In Todays Society, Can you tell a Christian apart from a Non-Believer?

Question

Honestly, i can't but their are a select few that i can see Jesus in. Im not judging because ive been guilty of it myself but their are alot of us who Act, Look and Speak worse than those who aren't saved. I talk to people and i have no clue that they are a Christian until they talk about Jesus, Its just that I see no Jesus in them, im only being honest, I just see another worldly person.

Please don't think im judging which i know some of you might think but its just disturbing to see that we misrepresent Christ alot. Im including myself.

Answer 1

You're not really off track with your question. The way to tell a Christian from a non-believer is very plainly stated in I John where it says that he that does righteousness is righteousness. In I John chapter 2, he even tells you how to know if you yourself are in Christ. I was reading it today during lunch. The answer to that is found in whether you are obeying Christ's commandments. It goes down to a person's behavior. Jesus said that you would know a tree by the fruit it bears.

What you are doing is not "judging" as many see it. You are simply calling the tree by it's fruit. There's nothing wrong with that at all - the Bible even tells you how! It's there so you know what you're looking at, regardless of what a person says.

God, in the Bible, still calls His children to come out from among the world and be separate. The problem is that the church is trying to look and act like the world in order to try to win the world. But I wasn't looking for the world when I got saved. I was looking for something more, something that the world simply can't offer.

It is disturbing, but thank God that there are still walking lighthouses that care about the difference. As the world degrades, the difference between Christian and non-believer should become more and more apparent - not less.

Answer 2

edit: "Age of Pisces", I get that a lot too. "You are more Christian than most of the Christians I know". I wish instead they could say "You are a good person" and leave it at that
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Honestly? This is not meant as a criticism or insult. Just something I have observed enough times to take note. This might be hard to describe but...sometimes I meet someone with a certain "twinkle" in the eye, like they are thinking of something mildly humorous all the time.. and I think to myself "this person is a Christian".

I am right most of the time.

People usually seemed shocked that I am an atheist. Maybe I have the twinkle too? Probably not :p But whatever a nonbeliever looks like, apparently I am not it.

Answer 3

Yep; the problem is, there is more "human" in us than Jesus Christ ! That's the problem isn't it !!! A real, genuine Christian is seen and not heard (unless asked), he or she is involved in making this world a better place to live in. God is more than just a "religious hobby" but is real to him or her because they have a real, alive, working, spiritual relationship going. "By their fruits, you will know them !!!" was echoed in the past by the GREAT Teacher Jesus Christ our Savior !!!

P.S. "Raoul" definitely, has it out for "Christians". Where did you get your facts from? There are far more non-believers than there are Christians in this world. Do the Maths ... How could a minority make up a majority in terms of social problems such as STDs, pregnancies etc ? You do not make any rational sense but conjecture - there pal !!

Answer 4

Nothing wrong with judging, just judging hypocritically. That's one of the verses that people most love to take out of context. We are not told to not judge, merely that we will be judged in measure to how we judged other people.

And if you've spent any time here, you have undoubtedly seen some very un-Christlike statements from the Christians here. It's one of the apparent faults of a belief that is not based on works--people for some reason don't feel the need to follow the rules of their faith, since they know they're saved anyway.

Answer 5

According to the latest poll, 95% of the U.S. consider themselves a christian. They think that just because they believe in God, they are christians. Well, even the demons believe in God and Jesus, but you could certainly not call them christian. A Christian is one who has surrendered all to Christ, their life, their will, realizing that works will not save you, but you show your salvation through a changed life.

But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:18-19 NKJV

Unfortunately, as you said, it's hard, at times to tell the difference. Many who say they are christian act just like everybody else, many times acting even worse. Leaving the non-believer asking, "Why would I want any part of that?" If you truly are a Christian, your actions will prove it out.
Jesus said, "By their fruits, you will know them." Matthew 7:20 NKJV

To all the non-believers out there, please don't judge us all by the bad fruit that you see. Those who truly love Christ love their neighbor as themselves, as He directed us to.

May God Bless You Immensely!

Answer 6

I personally feel that you can tell a person by his actions. this includes their speech. The scriptures say.

" Out of the heart's abundance his mouth speaks' (Luke 6:45) ,

also in Romans 10:10 we read, "for with the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with moth one makes public declaration for salvation."

so we may not always be able to tell what's in a persons heart by using only our eyes - some things are many times done in secret. A thing that can't fool us is what comes out of a person's mouth! What does this person like to talk about? What does this person think is most worthy as their topic of conversation?

What the person thinks about the most, or feels the strongest about, will be revealed in what he likes to talk about the most.

Just listen.

Answer 7

actually the necessity of repentance is to be solemnly charged upon the consciences of all who want that their sins may well be blotted out, and that they might share in the refreshment which no longer something yet a feeling of Christ's pardoning love could have the money for. Blessed are people who've felt this. It became no longer requisite for the Holy Spirit to make properly-known the situations and seasons of those dispensations. those matters are nonetheless left obscure. yet whilst sinners are confident of their sins, they're going to cry to the Lord for pardon; and to the penitent, converted, and believing, situations of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord. In a state of trial and probation, the glorified Redeemer would be out of sight, using fact we'd desire to stay by utilising faith in him. (Ac 3:22-26)

Answer 8

You should be able to tell the difference between a christian and a non-christian. If someone could not tell that I am a christian by the way I act and look, I would question my Christianity.

Answer 9

Not in all cases. But there are true Christians ! Let the Lord sees the mind.

Answer 10

Here is one way. Christians are over-represented (relative to Atheists) in jails and prisons, and they are under-represented (relative to Atheists) in the sciences and higher education. Christians also have higher rates of teen pregnancy, STDs, and divorce than Atheists.

So, basically, you can identify Christians by looking for those most responsible for our social problems, and you can identify Atheists by looking at those who are most socially and personally well-adjusted.