A while back when I was writing about the marks of the true and false church I mentioned that I would like to write also about the marks of Christians. The Belgic Confession in Article 29 specifically mentions these marks.

The purpose of mentioning the marks of Christians is not to undermine the importance of emphasizing and preserving the marks of the true church. Sometimes we hear voices that go in this direction. Some say that it does not matter so much if the church you attend has all the marks, but whether the members show forth the marks of Christians. The marks of Christians would be more crucial than the marks of the church.

This is a false dilemma. The marks of the true church and the marks of Christians are deeply interwoven. Proper church membership does matter: how can I show forth the marks of Christians if these are not proclaimed to me faithfully in and upheld by the true church?

How are the Marks Connected?⤒🔗

Let me briefly show you how the marks of Christians connect with the marks of the true church.

The first mark of the true church is the pure preaching of the gospel. The first mark of Christians is "they believe in Jesus Christ, the only Saviour." Faith is the response to the preaching of the gospel. Faith is required for justification.

The second mark of the true church is the proper administration of the sacraments. These sacraments are for believers who "flee from sin and pursue righteousness." The sacraments require sanctification, the second mark of the Christian.

The third mark of the church is that it "exercises church discipline in correcting and punishing sins." The third mark of Christians is that they "love the true God and their neighbour, without turning to the right or left, and crucify their flesh and its works." This means that believers must discipline themselves and also accept the discipline of the church. This is important on the way to glorification. The marks of the church and of Christians are strongly connected.

It may well be that there are still (many) sincere, believing Christians in false churches. That's not the point. That is never the point. These Christians are called to be enjoined with other true Christians in the faithful church. That is therefore also not the point. The point in Article 29 is that the true church will lead the members to show forth the marks of Christians. A good tree brings forth much fruit. So it is with the church of Christ, his vineyard that he cherishes. To follow our Saviour's analogy: God wants grapes by the bucket-full. "This is to my Father's glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples" (John 15:8).

This also means that if there is no fruit and if Christians do not show forth the marks of the Christian there is something drastically wrong. No church may allow unrepentant sinners to share in the fellowship of God's church.

Is it Hard to Recognize a Christian?←⤒🔗

Is it hard to recognize a Christian? Not really. Christians are those who believe in Christ as their only and complete Saviour. They base themselves not on men but on Christ alone. Christians show their faith by walking in the way of God's commandments. Christians seek their strength in the grace of the Holy Spirit.

When you hear the fancy term "the marks of Christians," you might be led to think that these are outstanding features. In a sense they are: the marks give evidence that someone is truly a Christian. The marks stand out as norm of excellence and identify a Christian. But the marks of the Christians are also simple and down-to-earth requirements: faith, holiness, and perseverance.

Someone might say, "But I can't properly show forth these marks, for I am weak and sinful." The height is too lofty. Well, that is true, more than you know. It is for me also a daily disappointment that I do not come close to the marks the Lord has given me. I am unable even to gauge the depths of my sin and misery. Forsooth I am condemnable in God's sight! But my inability does not do damage to the marks themselves.

The marks of the Christian remain a standard and motivate our striving to reach higher and do better. Citius, Altius, Fortius. As much as I can be discouraged in myself, the more I am encouraged in Christ. That is the purpose of the marks of Christians. We need to progress in showing forth the marks of the Christian. Sinful behaviour can perhaps be explained, but it can never be excused.

Are you a Hypocrite?←⤒🔗

We should also note that Article 29 of the Belgic Confession mentions sects and hypocrites. We ought to distinguish between Christ's church and the many sects that exist in this world. A sect is an imitation-church. A hypocrite is an imitation Christian, a paint-saint. Not everything or everyone that covers itself with the name of Christ really deserves this name. You have to walk the talk.

This means that when presenting ourselves as true Christians and the church as true church we understand our weaknesses and limitations. There should be no perfectionism in the church. Any feeling or striving of superiority is wrong.

Of Christians it is also said, "Although great weakness remains in them, they fight against it by the Spirit all the days of their life." Being a Christian does not mean always having the upper hand over sin and Satan. Being a member of a true church does not automatically guarantee salvation. Nothing is automatic. We are to crucify our flesh. It sounds rather painful to me. I'd like to elaborate more on that element another time. Being a Christian is something that we have to work on throughout our life. A Christian who is sincerely struggling to lead a holy life is still a Christian and should be encouraged to look to Christ for strength and help. After all, it is his name that we bear.