Fruit of Authentic Christianity

Have you ever wondered why the success rate of proselytizing in developed countries are dismally low? I continually find myself astonished that the greatest obstacle does not come from the sheer denial of the Christian worldview or its fundamental tenets, but rather the uncharacteristic, inappropriate, and maligning thoughts, words, and behaviors of those who profess to be "Christians." It is when the Christian fails to "walk the talk," non-believers seriously question the veracity of our faith.

In this age of postmodernism, the Christian is bombarded with false teachings, such things like moral relativism, existentialism, materialism etc. When the Christian either intentionally or unwittingly embraces these ungodly worldviews, the knowledge of God begins to evaporate and is replaced by his/her Christianity. The orthodox adulterates into something unorthodox. The continual need for meditating of the Word has never been greater today, and the imperative of establishing a biblical worldview - the bedrock for one's spiritual growth - has become indispensable.

So, in light of all of this, I'd like to share 11 defining characteristics to help us to manifest the Christian values. Each defining characteristic is supported by relevant verses.  It is unfortunate even to differentiate authentic and inauthentic Christians, but the spirit of the times impel us to provide greater clarity into the truth. I hope you take the following descriptors seriously and live out these principles in your daily life. No one said living as a Christian is an easy feat, but our Lord is gracious and blesses those who give their entirety to Him.

 The Fruit of Authentic Christianity                                  

Love For God	Psalms 42:1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. Luke 10:27 So he answered and said, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.
Repentance from Sin	Psalms 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Proverbs 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Genuine Humility	Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart-- These, O God, You will not despise. James 4:6, 9 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
Devotion to God’s Glory	Psalms 105:3                  Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! Jeremiah 9:23, 24 Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;  But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the Lord. 1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Continual Prayer	Luke 18:1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 1 Timothy 2:1-4 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Selfless Love	1 John 2:9, He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now 1 john 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
Separation from the World	1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. James 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 1 John 2: 15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
Spiritual Growth	Luke 8:15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. Ephesians 4:12-16 For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;  that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,  but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ--  from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Obedient Living	Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. Romans 16:26 But now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made Known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith.
Hunger for God’s Word	1 Peter 2:1-3 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,  as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Psalms 1: 1-6 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.  He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.  The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.  For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Transformation of Life	2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.