Discerning the True Christian: Distinguishing Between the Born

Again and the Churchgoer

In the tapestry of religious engagement, two distinct personas often emerge:

the born-again believer and the churchgoer. While both may occupy the

pews of congregations and profess allegiance to Christ, a deeper

examination reveals stark disparities in their spiritual essence and

commitment. Let us delve into the nuances of these identities and elucidate

the profound implications they hold for the individual believer and the

broader Christian community.

1. The Born-Again Experience vs. Church Attendance:

The essence of Christianity transcends mere affiliation with a religious

institution; it encompasses a profound spiritual transformation known as

being "born again." This metamorphosis occurs when an individual

encounters the life-changing power of Christ and surrenders their life to His

lordship. It is a deeply personal and transformative experience that redefines

one's identity and purpose.

Conversely, church attendance may signify a cultural or social adherence to

religious traditions without necessarily reflecting a genuine encounter with

Christ. While participation in corporate worship and religious rituals is

commendable, it does not guarantee the spiritual rebirth and transformation

that characterize authentic Christianity.

2. The Motivation Behind Giving One's Life to Christ:

The decision to surrender one's life to Christ is a pivotal moment in the

spiritual journey of every believer. It is often motivated by a profound

recognition of one's need for salvation, forgiveness, and reconciliation with

God. Those who embrace Christ as their Savior do so out of a deep-seated

conviction of His deity, sacrificial love, and redemptive power.

In contrast, some may be drawn to Christianity for reasons unrelated to

genuine faith, such as cultural upbringing, familial expectations, or societal

pressure. While outwardly professing allegiance to Christ, their commitment

may be superficial, lacking the transformative power that accompanies a

genuine encounter with the living God.

3. The Character of a True Christian:

The character of a true Christian is defined by a vibrant, dynamic

relationship with Christ that permeates every aspect of their life. They

exhibit the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – as evidence of their

spiritual vitality. Their actions align with the teachings of Christ, reflecting

humility, compassion, and a fervent commitment to righteousness.

4. The Character of an Unbelieving Believer:

An unbelieving believer, on the other hand, may outwardly conform to

religious norms and practices while harboring doubt or unbelief in their

heart. Their profession of faith may be superficial, lacking genuine conviction

or personal commitment to Christ. While they may participate in religious

activities, their lives may betray a lack of authentic transformation and

spiritual fruitfulness.

5. Separating the Sheep from the Goats:

Jesus Himself provided insight into distinguishing between genuine disciples

and mere pretenders in His parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew

25:31-46). True disciples are characterized by their love for God and others,

evidenced by acts of compassion, mercy, and justice towards the

marginalized and vulnerable. In contrast, false disciples may appear religious

outwardly but lack genuine love and compassion in their actions.

6. The Gain in Living Two Lifestyles:

The divergent paths of the born-again believer and the churchgoer ultimately

lead to vastly different outcomes. The born-again believer experiences the

abundant life promised by Christ – a life marked by spiritual intimacy, joy,

peace, and purpose. They inherit the blessings of salvation, eternal life, and

fellowship with God, both in the present age and the age to come.

In contrast, the churchgoer who lacks genuine faith may find themselves

mired in spiritual emptiness, uncertainty, and disillusionment. Their religious

practices may offer temporary comfort or social validation but cannot

provide the deep, abiding fulfillment found only in a vibrant relationship with

Christ.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the dichotomy between the born-again believer and the

churchgoer underscores the profound difference between religious adherence

and authentic discipleship. While both may outwardly profess allegiance to

Christ, only the born-again believer experiences the transformative power of

salvation and the abundant life found in Him. As believers, let us heed the

call to genuine faith and wholehearted devotion to Christ, that we may bear

witness to His transformative power and reflect His love to the world.

The Distinctive Traits of a True Christian

Becoming a genuine follower of Christ involves more than mere attendance

at church services or adherence to religious traditions. True Christianity is

marked by a profound spiritual transformation, rooted in faith and grace.

