True Christian

Fake People

Can you tell when someone is being fake towards you?

I know I get this feeling when someone is not being genuine with me and it really blows. I just want to know what the deal is and why I am being treated like this.

This usually happens to me when I am around people who I don’t know or don’t like me.

When was a time where you felt this way?

True Cristians

Today we are going to look at something that is pretty important and that is the marks of a true christian.

Why is this important?

This is key to everyone who is a believer. This is an outline to how we need to be if we claim the name of Jesus.

This is super important here and now because of the state of our world and the things that are going on all around us.

Earlier today I had a conversation with my best friend Dwight. During this call we talked about what is happening with the Black Lives Matter movement going on today.

During this call we talked about one key thing and that is this whole conflict is based on a heart issue.

Heart issues are issues only God can fix.

People (you and I) are broken and only by the grace of God can we be fixed. So today we are going to read about what it looks like when God “fixes” us.

Lets read

Romans 12:9–21 (ESV)

Marks of the True Christian

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Paul starts off with this line:

Let Love Be Genuine

The Greek word for love here is agape

The translation means love like God’s or God’s love

The Greek word for genuine is anypokritos

This can be translated as genuine, sincere, or without hypocrisy

This means that

Our love is to be of high quality.

Our love needs to be real

Our love needs to not show hypocrisy

When is the last time you were able to show someone love like this?

Then Paul gives us a set of things to do. But the root of it is love.

Rooted in love.

How does this apply to me?

We are called to all of these things out of the love.

The way we act

We are suppose to hate what is evil

Sin

Love each others like family

Show each other honor/respect and be crazy about it.

Don’t be lazy especially in your walk with God.

Rejoice in hope especially when people get saved!

When things are hard show patience

Pray ALL THE TIME

Give to the church so that your pastor can survive

Seek out ways to make others feel like they are a part of this family

Bless those who hate you.

Rejoice with those who are rejoicing (be happy for others!)

Weep with those who are weeping (be broken hearted over the hurt that people are experiencing)

Live with others

Do life with the humble not just those who are prideful be (this causes harmony)

Seek God for wisdom

When evil happens to you do what is honorable.

Live at peace with others as much as you can.

Our Response

We are not called to be the judge over what happens to us. God is.

We are called to seek peace with those who wrong us even when it is hard.

This means that when you are mad because you have been hurt you are called to do what is hard. Live at peace with the people who hurt you. Show them the love that God has shown you.

When we do this it has a different affect than vengeance. It shows God to them.

God sees all injustice and it hurts him.

We see this in

Exodus 3:7 (ESV)

7 Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings,

God see and cares. What we go through is not in vain. But we are called to live in a way that is not like the word.

How do we live this out?

When we are going through everyday life we need to follow this.

This should be our goal. We are called to show the love of God in these ways.

Paul was talking to 1st century christians who were being killed for their faith. We are going through a time right now where people are hurting and angry because of the way they have been treated.

We need to welcome and love all people because of the love that was shown to us and for us.

This means even those people groups who are hard for us to love. Why? Because it shows the love of God and reflects the love that has been shown to us.

This week I want you to think about who is hard for you to love. Write that down.

I want you then to begin to pray for those people. Pray for ways to love them. Pray for your response when they frustrate you.

PRAY ALL THE TIME.