Characteristics of a Real Christian

Text: Acts 11:22-26; 26:27-29; 1 Peter 4:15-16

Introduction: Three passages in the New Testament which mention the word 
“Christian.”  I want to study with you at this time “Some Characteristics 
of a Real Christian.”  This is a very important study…because of the 
universal ignorance concerning it.

If one were to ask, “What is a Christian?”, no doubt the one questioned 
would answer by saying that a Christian is a follower of Christ.  That 
would be a hundred percent correct, but if one were to ask, “What does 
one have to do in order to follow Christ”, many people would not know.
In order to gain the most from a lesson of this type we must see if we 
can apply the lesson to our selves.

  I. In the first place I suggest that a Christian is one who 
     has obeyed the gospel of Christ and has been made free from 
     sin.
     1. Romans 6:16-18 – “Know ye not, that to whom ye present 
        yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye 
        are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of 
        obedience unto righteousness?  But thanks be to God, 
        that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became 
        obedient from the heart to that form of teaching 
        whereunto ye were delivered; and being then made free 
        from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.”
     2. When were they made free from sin?
     3. Then:

 II. A real Christian is one who has implicit faith in God.
     1. Hebrews 11:6
     2. Does one have to please God to be a Christian?
     3. John 8:24 – “I said therefore unto you that ye shall die 
        in your sins; for if ye believe not that I am he, ye 
        shall die in your sins.”
     4. Faith must also contain trust.
     5. Implicit faith works by love.
        1. Galatians 5:6 – “For in Christ Jesus neither 
           circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; 
           but faith working through love.”
        2. Faith only is not enough.
           a. You might say, “but Paul says in Romans 5:1, 
              ‘Therefore being justified by faith we have peace 
              with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.’”
           b. James 2:24 states the opposite – “Ye see then how 
              that works a man is justified and not by faith 
              only.”
        3. It takes both Faith and Works.

III. A real Christian is one who diligently studies the Bible.
     1. 1 Timothy 4:13 – “Till I come, give heed to reading, to 
        exhortation, to teaching.”
     2. 2 Timothy 2:15 – “Study to show thyself approved unto 
        God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly 
        dividing the word of truth.”
     3. 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 – “Moreover, brethren, I would not 
        that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers 
        were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 
        and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the 
        sea.”
     4. Proverbs 15:28 – “The heart of the righteousness 
        studieth to answer; but the mouth of the wicked poureth 
        out evil things.
     5. Cannot be perfected if we do not have a knowledge of 
        Bible.
        1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is given by 
           inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, 
           for reproof, for correction, for instruction in 
           righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, 
           thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

 IV. A true Christian lives what he teaches.
     1. Romans 2:21-22 – “Thou therefore that teachest another, 
        teachest thou not thyself? thou that preaches a man 
        should not steal, dost thou steal? thou that sayest a 
        man should not commit adultery, does thou commit 
        adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou rob 
        temples?
     2. A Christian is a new creature. 2 Corinthians 5:17
     3. His light is to shine. Matthew 5:13-16
     4. Titus 2:7-8 – “In all things showing thyself a pattern 
        of good works; in doctrine showing uncorruptness, 
        gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be 
        condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be 
        ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”

  V. A Real Christian is one who is faithful to worship God.

 VI. A real Christian is interested in saving souls.
     1. Christ said in:
     2. Luke 2:49 – “How is it that ye sought me?  Knew ye not 
        that I must be about my Father’s business?”
     3. John 9:4 – “I must work the works of him that sent me, 
        while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can 
        work.”
     4. John 17:4 – “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have 
        finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”
     5. That was the spirit of Christ.
     6. A Christian is a follower of Christ.
     7. Therefore, that spirit must be characteristic of a 
        person or he cannot be a Christian.
     8. Paul said, “No if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, 
        he is none of His” Romans 8:9.

Conclusion:
1. We must be about our Father’s business.
2. We must work the works of God.
3. Can we truthfully say to our great and almighty God, “I have 
   glorified thee on the earth; I have finished the work which 
   thou gavest me to do.”