In our world of fake everything, news, looks, and even actions, it’s hard to distinguish the real from the fake. It’s become an art to take the fake and make it appear real. A plastic surgeon can remake a person to look like another person. With super animation and computer graphics, most of the things around us may be fake, and we may not be able to know the difference. We cover up our own identity by putting up facades in public. We seem to have it all together when inside we are falling apart. That’s the world we live in!
In the book of I John he is on a quest to show us reality. He shows us that reality is in the Person of Jesus Christ, not in things, or external relationships. So, how do we know we are living the “real” life in Christ? What are the things we need to look for in our lives?
We must first start with God himself. He desires that we know Him as He is. God made himself known to us in a greater way by sending His Son to dwell among us. The greatest revelation of God is Jesus. God in the flesh. The word manifested simply means “to make known.” He allowed us to see God in the flesh for 33 years. Jesus never did anything that was contrary to what the Father would do. He tells His disciples in John 14:9 that if they have seen Him, they have seen the Father. In other words, Jesus’ characteristics, actions, and words are the same as the Father’s.
I John 1:2 “(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)”
John 14:9 “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
God not only revealed Himself to us through His Son, but He also allowed us to experience Him through the Holy Spirit. We can experience the real Christian life after we have surrendered our life to Him and repented of our sins. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within those who are real disciples of Jesus Christ. When Jesus was getting ready to go the cross, He assured His disciples He would send the Holy Spirit to dwell within them.
John 14:16 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”
I John 5:9-13 teaches us how we can know that we have been born again.
I John 5:9-13 “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”
If we are real Christians, there will be some marks that distinguish us as a child of God. First, we will live a righteous life. If we are righteous, we will be doing the things that are right toward God, our families, our neighbors, and anyone we meet. Because of the love God showed us, we will love him and want to do right to please Him.
I John 2:29 “If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that everyone that doeth righteousness is born of him.”
If we are truly saved, we will not live a life that is characterized by sin. We will not be habitually sinning. The verse in I John 3:9 does not mean we will never sin again. We all fail, but it will not define us. We will feel the weight of our sin, repent, and seek to change.
I John 3:9 “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”
True Christians love one another. The love that we show to one another is a witness to others that we are real.
John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
A real Christian overcomes the world. The world philosophies, nor the customs or precepts of the world, do not rule the true Christian. It matters not to him what others think about his desire to follow His Savior. He is confident in His relationship with Jesus and is determined to follow in the steps of Jesus.
I John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
So how are you measuring up? Are you real? Years ago there was a phrase that Christians used that challenged me to examine myself. The phrase was “if you were on trial, and accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Where is your evidence?
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