It’s easy to tell who the Christians are, they are the ones talking to others about Jesus. Pure and simple, their conversations do not revolve around themselves, not the circumstances of the world around them, these are by-thoughts, simple niceties that are observed for a very short period of time with each person they meet. The conversations of a Christian revolve around Christ, He is not just mentioned in passing, He is not a by word, He is the center of each word and thought.
This is how we can distinguish ourselves from the lost around us, it is not in church attendance, not in the following of traditions or the stipulations that it may place upon us, Christians speak a different language than the rest of the world, it is why we are not always welcome company to them. They have nothing to speak of that is of any value, their lives, the lives of those around them, the current circumstances that surround them, or the newest thoughts that they are interested in, they have absolutely nothing of eternal value to offer us, while we offer them eternity. If it is Christ that lives in you, (Gal. 2:20) then are you letting Him do the talking, or are you still trying to fit in, are you allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you, or has He long ago found you to be useless to the kingdom.
These are the questions only you can answer, but if you are wise, you will listen to what the Lord God has to say about His children. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt. 7:20) What works outside of yourself are you doing for the glory of God, can you show them to Him, or have you fallen into the trap that is so prevalent today, “Study to shew thyself approved,” (2 Tim. 2:15) but never willing and ready to give an account to any who ask you about your faith, the reason for the hope that is within you. We are told to be confident in Christ, (2 Cor. 5:8) are you, or do you only feel strengthened when you are alone with Him, in the presence of the lost, do you feel ashamed of Him, but telling yourself that you didn’t feel led to speak about Him, just like the last time, and the time before that, isn’t that excuse starting to get a little old.
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil. 4:13) Are you, or are they fanciful words you like to say, words that give you encouragement, but never seem to lead to any action. We are told to “die to self,” (Phil. 1:21) did you, or do you still see this as some lifelong challenge that will never be met until you arrive home to glory, a continuous battle, if you will, you against you is how you see it, when in truth it is you fighting the Holy Spirit of God, denying Him so you can continue with your plans for life. “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” (Gal. 5:17)
Why? Because we like being us, we don’t want to give us up, we don’t want to be Christlike, they’re just nice words to say to make us feel better about ourselves, in reality, we want what we want, and we do not want to give us up for Jesus or anybody else. It’s easy to spot the children of God, the world holds no meaning beyond the people in it for them, every thought is held captive for Christ, (2 Cor. 10:5) in every conversation they find a way to glorify Him, they do not wait for an opportunity, they seek an opportunity in every encounter. A continuous, daily walk with Jesus Christ can be a very lonely walk for those who do not see Him as enough, for those who want to keep one foot in the world, for those who will not be crucified with Him. (Romans 6:6)
Those who will not do as they have been commanded, to “go ye into all the world,” (Mark 16:15) those who will not even step across the street or the hallway to their neighbors house serve little purpose for the kingdom, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11) And that is exactly where they are going to keep it. Perhaps at times a verse or two may pop out of their mouths, but they are too easily swayed by others, they fear the repercussions of embarrassment, the praise of men (John 12:43) is immediate, the things of God are a long way off yet.
Do you know how you can tell who the Christians are, they talk about Jesus Christ, freely and openly, without fear, without the thought of the possible consequences. It can be a very lonely life for the born-again believer if all they have is Jesus, unless He is all they need.