8 For by grace are ye SAVED THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2)

Christians are saved by Grace through faith in Christ to do good works.

8 IF WE SAY THAT WE HAVE NO SIN, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1)

Christians aren't Perfect

3 And hereby we do know that we know him, IF WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. 4 He that saith, I know him, and KEEPETH NOT HIS COMMANDMENTS, IS A LIAR, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He THAT SAITH he abideth in him OUGHT HIMSELF ALSO SO TO WALK, even as he walked. (1 John 2)

Christians will essentially act like Christians

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, AND DOETH THEM, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: (Matthew 7)

Christians do what Christ says.

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 BECAUSE THOU SAYEST, I AM RICH AND INCREASED WITH GOODS, AND HAVE NEED OF NOTHING; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Christians know and express their need for Christ

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 10)

Christians proclaim Christ and are not ashamed to do so

15 there is nothing from without the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man. (Mark 7)

Christians don't focus on what goes in a person but what comes out

15 there is nothing from without the man, that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man. ...Are ye so without understanding also? Perceive ye not, that whatsoever from without goeth into the man, [it] cannot defile him; 19 because it goeth not into his heart, but into his belly, and goeth out into the draught? [This he said], making all meats clean. 20 And he said, That which proceedeth out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart/spirit of men, evil thoughts proceed, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22 covetings, wickednesses, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, railing, pride, foolishness: 23 all these evil things proceed FROM WITHIN, and defile the man." (Mark 7)

This doesn't mean that people cannot become unhealthy and die by those things that enter them.

3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? (Matthew 7)

Christians cannot see a small speck in anothers eye if they have a big log in theirs.

One with a log cannot see clearly the speck in another's eye.

Notice is DOES NOT say, that you cannot get the log out anothers eye, if you only have a speck in your eye.

In other words you don't have to be perfect in order to call sin, sin.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (Ephesians 5)

Christians should evangelize but not hang out with nonchristians or those that don't act like Christians.

And if any one will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomor'rah than for that town. (Matthew 10)

Christians shouldn't continue with people that do not listen, even if they are family. 

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4)

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the DIVISIONS and occasions of stumbling, CONTRARY TO THE DOCTRINE WHICH YE LEARNED: and TURN AWAY FROM THEM. (Romans 16, NASB)

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and AVOID THEM. (KJV)

Christians should have no fellowship with family, friends or neighbors that deny that Jesus Christ came in the flesh or deny essential doctrines.

22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. (Matthew 10)

44 "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own country." (John 4:44, NLT)

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17)

Christians will be rejected by family members and friends.

"You blind guides, STRAINING OUT A GNAT AND SWALLOWING A CAMEL! 25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and rapacity. 26 You blind Pharisee! FIRST CLEANSE THE INSIDE OF THE CUP AND OF THE PLATE, that the outside also may be clean." (Matthew 23)

https://cuf5.tripod.com/id93.html

Christians shouldn't major on the minors.

9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6)

Good Works follow those that belong to Christ.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7)

Christians look and speak like Christians

BJ Maxwell 11/07/2005