Sabbath Thought – True vs. Counterfeit

Much earlier in my life, I worked for a company that made metal parts through an etching process. A master image would be made on film, then this film would be placed over a metal plate that had been coated with a light sensitive chemical. The master image would expose the chemical on the plate and then the plate would be washed in a chemical bath to remove the exposed areas. This plate would spend time in a wash of acid to etch (eat away) the metal not protected or covered. The result was a metal part that looked exactly like the original artwork which could be used for further manufacturing.

One of the pieces of artwork for one job involved creating a small number 5. Normally, the area of the business I worked in did artwork for ornaments, bookmarks and similar items. The company that ordered this small number 5 was Crane & Co. They make stationary – specialty paper, envelopes and the like – but the bread-and-butter business of Crane & Co. is making the paper used in various world currencies – a lot of Asian currencies – but Crane & Co. is the sole manufacturer of the paper (actually a combination of linen, cotton rag and other material) used in every U.S. denomination of printed money.

Have you ever been passed a counterfeit piece of money? Prior to 1990, the U.S. currency relied primarily upon the intaglio printing process to thwart counterfeiting. High-end consumer and industrial copiers, however, were doing a pretty good job of reproducing money as well – and were the choice of counterfeiters everywhere. The U.S. government began a redesign of all U.S. currency instituting several counter-counterfeiting measures in each domination bill. Watermarks were added that change the density of the paper in a specific area creating an image when held up to light (like the small metal number 5 that I helped to create for the $5 bill). A plastic security thread was added to each denomination. Color shifting inks were added. Micro-printing was added at various spots on the currency. As part of the content of every U.S. currency bill blue and red threads are randomly scattered in the base material. 

With that in mind, what makes a counterfeit Christian? Christianity is not just one flavor amongst all the choices of religions in the world – being a follower of Christ is the only way to have salvation, to have eternal life (Acts 4:5-12). This involves becoming a disciple (and imitator) of the teacher (John 8:31; 1 Peter 2:21). 

Here in the United States, the Secret Service is tasked with maintaining the integrity of our money – it is their job to find and confiscate counterfeit money. I found one of their tips very interesting.  They say when looking for a counterfeit, don’t look for the similarities – look for the differences. What does a true disciple of Christ look like then?

• A true disciple with keep God’s commandments – all of them (1 John 3:24; Revelation 14:12).

• A true disciple will obey His law and have His Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32; Romans 8:7-10).

• A true disciple will see to do the will of the Father and Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:21-27, 12:47-50).

• A true disciple will be developing Godly character (Matthew 5:48, 2 Corinthians 3:18).

• A true disciple will love others (especially other disciples – John 3:35, 15:17).

• A true disciple will be overcoming their carnal tendencies and growing (Romans 12:21; 2 Peter 3:18; Revelation 2:7).

• A true disciple will not allow anything or anyone to come before their relationship with God.

Counterfeit Christians will show similarities in worshipping God, but the difference is what they reject in God’s truth. If worship proports to be toward God, the question to ask is, “Does this match what Christ taught and did?” It is going to become more and more important as we approach the end-time to know those who reject and oppose Him and His teachings. A Christian is someone who is reflecting Christ in all aspects of His life, not just as a title or a convenient activity.

Are we a true Christian, or a counterfeit?

I wish you a very meaningful Sabbath,

Dan Dowd

18 January, 2025