How to recognize a true ChristianDr. French O'Shields

Recently I confessed that I have not bought many new cars, but numerous used ones. Yet I have never acquired the knowledge or skill of how to judge a good used car.

Oh, I have learned a few tricks, such as kicking the tires. Why? I am not sure. The only thing I usually get is a sore big toe. I know to pull the dipstick and look at the oil. Honestly, I don't have a clue as to what I am looking for. Of course, I have been told to pull the transmission fluid stick and smell it. How does good transmission fluid smell compared to bad? My nose apparently does not have mechanical instincts. If while I am test-driving it, the engine quits running, I raise the hood and stare at it. If that doesn't help, I am through. Once test-driving a car, one of the wheels broke off and rolled down a field. No, I did not forget to kick the tires before the test drive.

Some used cars I bought served me well; others didn't. Once when I was shopping for a used car, I took a mechanic with me to avoid buying a lemon. Much to my chagrin it turned out to be the worst used car I ever bought.

All these experiences convinced me that evaluating the condition of a used car is a very difficult task, even for the "experts." But I also learned this is not one of life's greatest dilemmas or tragedies. You make your choice, pay your money and take your chances. Like athletic games, you win a few, lost a few, and some get rained out.

It is vastly more important to be able to tell a true Christian believer from one who thinks he is or pretends to be. It is also much easier. A real true Christian believer will be different from others. They have not only been called but empowered by God to be different. Their life is a process of having the characteristics of Jesus reproduced in them.

These characteristics are many. These stories illustrate two of them. A newspaper told the story of a man in Kansas who received Christ as his Savior. As a result of becoming a Christian, the man confessed to participating in a bank robbery when he was 19 years of age. He believed the relationship with Christ demanded his confession and his voluntary repaying his share of the stolen money. A true Christian has an ATTITUDE OF REPENTANCE and a CONTRITE HEART.

A young man began working as a night manager in a grocery store. He rose through the ranks, then borrowed money and started his own chain of grocery stores. His stores are different. Families of students who earn A's and B's in school receive 10 percent discounts. Customers get free checkups for cholesterol and blood pressure. Senior citizens receive discounts. Teachers with high achievers win trips. All of his eight stores are in urban neighborhoods that were abandoned by major supermarket chains. He insists on big clean stores, reasonable prices and fresh foods. Daily he walks the aisles of his stores, helping out where needed, greeting customers and dealing with vendors. When he was seven years old he told his sister he was going to be a millionaire one day. He has reached that goal. But he has reached a higher goal: giving his life and talents in serving others. A true Christian is one whose MAIN GOAL IN LIFE IS IN SERVING GOD THROUGH SERVING OTHERS.

As our world grows more hostile toward Christians, it becomes increasingly necessary for us to know who our true brothers and sisters are. We will need each other more than ever and that involves knowing who we can trust.

(Dr. French O'Shields is a Gaffney native and a retired Presbyterian minister.)