Marks of a True Christian

Bible Reading: Psalm 63

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you: my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1)

What is the primary mark of one who is born again? Like David, the bottom of their hearts desires will consist of one thing alone; to know and be with God. When we dig down to the very pit of our hearts, what desire lays at the foundation? What are you most passionate about? What stirs your deepest affections? 

Many times we fool ourselves. We say we love God, yet our hearts are cold to God. Instead of the person of God, we search for God’s blessings to fill us. Maybe our deepest desire is for family, or memory-making with friends, or money and pride. Test yourself; if you could only keep one thing in your life, what would it be? That one thing will be the thing that most satisfies you. Will that one thing be a growing relationship to know God?

When we talk about desiring God, we get a little insight into what that means in v. 5-6. David says, “My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night”. 

How is a true Christian’s desire manifested? It is revealed in his/her desire to be fully satisfied in God. We try to be satisfied with many things, and you can name all the things that bring satisfaction to yourself. Are you a friend to the satisfaction David speaks of? Do you know the joy and fulfilment David has in the Lord? 

A true Christian sets their heart to seek God. Seeking God means forsaking the world. A true Christian will leave behind all other desires of their heart and trust God fully to satisfy them even though they have never experienced it before. The amazing thing is when you are serious about committing to God, He will reveal Himself to us existentially and experientially. 

David says, “So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you” (Psalm 63:2-3). Have we ever beheld God’s glory and power in our lives experientially? It was not Scripture theory for David. He really understood what God’s steadfast love was. He really beheld its value better than life. Are these moments and experiences ours as well? 

David knew God had been his help. David knew that under the shadow of God’s wings, he could rest and be joyful. He knew that as he clung to God, God’s almighty and sovereign right hand was upholding him. David knew God from walking with God. He experienced all these things in the ups and downs of life, and because of these, he could boldly praise God continuously. Do we know God? Do praises flow from our souls? 

If these are in your heart, rejoice greatly and rise to praise God as David did. If these are not, earnestly seek God today. When you feel that you cannot seek God earnestly, earnestly ask God for an earnest heart. Put your complete trust in Him, and turn away from sin. Indeed, He will be your guide and will reveal Himself to You. As Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart”. And when you do, then realise that all this seeking and earnestness never came from yourself, but truly, God had been working in You the whole time. Praise God!

Lord, thanks for the marks of a true Christian. Thank You that we can come to know You because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Thank You for Your Spirit that works this gospel truth in our lives to bring forth faith. Help me to know You. Give me experiential knowledge of You. Don’t let me be content with just the theory. Shape my deepest desire to be to know You personally and be satisfied in You. Thank You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.