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Jesus warned that there would be people who seemed to be Christians but were false. Jesus said that these persons would not inherit Heaven (Matthew Chapter 7). God is Love and gave His Only Son so we can inherit Heaven (John 3:16; Romans 8:32). The Bible clearly shows what a True Christian is inside and outside. This article reviews those scriptures where God informs what is needed (those fruits Jesus described) to enter the narrow gates of Heaven.
They had everybody fooled. The Church thought that they had given a big offering to God. God eventually revealed how false and dishonest they were (Acts 5:1-11). The King James Bible talks about wheat and tares. It can be very difficult to distinguish between (divide) a false and true Christian. The Bible is a sharp two edge sword which has no trouble dividing (distinguish) truth and falsehood (hyprocisy). This article gives the Bible's definition of both a false and true Christian.
In Matthew Chapter 7 Jesus differentiated between False and True Christians. Let's examine Matthew 7:13-20:
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are raveningwolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them".
Ananias and Sapphira found out that God isnot interested in outward displays of Godliness. God is interested in the inward man/woman (person-who you really are). This inward part of you and me must be guided by the Holy Ghost of God (Acts 5:1-11; Matthew 7:15-16; 2 Corinthians 4:16).
So how do we change our "insides (who we really are)" to affect our outsides? We must ask Jesus to come into our lives as our Lord and Savior (John 3:1-16). We must also ask God for the Holy Ghost to help us change (Luke 11:13). We must also become familiar with the Bible. The Bible tells us what God hates and what God loves (Proverbs 6:16; John 3:16). We then must diligently strip off the things about us that God hates (Hebrews 11:6) and replace those things with the things of God's Spirit.
This article will list the six areas that the Bible counsels sincere Christians to cultivate intheir lives:
1) Unquestionable Trust In God (Which is Faith)
2) Things Christians Should Always Think About
3) The Fruit of God's Spirit
4) The Armor of God
5) The Mind of Jesus Christ
6) The Peace of God
This article will now give a fuller explanation to the six areas of the Christians personality which is to be cultviated:
1) Unquestionable Trust In God-Seasoned Christian know to believe what the Word (the Holy Bible) says no matter what is occurring in the physical world. We walk by Faith and not by sight, sound, touch or anything perceived in this physical realm of God's creation (2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrew 11:1-5).
2) Things Christians Should Always Think About (Philippians 4:8)-Things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous, and/or praise worthy-We must totally eliminate anything from our minds, hearts, lives, thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:4-7) and who we really are that isnot on this Godly "list". We must constanly and daily feed (and retrain) our minds on what God feeds us. Prayer, the Holy Ghost, and Godly associations will greatly help us!
3) The Fruit of God Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith Meekness, Temperance- As we begin to "get our minds right" with God and cultivate the Fruit of God's Spirit, it will become obvious that we are really true Christians of God on our way to Heaven (Matthew 7:13-14, 16-20; Galatians 5:22-23).
4) The Armor of God is Loins Girted with Truth (God's Bible Truth John 17:17; John 4:24), Breastplate of Righteousness (God's Righteousness), Feet Shod With The Preparation Of The Gospel Of Peace (Kingdom Of Jesus Christ), The Shield Of Faith (Hebrews 11:1), The Sword of God's Spirit Which Is The Holy Word Of God (Hebrews 4:11-12), Praying And Supplicating In The Spirit, Caring About And Praying For The Saints Of God (Ephesians 6:10-18)- Anything coming from Satan's Dark Kingdom will have trouble succeeding when a Christian becomes Spirit (John 4:24) as opposed to just being a Christian by name (Matthew 4:10-11).
5) The Mind of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5-10)-is Humility, Shame For God's Will, Sacrifice Unto Death, Loving Others, Caring For Others, Dying For Others, Obeying God Unto Death, Total Devotion To God's Kingdom, Serving God, and Serving Others-When Our Mind and Will Is Always On Pleasing God We Will Of Course Produce The Fruits Needed To Enter Heaven (Matthew 7:13-20; Galatians 5:19-23).
6) The Peace Of God (Philippians 4:6-8)-The Bible Instructs Christians To Pray To God About Everything And Not To Worry About Anything. God Is The Father Who Loves Us (John 3:16) And He Promises Never To Leave Us Or Forsake Us (Hebrews 13:5-6). The Bible Also Advises Us To Pray For The Holy Ghost's Presence Which Is The Peace And The Wisdom Of God. The Peace Of God Is Total Calmness And Belief That God Is In Control And Will Work Things Out For Our Spiritual (And In Many Cases Physical) Benefit (Romans 8:28). You Can See A Seasoned Christian Face Death (Or Anguish) Smiling And Engaging In Fun Activities. They Have Placed Their Full Trust In God (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Although we are are "born in sin" and don't always imitate Jesus Christ (Psalm Chapter 51, Romans 5:12), a sincere Christian is actually not hard to discern. The Book of James tells us that it is the Holy Bible which acts as a mirror to "expose" true and/or false Christians.
So what should we do when we realize that we are not removing sin from our lives and cultivating the Spirit (John 4:24)? Just smile and remember that God Loves You and Me (John 3:16). Right now pray to God and ask for His forgiveness of your sins and His Holy Ghost to help you become a Spirit filled Christian servant of our Lord Jesus Christ.
You can also use this article an any other Christian Bible based literature to become a Spirit filled Christian who is on their Way to Heaven with Jesus Christ (John 14:4-7; John 3:1-16; John 4:24).
