Characteristics of Christianity

By: Ptr Alfrefdo M. Inso Jr.

Introduction

Our World consist of 2 Major Religions, known as: Christianity and Islam (although there are religions like buddhism & etc. but they are minor compared to Christianity and Islam). In Christianity there is the Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. But Protestantism were divided into many groups like a broken piececs of glass, due to their different views and interpretations of Scriptures, in doctrines, in theology or even in different standards of living (culture and custom).

But do we really know what true Christianity is or we may call it Biblical Christianity? What are the characteristics of true Christianity? Because you can rarely hear and meet people who don’t call themselves Christians. Almost people here in this world called themselves and even identified themselves as Christians if they are not Muslims. And they will proudly say that they are belong to the religion of Christianity.

However, are they or are we as the Bible says, “..A chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that we may declare the praises of Him who called us from darkness into His marvelous light?” (1 Pe 2:9).

I have here some lists of the characteristics of true Christianity. Note that without Christ there is no Christianity. Christianity begins when Christ came into this world.

1. New Birth - Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except

a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter

into the kingdom of God.

Born Again is not a religion. But Jesus said unto Nicodemu, “You must” unless you are, you cannot see the kingdom of heaven. Without being born of God is no Christianity at all. If you wonder even the Roman Catholic now was calling themselves “born again catholics.” They don’t even know what born again means.

2. Growth - 2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord

and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and

forever. Amen.

True Christianity grows in the grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and not in deceitfulness and in doctrines of demons nor in the doctrines and traditions of men. Their knowledge grows from wrong docrines taught by the founder and leaders of their religions.

3. New Garments - Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul

shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the

garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe

of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with

ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her

jewels.

Different groups of religions are usually known and identified through their outer garments/dress (long dress etc). I am not saying that this is wrong, the Scriptures in fact says “In modest apparel.” But it’s not a guarantee, because one may wore a modest apparel but don’t have an inner garment of righteousness and holiness, having put on Christ, having a gentle and quite spirit which is the true beauty. True Christianity are identified both by their inner garments as well as their outer garments and not wearing of shorty shorts and less-supply clothes having a defiled life and digracefull testimony among unbelievers.

4. A Radiant Life - Mt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may

see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in

heaven.

The effect and the fruit of our salvation is by showing our good works before men and not reproachable (salawayon) among men. God chose us prepared us and created us in Christ Jesus to do good works. And by these good works God will be glorified and not be dishonored.

5. Character Building – Mt 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings

of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man,

which built his house upon a rock:

True Christianity shows not just hearing what God said but actually and lovingly and joyfully doing it. They build their caharacter by hearing and doing what God says in His word. They built it upon a rock that even floods of temptations and storms of trials may come it will not fall down.

6. A Fellowship - Lu 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart

burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while

he opened to us the scriptures? (Heb. 10:25; 1 Jo 1:5-7)

7. Sonship - Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to

become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his

name:

8. Education - Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him,

If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

9. A Service – 1Ti 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in

good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

10. A Sacrifice - Ro 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of

God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,

acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

That’s the true Christianity is, it is a matter of a self sacrifice unto God, a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service, our spiritual worship. In Christianity your body, soul and spirit is a sacrifice, it’s not already yours it is God’s belonging.

11. Walking in Christ - Col 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus

the Lord, so walk ye in him:

This is the true mark of Christianity – a Christ like life. Imitating Christ and not the world. Christ should manifest in our very lives. Look at your selves can you see Christ in you? Are you in such a way becoming more like Christ? Or we are becoming more like the world! We bare the name of Christ and Christianity, but Christ is not manifested in our daily walk, in conversation, in thought, in heart, in deeds. We have bunch of names and a name to live but dead. Christ is not even recognized in us, in our family, in school, in work.

12. A Spiritual Warfare - 1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold

on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast

professed a good profession before many witnesses.

13. A Race – Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about

with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every

weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us

run with patience the race that is set before us,

14. A Victory – 1Jo 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:

and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our

faith.

15. An Assurance of Immortality/Eterna Life - Joh 17:3 And this is life

eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and

Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Are these characteristics can be seen in us as Christians bearing the religion of the true Christianity? Or it’s just a mere profession but not a sincere religion. The problem of Christians in Christianity now a days are impurity of life and laxity of faith. We have a name to live but less life. Examine your selves therefore whether we are in the faith or not. God knows who are His’. God bless us all.