Ask a Pastor Column

Q: What is the difference between true and false Christians, and why do diverse Christians have so many definitions for this?

A: Well, I suppose all I’m going to be able to do is add one more opinion to the diversity! But I will endeavor to make my opinion a biblical one, and also explain some of the other perspectives that people may have heard.

Most fundamentally, a Christian is someone who follows the teachings and examples of Jesus Christ and the Apostles. Anyone who does so sincerely and accurately is a Christian, regardless of what I or anyone else may say. Of course, the rub comes when Christians begin debating amongst ourselves what it actually means to be a follower of Christ. At various points in history, professing Christians have disagreed with each other about this very thing. Some of the divisions have been peaceful, others have been less so. Some of the differences have been significant, others seem rather petty in hindsight. These differences have led to the rise of various Christian denominations, and for many years the followers of these various denominations have been tempted to consider themselves to be the only true followers of Christ.

But how does the Bible describe a true follower of Jesus? There are several passages we can examine. Jesus Himself stated that His followers should be known by their love for each other (John 13:35) and for self-sacrificial obedience to Him (Mark 8:34). But the fundamental quality that He desired was faith (John 6:28-29).

Since the choice to have faith in Christ and become a Christian is a heart choice, it’s hard to be 100 percent sure of others when we’re on the outside looking in. Christians are given many proofs to look for to assure ourselves of our own salvation (Romans 8:14, 16; I John 5:13, etc.), but we aren’t given any sure-fire tests of other people’s salvation (I Corinthians 4:5). Also, we are told that God’s enemy has sown fakes and hypocrites among the genuine believers to confuse the world about the Truth of Christ (Matthew 13:24-30). I think the Apostle Paul said it best; “The Lord knows those who are His, and let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (II Timothy 2:19). In the end, Christ Himself will get the final say on who is or isn’t a genuine Christian (Matthew 7:21-23). It is one of the things He will sort out on His return.

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