Q. I have a friend who says he is a Christian but I am not sure he is. What signs should I be looking for to tell me that he is?

There are a hundred different ways of answering such a question because the fruits of true conversion are many and varied. The first, most obvious, and greatest fruit is, of course, that a born-again disciple becomes more loving toward others and more self-disciplined -- more patient, self-restrained, self-controlled and orderly.

Be careful that you do not pass unrighteous judgment because much of a person's goodness is often concealed deep within the heart where only the most trusty will be allowed to reach down and look. Yet there should be outer signs too. One who is a true disciple will desire, and be activly a part of, a fellowship of other Christians, sharing their joys and sufferings.

I can only here cite a few examples and I elect Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians as one of many possible sources. The Thessalonian Church is a church of new converts from paganism -- they are young and fresh in the Gospel. Let us see some of their qualities:

"Our Gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction...You became imitators of us [the apostles] and of the Lord [Jesus Christ]; inspire of severe suffering you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit" (1 Thess.1:4-6, NIV).

When a man or woman is in Christ there is an "intense longing" to be together with other Christians (1 Thess.2:17, NIV). The "hope, joy and crown" of every Christian is the expectation of being together with other Christians in the resurrection. We are each others' "glory and joy" (v.19-20).

For me, the key-note of the new birth in Christ is the desire for fellowship with brethren and sisters in Christ. Where that is absent, there is something fundamentally wrong with the claim a person makes to being a Christian.

Another key is the desire to forsake the world. A person born again of the Holy Spirit undergoes an inward change such that the world system of things becomes uninteresting and unappetising.

Those who desire mysticism must check their motives carefully. Are our motives the selfish quest for personal knowledge and power, in order, perhaps, to gain a following? Do we seek mysticism to escape painful realities? Or is our motive to bring glory to God by blessing people to deal with the realities of earth life? If it is the latter, then mysticism has a place. If not, it is a sure ticket to illusion, fantasy and, eventually ....hell.

This page was created on 1 May 1998 Last updated on 1 May 1998

Copyright © 1987-2008 NCCG - All Rights Reserved