Who are the Christians?

How can you tell who is in and who is out in the Kingdom of God? In any worship service or church event or gathering there should be a mixture of those who are saved and those who have yet to experience the power of salvation and relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  How can you tell who is who? Does it matter? In one sense it does not matter because we should seek to be kind, gracious, and generous with all. Besides it is only God who knows the heart of each person. 

However, when it comes to selecting people to lead and set the example for others with plans, projects, and ministries we need to know that we are selecting folks who are in the Kingdom of God to do the work of the King.  Everyone can help. Christians and seekers alike can enjoy serving and benefiting from ministry.  But the leaders who are setting direction and setting the example need to be folks who exhibit assured character qualities that verify they are followers of Jesus who have entered the Kingdom of God.

One such "litmus test" for whether someone is a Christian was shared by the apostle John in 1 John 4:19-21.

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

It turns out that "the Main Thing" of loving God is tied implicitly to loving each other.  We love God in response to His first loving us. We then are to love others first whether they love us or not.  We initiate the love the way God has done toward us.  Followers of Jesus who are ready to set the example are ones who take this quite seriously.  These are the Christians. When love and grace is fully experienced from God it is transferred to others.  This is "the Main Thing." ALL else hinges on this point.

There are many other evaluations needed in selecting people to lead, but none is greater than making sure he/she is a Christian.  And love for his/her brother is the first test.  We cannot simply muster up love in ourselves to share toward others.  It must first be experienced from the God of love. Accepting, forgiving, and enduring love. This supernatural love is to flow through us from God.