How do you know?

I've been thinking over recent weeks, in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk's assassination, about the amount of debate online about whether or not he was a Christian. For some, his connection to church, a Christian wife, and use of Christian terminology is sufficient to say he was a Christian. For the other side of the sociopolitical spectrum, they see holes in his character that prove he was not a Christian. There are plenty of people who don't care either way.

So, I'm going to try, in the most non-preachy way possible, to describe what I believe to be true about how you know if someone is a follower of Jesus. Keep reading.

1. They make a commitment to become a Christian. Simple. (We're not debating the salvation of small children right now.)

2. They reflect the character traits that we see in the Christian scriptures about how Jesus lived and preached.

3. They are connected to other Christians.

For some, that's clear enough, and you can stop reading now. It's ok.

For readers who aren't clear yet, I will explain a bit further.

1. Commitment: Becoming a Christian is a conscious decision. You won't happen upon it by accident, because you must have awareness not only of God's existence, but the acts of sacrifice and the resurrection of Jesus.

2. Christian character: You cannot be a Christian who acts like you're not. We're all imperfect, but we're not going to use the lowest common denominator to describe Christian character. People will know your beliefs and morality are different.

3. Connected: Christians do not live in isolation. Yes, you can be one who chooses extended time alone, but we were never meant to do this alone. So, we don't.

You need more? I'll provide Bible references, so you can read for yourself. I am only providing two or three per topic so I don't scare ya' off. There's more.

1. Commitment:

   “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

   “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)

   
   

2. Christian character:

   “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.” (1 John 2:3–4)

   "You will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:16)

   “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23)

   
   

3. Connected:

   "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)

   "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34)