Two Marks of a Christian

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 11
In the First Epistle of John, the Apostle furnishes us with the two marks whereby we may know those that are of God,
“In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” 1 John 3:1010In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (1 John 3:10).
Here we have the two grand characteristics of the eternal life of which all true believers are possessed, namely, “righteousness” and “love” – the outward and the inward. Both must be combined.
Some professing Christians are all for love, so called, and some for righteousness. Neither can exist, in a divine way, without the other. If that which is called love exist without practical righteousness, it will, in reality, be but a lax, soft, easy-going habit of mind, which will tolerate all manner of error and evil.
If that which is called righteousness exists without love, it will be a stern, proud, pharisaic, self-sufficient temper of soul, resting upon the miserable basis of personal reputation. But where the divine life is in energy, there will ever be the inward charity, combined with genuine practical righteousness. The two elements are essential in the formation of true Christian character.