“Kung kayo’y mag-iibigan, makikilala ng lahat na kayo’y mga alagad ko.”

Juan 13:35

A friend once told me a story about a conversation she had with a churchmate noong new Christian pa lang siya.

Churchmate: Ang tunay na Christian, bawal makinig sa ibang music! Praise and worship music lang pinakikinggan!

Friend: Paano kung naka-on yung radio sa bus or jeepney pag nagko-commute ako?

Churchmate: Huwag kang makinig!

Friend: Eh ‘yung classical or instrumental music, paano kung may ganun sa isang event?

Churchmate: Basta ‘wag kang makinig!

Medyo “exag” ‘yung payo sa friend ko. But how many times have we been told (or said ourselves) something that started with “Ang tunay na Christian bawal …” or “Ang tunay na Christian hindi …”?

May mga bagay na talagang bawal at hindi natin dapat gawin dahil kasalanan o di kaya ay makakasama sa atin o sa ibang tao. Pero may mga bagay na personal conviction at hindi para sa lahat, o di kaya ay nakasanayan lang natin. Ang mga bagay na ganito ay hindi natin puwedeng i-impose sa ibang believers. 

When in doubt, we go to God’s Word. Ano ba ang sinasabi sa Bible tungkol sa pagiging “tunay na Christian”? Sabi sa James 1:27 (VOICE), “Real, true religion from God the Father’s perspective is about caring for the orphans and widows who suffer needlessly and resisting the evil influence of the world”. As we do our best to be a light and share our testimony, do we show our concern to those who need it most? And when we take a stand na bawal ang ganito o ganyan, are we resisting evil or are we showing others how “holy” we are? Are we glorifying God or ourselves?

Sabi ni Lord Jesus, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35, ESV). Love. ‘Yan ang palatandaan ng isang tunay na Christian. Nothing more, nothing less. May all the things we do — or don’t do — reflect God’s love, and our love for one another.