The Hallmark Of Authentic Christian Faith

If a man say, I love God, and hateth, he is a liar: 

for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen,

 how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 

1John 1:4:20-21

Beloved, let us love one another: 

for love is of God; and every one that loveth 

is born of God, and knoweth God. 

He that loveth not knoweth not God; 

for God is love.

1John 4:7-8

     The love of God is "agape'" that is, it is God's principled love, not just brotherly love as is indicated by the Greek word "phleo." Authentic Christianity is manifested in "agape'" love. Practical Authentic Christianity is manifested in a new life, one that is spiritual, that is, not just intellectual and moral, rather a supernatural, that is distinct from the natural; furthermore, it is a life of holiness, one that has peace and a union, a communion with God Who is the Father of all; this includes the Only Begotten Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. When grows in their life, to become sanctified more and more, a person's inmost center of their personality is changed, they are emancipated from the dominion of sin. More than all that, they are brought into a vital union with God. All emotions, the use of free will, that is free choice, their intellect, all are transformed to become the temple of God. Authentic Christian Faith is a purifying, ennobling, even a regulating force upon all the faculties of man. 

     There is a main difference between Authentic Christianity and all other religions of the world. It is true that all religions practice, at least in theory, virtue and piety. Authentic Christian Faith does more, it sets a standard of love, a love for God, not just for self. This love of God is not some abstract doctrine so as to keep a person to have a hope, or to have an effort to be a "good" person, no, it is an absolute fact founded in the person of Jesus Christ. It is Jesus Christ who has set forth as an example for us to follow, it is by Him which gives us the power through His influence by means of the Holy Spirit that resides in all Authentic Christians that give the ability over the power and influence that are of the world. It is true that other religions have "good" deeds and even moral philosophy have abled nations to regenerate and conquer the world. This is very true of Christianity. Christianity has done this and is doing this at this very moment. Think on this: even the wisest, the best nations, and governments who have demonstrated moments of "good" deeds, also are the ones that sanctioned slavery, polygamy, concubinage, oppression, revenge, infanticide. What they have shown by their "good" deeds are overshadowed by their conduct. 

     The development of character determines our actions, how we exercise life, so if our education, our development is from that which has shown to be evil, corrupt, even with all the "good" words, or deeds, then we will exercise the same in some manner. Now, if you character is being formed into the image of Jesus Christ who lived what He taught, from His birth to His death, One who is above reproach, or even suspicion, and to have shown us that is is the purest  and wisest being that ever appeared here on earth, then should we not allow our character development to from Him?     

     The Christian Church may degenerate by the hands of sinful men and women, but the life of Jesus, His teachings, His commands and precepts are never-failing, a fountain in the purification of our lives. Some are teaching of having become perfect in this life, but this is not possible for our life is still one of imperfection. The perfect life is one that is in harmony with God, and a devotion to the welfare of others, and to pass this to others, especially to our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. We are to, that is, if we are to be Authentic Christians, become an imitation of the life of Jesus Christ. 

     If we compare the Church today with the Apostolic Churches, that which I have been doing in my current blogs, and to see the actual condition you will see a contrast, a startling contrast, such as that between a green oasis, and a barren desert. Clement of Rome speaks: ""Let him who has love in Christ keep the commandments of Christ. Who can describe the [blessed] bond of the love of God? What man is able to tell the excellence of its beauty, as it ought to be told? The height to which love exalts is unspeakable. Love unites us to God. Love covers a multitude of sins. (Jas. v. 20; 1 Pet. iv. 8.) Love beareth all things, is long-suffering in all things. (Comp. 1 Cor. xiii. 4,) etc. There is nothing base, nothing arrogant in love. Love admits of no schisms: love gives rise to no seditions: love does all things in harmony. By love have all the elect of God been made perfect; without love nothing is well-pleasing to God. In love has the Lord taken us to Himself. On account of the Love he bore us, Jesus Christ our Lord gave His blood for us by the will of God; His flesh for our flesh, and His soul for our souls. )[Comp. Irenæus, v. 1; also Mathetes, Ep. to Diognetus, cap. ix.])." 

I will love them that love Me;

     and those that seek Me early (diligently)

shall find Me.

                   Proverbs 8:17

Love is not just a noun, it is a verb

Richard L. Crumb