Here, we delve into the characteristics that distinguish a true born-again

Christian from the superficial trappings of religious affiliation.

1. Salvation Through Grace and Faith: A true Christian recognizes that

salvation is a gift of grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ alone. It is

not earned through personal merit or good works. Embracing Christ as

Savior entails acknowledging His sacrificial atonement for sin and trusting in

His redemptive power (Ephesians 2:8-9).

2. Imitating Christ's Example: Central to the Christian life is the

emulation of Jesus Christ. True believers strive to pattern their lives after His

teachings, values, and character. Christ becomes their ultimate role model,

guiding their thoughts, actions, and aspirations (Ephesians 5:1).

3. Obedience to God's Word: Genuine faith is evidenced by obedience to

God's commandments. True Christians demonstrate their love for God by

aligning their lives with His revealed will, as outlined in Scripture. Their

obedience is not legalistic but flows from a heart transformed by love and

gratitude (John 14:15).

4. Non-Conformity to Worldly Standards: A distinguishing trait of true

believers is their refusal to conform to the values and priorities of the world.

They reject the allure of worldly pleasures and ambitions, instead seeking to

honor God in all aspects of life. Their allegiance lies with God's kingdom

rather than the fleeting pleasures of this world (Romans 12:2).

5. Exercising Spiritual Authority: Empowered by the Holy Spirit, true

Christians exercise authority over the forces of darkness. They are equipped

to confront spiritual opposition, demonstrate supernatural gifts, and bring

healing and deliverance in Jesus' name. Their lives bear witness to the

transformative power of God at work within them (Mark 16:17-18).

6. Walking in Love: Love is the hallmark of genuine Christianity. True

believers embody the selfless love exemplified by Christ, extending

compassion, forgiveness, and kindness to others. Their actions reflect God's

unconditional love, drawing others into fellowship and reconciliation (1

Corinthians 13:1-3).

7. Bearing Fruit of the Spirit: The presence of the Holy Spirit in a

believer's life manifests in the fruit of righteousness. True Christians exhibit

the characteristics of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Their lives bear witness to the

transformative work of God's Spirit within them (Galatians 5:22-25).

8. Glorifying Jesus Christ: Above all, the life of a true Christian is oriented

towards glorifying Jesus Christ. Their actions, words, and motives are

directed towards honoring and magnifying the Lord. They seek not their own

acclaim but the exaltation of the One who redeemed them. Their lives serve

as a testimony to the greatness and goodness of God (Colossians 3:23-25).

In essence, a true born-again Christian transcends mere religious

observance to embody a life transformed by the power of God's grace. Their

identity is rooted in Christ, their allegiance unwavering, and their lives a

testament to the transformative power of genuine faith. Let us, therefore,

strive to be not only hearers but doers of the Word, living out our faith in

every aspect of our lives (James 1:22-25).

The Characteristics of Unbelievers

The Scriptures provide a sobering depiction of those who reject God and

persist in unbelief. Understanding these traits serves as a reminder of the

urgent need for salvation and the importance of sharing the Gospel with the

lost.

1. Sinful Practice: Unbelievers habitually engage in sin, aligning

themselves with the devil, who has been sinning from the beginning. Their

lives reflect a pattern of disobedience and rebellion against God's commands

(1 John 3:8-9).

2. Hostility Towards God: The mindset of unbelievers is inherently hostile

to God and His laws. They refuse to submit to His authority and reject His

truth, preferring to live according to their own desires (Romans 8:7).

3. Accursed and Detestable: Those who wander from God's

commandments are described as accursed and detestable. Their disregard

for God's Word leads them down a crooked path that ultimately results in

spiritual ruin (Psalm 119:21; Proverbs 28:18).

4. Spiritual Deadness: Before coming to faith, unbelievers are spiritually

dead in their trespasses and sins. Their lives are characterized by separation

from God and bondage to sin (Ephesians 2:1-2).

5. Disobedience and Deception: Unbelievers profess to know God but

deny Him by their actions. They reject His authority and live in disobedience,

deceived by their own sinful desires (Titus 1:16).

