How Genuine Christianity Is Revealed by Self-Sacrificing Love

Summary

Counterfeit products help us recognize the value of what is genuine, and the same is true in Christianity. Many reject Christ because of hypocritical believers, yet genuine Christians are marked by consistent, self-sacrificing love. Paul identified voluntary generosity as a test of authentic faith. Jesus Himself is the supreme example, willingly suffering so others could share in God’s glory.

It is increasingly difficult to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit products. Buying fake items supports organized crime and often creates safety issues. For example, a large percentage of toys sold on third-party sites are unsafe for children because of dangerous chemicals or choking issues.

Spelling errors in online product descriptions, labels, or website addresses identify counterfeit items. So does cheap packaging.

The product is probably counterfeit if the design, product description, price, or dimensions are significantly different than those on the manufacturer's website.

Be cautious of third-party sites and always check buyer reviews. Reject sellers if the URL does not begin with HTTPS or contact information is scarce, such as no email address.1 

Counterfeits Reveal the Value of the Genuine

It isn’t fitting for someone who buys a counterfeit product to condemn the genuine. If, for example, someone buys a fake pair of Jordan 1 Lucky Green, it is unfair to say the real thing has shoddy workmanship.

The Charge Against Christianity

Nevertheless, people dismiss Christianity because of the behavior of counterfeit Christians. They reject Jesus and His church because of “all the hypocrites in the church.”

Genuine Faith Looks Different

I admit that genuine Christians have days and times that poorly represent their Lord. Been there and done that. But most days and times, they live differently from those who don’t profess Christ or do but don’t follow Him. Sacrificial love sets genuine believers apart.

Paul’s Test of Genuine Love

The Apostle Paul instructed the Christians in Corinth to set aside funds to be collected to benefit struggling believers in Jerusalem. He didn’t insist they participate in this project. It was voluntary. He said he was checking how genuine their love was compared to other churches' funding of this project.

“I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich” (2 Corinthians 8:8-9 NLT).

Jesus as the Ultimate Example

Paul described Jesus as the model of eager, generous, self-sacrificial love revealed by His becoming poor for their sake so they could become rich. Jesus became poor by laying aside His divine privileges and becoming human while remaining fully God. He didn’t do it reluctantly.

How far He stooped and what He sacrificed for us are incomprehensible. We can’t begin to imagine it.

But His reason for doing it is clear. He became like us so we could become like Him—sons and daughters of God, heirs of God’s glory.

How Genuine Christianity Is Revealed

“And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering” (Romans 8:17 NLT). Genuine Christians keep doing good, even if they must suffer while doing it.

Jesus is our model. “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21 NLT). Self-sacrificing love is how genuine Christianity is revealed.

1.     How to spot counterfeit goods

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