are to even be saved yet live their lives in humble adoration, [Proverbs 22:3-4 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. 4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You, for your gift of salvation. I do not need to lift one finger to be saved from death and hell to my soul, I just need to believe in the Gospel of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and receive Him as my Saviour. Now, I know that I am under no obligation to prove my faith to the world, but I do want to set the mark of a true Christian by being the example that you need me to be to lead others to Him as well. Jesus, lead me and guide me, give me Your mercy, grace, and power to live by Your example. Let me live by Your strength alone and help me to be a living sacrifice to not only bring others to You, but give them strength when they are weak. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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