What is a Christian? We are burdened and not alone in our belief that the modern church, in its eagerness to bring in the masses during a time of increasing godlessness and secularism (certainly a worthy motive), has weakened its influence in the world by not giving a careful, scriptural answer to the most basic Bible question of all: “What is a true Christian?” John the Baptist’s message of  “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:1), was also the message of Jesus (Matt. 4:17), and also of the Apostles, who insisted to their hearers  “that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance” (Acts 26:20).

One of the most significant characteristics of our Savior’s earthly ministry — a theme found in nearly all of His parables — was His continual challenge for His hearers to examine their hearts to be sure their devotion to God was genuine. This was nothing new, for centuries earlier, Jeremiah had pressed that same theme when he said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.  Who can know it?”  Perhaps Jesus’ most sober warning is found in Matthew 7:22-23:  “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”

Read the rest of this entry »