The True Christian

THE MARKS OF A TRUE CHRISTIAN
1 John 5:1 Morning Meditation 12/16/2006 by Earl White..
"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every onethat loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him."I want us to look at some of the marks of a true child of God that are namedin this short epistle.
First of all-HE BELIEVES THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST
This is a universal truth. By universal, I mean that it is something that istrue of all believers. John says, "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is theChrist is born of God." The "is" is a continuous action verb. It means that he continually believes.He cannot be persuaded differently. He is set in concrete on this subject;the "whosoever" refers to any and all believers. John says that this is adoctrine that is inherent in the gospel. Faith in Christ embraces the wholetruth about Christ. It does not mean he understands it all. Dr. Bob Jones Sr. said to me on one occasion, "when I was saved I did notknow anything about the virgin birth; but the moment I heard that Jesus wasborn of a virgin, I believed it." When we are saved we believe all of Jesus'claims, even though for us to understand the doctrine, we must be taught.
HE LOVES HIS BRETHREN
Verse 1 says, "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God:and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten ofhim."This is one of the marks of a true Christian. "Every one that loveth himthat begat loveth him also that is begotten of him."1 John 3:14, "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because welove the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death." John isvery uncompromising in his declaration "He that loveth not his brotherabideth in death."
HE LIVES A RIGHTEOUS LIFE
1 John 2:29, "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one thatdoeth righteousness is born of him."Living out the life of the indwelling Christ is a definite mark of the truebeliever. Living out the life of Christ is not done in the power of the willor the power of the flesh, it is being filled with the Spirit. Only Christis righteous. Philippians 3:9 says, "And be found in him, not having mineown righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faithof Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"
HE KEEPS THE LORD'S COMMANDMENTS
The word "commandments" means "the saying of the Lord." For instance, thegreat commission: Matthew 28:18-20, "And Jesus came and spake unto them,saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore,and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of theSon, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoeverI have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of theworld. Amen."Obedience to the Lord is only reasonable for the one who has just beenforgiven of all sin and given eternal life. Paul brings this out in Romans12:1, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that yepresent your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which isyour reasonable service."Keeping the Lord's commands is not burdensome for the Christian. 1 John 5:3says, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and hiscommandments are not grievous." The word "grievous" means "burdensome."The most unreasonable thing is that a person who has received salvation as agift from God because of the death of Christ on the cross, would refuse tobe obedient.
HE IS HATED BY THE WORLD
The believer is the light of the world; Matthew 5:14-16, "Ye are the lightof the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do menlight a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and itgiveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine beforemen, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is inheaven."Light will always expose those who walk in darkness and the darkness willalways hate the light. A believer does not have to expose darkness byrailing accusations; the life that he lives will automatically expose thedarkness and will therefore bring the hatred of darkness upon him.
HE OVERCOMES SATAN
1 John 4:4, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: becausegreater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."What a joyous thought. We are overcomers because we have the Overcomerliving within us. Christ has never lost a battle against Satan. Satan is adefeated foe. He is operating on limited time. The cross took his dominionfrom him. The believer can come against Satan in the Name of Jesus and hemust surrender. Colossians 2:14-15, "Blotting out the handwriting ofordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out ofthe way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities andpowers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." The word"spoiled" translates "apekduomai" and means "wholly put off from one's self,denoting separation from what is put off." Jesus threw Satan down from histhrone. He also did this for every one of His followers. James 4:7, "Submityourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."HE OVERCOMES THE WORLD1 John 5:4, "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this isthe victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."Our faith in Christ overcomes the world because He overcomes the world.Jesus becomes our Overcomer.1 Corinthians 1:30, "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is madeunto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
"May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.
In Christ Bro. White