Are you kidding yourself?

I'm continually "thrown for a loop" by so many who call themselves Christians but according to the Bible, they are not. Their manner of life and heart prove that they are in fact hypocrits. It saddens me to see that although they consider themselves "saved", they are not. I'm not talking about immaturity or ignorance. I'm talking about those who claim that they are what in fact they are not. They are fakes. They are kidding themselves. What is real Christianity supposed to be like? I am going to reveal out of 1 Peter 3 & 4 the Christian's challenge and call. This passage contains most of the characteristics of authentic Christianity that Jesus brought out in the four gospels. We are exhorted to measure ourselves with these attributes and make the necessary changes to prove that we truly desire to be a child of God and want to live a life that is pleasing to Him. The following characteristics are taken directly from 1 Pet. 3 & 4 (Amplified Bible). We must be: 1) humble 2)harmonious 3)tenderhearted 4)courteous 5)never return evil for evil 6) never return insult for insult but on the contrary blessing 7)keep our tongue from evil and from speaking deceit 8)seek for and pursue (*do not merely desire peaceful relations, but make it a priority) peace (*undisturbedness from agitating passions, fears and moral conflicts) 9)shun and turn away from wickedness 10)don't practice evil things 11)follow that which is considered good 12)be willing to suffer for the sake of righteousness 13)acknowledge Jesus as Lord in our heart 14)be ready to share with others as to why we are a Christian, courteously and respectfully) 15)keep a clear conscience 16) suffer patiently in persecution rather than fail to please God 16)don't live by our human appetites and lusts, but live for God 17) don't get drunk or live wildly 18)above all of these things, have intense and unfailing love for one another 19)practice hospitality 20)love and serve other Christians that we do not know and don't complain 21)don't ever suffer as a criminal or meddle in other's affairs 22)don't ever be ashamed of God, but give Him glory. In doing all these things, commit yourself and give your all to the One Who created you and He will never fail you!