Today, loyalty tests are intended to show if you are true to your convictions and beliefs. As a music fan, people will frequently determine your fandom if you listen to obscure demo tapes of your favorite bands or if you have a special edition album and saw them in concert before they were famous. The same type of test has taken root in politics, corporations, and even faith. As Christians, throughout history, we have subjected others and been subjected to many tests to determine if someone is a “true Christian.” However, each instance of implementing something like this has caused a split in the church. While Christians have varying beliefs on many issues, none of us stand in any position to declare absolute authority in doctrine; instead, to follow Christ, our oaths and words should be replaced with our love and care for one another and dedication to worship and prayer.
Following God is not about doing what others think, it requires us to set aside what everyone else might think, and give it all to God in worship. Each step toward testing based on the proper doctrine needs to be measured against how Paul told us in Romans about how a Christian should treat others.
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.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ro 12:9–21.
To follow Christ requires each one of us to set aside any anything that is forced or imitating anything that doesn’t fulfill our true intention in coming to faith. The way we live must glorify God, and we cannot act as people that just go through the motions to live such that we mimic what we think other Christians think we should do. The more that we do this the more we look like someone posing as a Christian, rather than actually living in the way that God requires. Paul opens up this passage by telling us, “Let love be genuine.” True love cannot be faked, we cannot pose as someone that loves someone, rather our hearts must be transformed to look more like Christ. Christ’s heart when encountered evil, He fought against it, not by destroying people, but by sacrificing His own freedom to overcome evil.
Typically, a test differentiates us from others, and isolates the person that passes from those that fail. However, because of sin in our lives we have all failed and fall short of the level necessary to pass the test on our own. Therefore, the Christ follower doesn’t strive to disqualify people from God’s Kingdom, but instead necessitates all disciples to bring others into the love of God. Paul reminds us that even those that oppose us must be welcomed in, and we show God’s love more by acting as a contrast to the way they treat us. Thus any tests for following Christ aren’t for us to administer to others, but rather they measure us against the standard to which we hold ourselves.
Ultimately, the test we must pass is treating one another in such a way that we communicate the Gospel regardless of the person. Is someone hurting? Then we must grant them comfort. Is there injustice in our world? Our mission is to bring justice and peace. No matter the circumstances where people find themselves, a follower of Christ always brings HOPE to the table, they always bring peace to the world, and in all things they strive for unity and sharing the love of God. Are you a true follower of Christ? Good, then do as Christ instructs you, not for my sake, or the sake of others, but for the spread and sharing of the Gospel with the world.
Horizon Community Church 