6. Various Vices and Immoralities: Unbelievers engage in a range of

sinful behaviors, including drunkenness, gluttony, violence, and sexual

immorality. Their lives are marked by selfishness, indulgence, and disregard

for moral boundaries (Proverbs 23:20; Galatians 4:8; Matthew 12:35; Psalm

140:11).

7. Love of Darkness: Those who practice wickedness hate the light and

avoid exposure to truth. They prefer to remain in darkness rather than come

to repentance (John 3:20).

8. Worldly and Divisive: Unbelievers cause divisions and strife, driven by

worldly desires and devoid of the Spirit. Their focus is on earthly pursuits

rather than spiritual truths (Jude 19).

9. Multifaceted Sinfulness: Unbelievers exhibit a wide array of sinful

traits, including gossip, slander, hatred of God, insolence, pride, and

disobedience. Their hearts are hardened, and their actions reflect a rejection

of God's standards (Romans 1:29-31).

10. Exclusion from God's Kingdom: The unrighteous will not inherit the

kingdom of God. Those who persist in unbelief and sinful lifestyles face

eternal separation from God's presence (Revelation 21:8; 1 Corinthians 6:9-

10).

11. Pursuit of Selfish Pleasure: Unbelievers prioritize self-gratification

and worldly pleasures over the pursuit of godliness. Their lives are

characterized by self-centeredness, greed, and indulgence (2 Timothy 3:2-

5).

Understanding the characteristics of unbelievers underscores the urgency of

sharing the Gospel and extends compassion towards those who are lost. May

we, as believers, have a fervent passion for the salvation of souls and

diligently proclaim the hope found in Christ to all who are in need.

The Biblical Concept of Separating Sheep from Goats

The Bible often speaks about the separation of the righteous from the

wicked, likening it to the division between sheep and goats. This imagery is

used to illustrate the discernment and judgment that God exercises over His

creation.

1. Divine Sovereignty and Purpose: God's sovereignty encompasses both

peace and division. While He desires peace and unity among His children, He

acknowledges that division is sometimes necessary for the sake of true

worship and righteousness (Isaiah 45:7). Jesus Himself spoke of bringing a

sword and division rather than peace on earth, highlighting the ultimate

priority of serving God's purposes (Matthew 10:34; Luke 12:51).

2. God's Scrutiny and Evaluation: Just as a shepherd carefully inspects

his sheep, God evaluates His people through His Word. The rod symbolizes

His scrutiny, allowing Him to discern the quality of His sheep and identify

those who belong to Him (Ezekiel 20:37-38). This scrutiny serves the dual

purpose of assessment and separation.

3. Identification and Possession: The rod also aids in identifying true

possession. Just as a shepherd marks his sheep for ownership, God

distinguishes His own through His scrutiny. This process ensures that His

sheep are properly identified and separated from the goats (Matthew 25:31-

46).

4. Manifestation of True Character: God's scrutiny reveals the true

character of His people. Those who belong to Him demonstrate

righteousness and godly qualities, while those who do not exhibit traits of

carnality and division (Titus 1:10-16). The fruit of one's life reflects the

condition of the heart and indicates whether they belong to God's flock or

not (Luke 6:44-45).

5. Discernment and Protection: Ministers and shepherds are tasked with

discerning the motives and character of those within the flock. Through
careful observation and evaluation, they safeguard the congregation from

false teachers and divisive influences (Titus 1:10-16).

6. Eternal Destiny: Ultimately, the separation of sheep from goats has

eternal implications. Those who belong to God will inherit eternal life, while

those who reject Him will face judgment and eternal separation (Matthew

25:31-46).

In summary, the separation of sheep from goats underscores God's

sovereignty, discernment, and judgment over His creation. It emphasizes the

importance of true worship, righteousness, and belonging to God's flock. As

believers, we are called to discern and uphold God's truth, protecting the

flock from divisive influences and ensuring that we are counted among His

chosen sheep.