can you spot a real Christian?

In America--as, I suppose, in most other so-called "Western" societies, it can be a little challenging to discern who is, and who is not, a real Christian.  Just because someone may be modestly dressed--or happens to be wearing a cross necklace (as in the above image), should not be taken as a sign that he or she is a Christian.  But you might be surprised to learn just how far a lot of people are willing to go, to be immodestly dressed, but who still want to call themselves "Christians".  (Some images in this blog post are "edgy", but not pornographic.)

The short video, below, was (apparently) produced by CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network -- a misnomer if there ever was one).  The setting is a church in Los Angeles, called "ONE LA".  The guy on the right (red pants), I suppose, is the "pastor".  I don't have a clue who the other two people are, except, I think they are both "celebrities".  This video is a very sad example of what "Christianity" in America has come to be (in the mainstream).  I never watch CBN (since I "shook off the dust--of Regent University and CBN--from my shoes", years ago).  So, watching this clip was an eye-opener for me.  It's titled, "Too Sexy for Church Appeal: When Does Cleavage Become Sinful?"  (Even the title is offensive.)

"Let me know what you think about all of this.  And, please, only positive and inspiring comments"; said the CBN news anchorwoman, at the end of the video.

O.K. then.  "I think it is positively disgusting.  And, I am inspired to pray fire down from heaven upon such filth."  How's that?

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Now, I'd like for you to watch another short video.  This one also brought me to tears; but not for the same reason as the one, above.  It's titled, "The Priceless Value of the Bible".  It is apparently based upon a true-life story.

The point I'm really trying to make, is, that it is increasingly EASY to spot a real Christian, amongst this decadent American culture.  As the wheat is even now being separated from the chaff, the differences, between real Christians and virtually everyone else, grow more obvious every day, it seems to me.

A few days ago, while walking around in a large shopping mall, I attempted to witness to an elderly black woman who was mopping the floors in the mall.  Here's how that encounter went:

"Good evening, Maam.  Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ?"

"Yes, I do."  Promptly turning to look at me--with fire in her eyes, she shot the question back to me: "Do you know him?"

"Why, yes, yes I do!"

"Well, then, how well do you know him?"

"I know him very well."

"But how well do you know him?"

"I walk with him every day."

"Come on, then, tell it!"

"I love him with all my heart: he saved my soul . . ."

"Alright, then, Brother!  Bless God, testify!"

It took me all of about 5-10 seconds to discern who she is in God; as we came instantly together, rejoicing in the Presence.  My wife chimed in, gleefully: "Ha! You've met your match!"  How glad I was, too.  We all were gladdened by that encounter.

I've concluded (based upon much experience) that if I have to talk to someone for more than a couple of minutes, trying to figure out where they are spiritually (and oftentimes even then I walk away still unsure); well, it's really very doubtful, in my mind, that such people know the Lord--even though many of them mutter some weak profession.

I think our problem is that, in America, real Christianity is about as rare as "hen's teeth"; whereas, the culture is overrunning with religious apostates (I do not glory in the fact).  Thus, we are tempted to lower our standards--not, perhaps, pertaining to our own life and faith, but pertaining to how we judge the witness (spoken and unspoken) of others who profess to be Christians.  We have so long been inclined to give people "the benefit of the doubt".  Of the "doubt"?  Maybe, we should take a hint from that.  (Do I, really, need to answer those critics who vehemently disclaim the right--indeed, the necessity--to judge anyone concerning anything?)

Yet, we had better learn, and very quickly, how to judge and to discern who is, and who is not, our Brother or Sister in Christ.  For, the time is now at hand when "many [will] be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another" (Matthew 24:10).  In order as iniquity increases and abounds throughout the culture, the love of many (more) is growing colder.  And what many sincere Christians fail to realize, is, that the closer we approach unto the end of the Age, the great Apostasy is likely to show its true colors in some very unpleasant ways.