If someone works on cars and fixes them properly, what are they? They are a mechanic. If someone plows a field, sows, waters, and reaps it, what are they? They are a farmer. Their works and what they produce show what they are.
Now, if someone claims to be a mechanic, but when you get your car back from the shop and it doesn’t run, are they truly a mechanic? They might have a fancy shop with all of the tools, but if they can’t and don’t fix your car, then they are not what they claim to be.
Someone who follows and obeys the teachings of Christ are what? They are Christians, and you will know they are Christians by the way they live and if they are obedient to the Bible.
“Christian” definition: “a person who believes in Jesus Christ and follows His teachings.”
But what about those who say that they are a Christian, but the things that they do don’t agree with the things that are written in the Bible?
We need to beware of those who claim to be followers of Christ, but their works show something different. They might try to seem like they are a Christian, but their works deny His teachings. When Jesus says to be forgiving with each other, but they don’t or won’t forgive someone who repents and asks to be forgiven, are they really a follower of Christ? Jesus Himself commands that we forgive others, just as God forgives us. (Matthew 6:12,15, Matthew 18:21-22).
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
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.” Matthew 7:15-20
When Jesus teaches to love your neighbor, but someone doesn’t, are they really a Christian? Their works prove otherwise.
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” Titus 1:16
The apostle Paul’s works were evident in his life and all the things that he did. He started many churches all over the place, and wrote a large portion of the New Testament. When he was a Pharisee, he used to persecute Christians, and when he became a Christian himself, he went through persecution as well. Paul didn’t just claim to be a Christian-he was one and his works proved it.
Just because someone claims to be something doesn’t make them that. Someone can claim to be a lawyer and have a plaque on the wall but if they don’t know the law, they really aren’t a lawyer. If you closed your eyes and grabbed a piece of fruit from a bowl, opened them, and saw an apple in your hand, you know that it came from an apple tree. Just the same, when you see someone’s works, and they don’t line up with the teachings of the Bible, you know that they are not a Christian. If they continuously refuse to and will not obey a command or teaching found in the Bible, then their works prove that they are not a Christian.
Let your fruits be known to all men. Let everyone see the way that you live and know that you are a Christian.
In Christ,
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 