What Identifies A True Christian?

"By this you will know that you are my deciples,
if you have love among yourselves"
- John 13:35

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love"
- Galatians 5:4-6

 Doctrinal Knowledge?

 Pastor and theologian, Jack Deer, reveals what knowing God is:

"It took me too long to learn that knowing the Bible is not the same as knowing God, loving the Bible is not the same as loving God and reading the Bible is not the same as hearing God. What I am saying is that it is possible to put almost any good thing above Jesus Christ without realizing what we are doing. We can put the Bible and its commandments above the Lord. We can put the spiritual gifts and even various kinds of worship above the Lord. We can put various forms of ministry-witnessing, caring for the poor, praying for the sick-above the Lord. The essence of all of life is loving God and then loving his people." (Matthew 22:36-40) (3)

The bible is clear on certain moral codes for salvation, such as the restrictions on murder, stealing, adultery, lying and other hurtful acts against humanity. It is also clear on certain theological doctrines, such as having faith in Christ Jesus, his resurrection, his ransom for mankind and his mediatorship for mankind to God. But are knowing these theological doctrines necessary for salvation? And what about other doctrines in the bible, which are not so clear? Is having correct theological knowledge a requirement? Is belief or non belief on doctrinal issues such as the trinity, hellfire, immortality of the soul, 144,000, heaven or earth destinations, the rapture, God's name and much more, the identifying mark of true Christians ? Are unity on these doctrinal points necessary for salvation?

Apostle Paul stated to the Corinthian congregation that they:

"Should all speak in agreement and that there should not be divisions among you, but that you many be fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought." 1 Cor 1:10

Was this about doctrinal issues with all having unity on the same theological interpretations of various scriptural knowledge? The context shows it not to be about doctrinal teachings, but rather shows Paul to be speaking about the divisions of the Corinthians in being divided, some following men, others solely the Christ. Some were following the direction of Apostle Paul, others Cephas, therefore "the Christ exists divided." They lacked true unity in being divided to following different men. The same is true today where persons identify themselves with a certain Christian denomination made of men, with their group interpretations of scriptures, reasoning's and name labels, such as "Baptist," "Lutheran," "Catholic," "Presbyterian" & etc., instead of individually identifying themselves solely with Christ. Therefore the "Christ exists divided." What Apostle Paul was appealing for was not a total uniformity of understanding of each and every point in scripture, but rather for the putting aside of divisive attitudes that were splitting them up into fractions, so that they could be of a united disposition and outlook. Not uniformity on every doctrinal issue and certainly not a humanly imposed uniformity by a supposed "slave class" religious counsel or group of men. (1 Corinthians 1:10-17)

What about doctrinal knowledge ? Many denominations, along with Jehovah's Witnesses say that this is one of the identifying marks of Jesus' true deciples and they will quote Apostle Paul, who when speaking about the Jews stated

"They have a zeal for God, but not according to accurate knowledge." Rom 10:2

But if you simply read the context, in two verses later, in verse 4, it can be shown that it is not detailed doctrinal knowledge with interpretive explanations that Paul is speaking about, rather this "accurate knowledge" is,

"For the goal at which the law (Torah) aims is the Christ, who offers righteousness to everyone who has faith." Romans 10:4

 For Christ is the end of those establishing righteousness by the decrees, regulations and works of sacrifices of the old covenant pronounced in the law, so that everyone exercising faith in him may have righteousness. This is the "accurate knowledge" that Paul is speaking about and the basic doctrine for salvation, not one of the thousands of unclear doctrines and zig zagging interpretations of many churches and of the Watchtower such as 1914, the other sheep class, the great crowd, blood components, employment on a military base, joining the YMCA & etc. Instead the "love of Christ surpasses all of this knowledge" And this "love," small acts of individual mercy shown to others, is what we are to "add to our faith." (Eph 3:19; Romans 10:1-4; 2 Peter 1:5-8)

 Others state Jesus words at John 4:24, that we must:

"Worship God in spirit and truth." John 4:24

What is the "truth" Jesus is speaking about? It is as Jesus said:

"I am the way, the 'truth' and the life." John 14:6

He is the "truth" and the only way to get to the father, God, not the thousands of doctrinal interpretations that change from year to year because of supposed "new light" or understanding. The "truth" of Jesus Christ is known as the "sacred secret of God." He is the gift God gave mankind, for those who put faith in him. The requirements for mankind are faith and love. Without both, neither one is valid. (1 Tim 3:16)

  "For "the bearing witness to Jesus is what inspires prophesy." Rev 19:10

It is only faith in this man that pertains to the sacred secret. It has absolutely nothing to do with the believing or unbelieving of the thousands of unclear teachings and manmade interpretations such as the rapture, the year 1914, the trinity, the use of the tetragramaten, a faithful and discreet slave class, ... a literal kingdom government of God and much, much more. However, this faith must be accompanied by works of love and mercy towards our fellow man. Apostle John states the meaning of this "sacred secret" in 1 John:

"He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." 1 John 3:23

"Everyone who loves, both knows God and is born from God," for "God is love." 1 John 4:7-8

"This is God's commandment, that we have faith in the name of his son Jesus Christ and be loving one another." 1 John 5:12