Can people tell you are a Christian?

I usually know if someone is a true follower of Christ. They are and should be very different. I hope it shows from me and how I conduct myself. Not in a pious 'holier than thou' sanctimonious manner, never that, I hope. I know preachy people like that and I try never to be as they are. It is in the upholding of principles, being trustworthy, peaceful, kind and helpful that allows Christ's light to shine through.

Yet more than just being a good person, as anyone can be, rather in the unhesitating way you declare what you believe and that you trust in Jesus as Lord of your life, when asked. Not forcing it on anyone but answering their questions if any, based on the Bible's guidance.

Would people know you and hopefully your family, are Christians?

How do you know if someone is a true follower of Christ? Apart from believing in Christ how are they so different from everyone else?
A lot of people possess all these qualities you have listed but they don't believe in Christ.
I remember a pastor saying to me when I first came to Christ "A Christian is a sinner who believes in Jesus Christ. An unbeliever is a sinner who doesn't believe in Jesus Christ"

Ideally, there should be indicators someone is christian, fruits of the spirit and all that. Won't be definitive though.

That is a pretty pathetic definition. Real Christians are born again. Even in my darkest moments, and I've had more than my fair share, Jesus has shone through. Often other people see what we do not. When I was first saved, I was serving in the Australian navy. It's a tough environment and I wanted out. My travels led to a break up with my gf. One colleague, who I'd know from recruit days, told me that I was the happiest man he'd ever met. I was amazed.

Jesus is the Light within us. We shine in the darkness. This is not something we can be proud of. A light bulb can be any shape, but it is the electricity that makes it shine.

As we allow Lord Jesus to clean us up in the realm of the soul, there will be less interference in the light that shines through. Have you seen a really dusty light globe? If you clean it, the light shines much brighter.

What is a clean soul? It is a combination of things. First, we need regular cleansing from sin. As soon as we realise we have sinned, we should confess and so be cleansed.

Second, we need to quit relying on self. That is a hard one. People know that sin is bad. But they do not always see that the "good" self is also opposed to God's ways. A good example of this is when Peter rebuked Jesus for talking about death. (Matthew 16:22)

Third, we need our will to become harmonised with God's will. Every Christian will face a personal "Gethsemane". This is when God requires us to do/stop doing something that is incredibly important to us. Abraham is a good example. He was willing to sacrifice his only son.

If you want a light to shine brighter, you also should increase the power. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an instantaneous increase in power. But if the soul is neglected, it's like increasing the power of a dirty globe, not anything like as effective.

The truth sets us free - if we will let it. Spend time with God, in His Word. Ask Him to change you - you will never change yourself. All you will do is delay the work that needs to be done and wear yourself out.

This has been a question debated by theologians for centuries. I think everyone agrees that Christians are distinquished from the non-believers by the presence of the Holy Spirit. However, the debate comes regarding how the Holy Spirit is manifested in the Christian’s life. Some argue it is by supernatural events (such as tongues), some believe it is by their sanctification and fruit of the Holy Spirit living within them (argued primarily by people such as Johnathan Wesley…the founder of the Holiness movement (Methodism, Nazarenes, Wesleyans, and some charismatic groups), some believe it is their participation in sacraments (communion, baptism) and some believe it is a statement of faith, sinner’s prayer or other such response to the Gospel.

I think all the views have some validity, but overall, I think it is evident that Scripture clearly teaches what it is not. It is NOT sinless perfection nor is it obedience to the Law that determines if someone is a Christian, possessing the indwelling Spirit. Also, I think Scripture also challenges us to look at our own lives with regards to how we live and what we believe so as to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith. These guidelines are not provided, in my opinion, to cause us to judge the salvation of others.

I would personally hope that most of this applies to my life, at least in part. Even though my walk with God has been better over the past few years, its been a very hard struggle for me to get here. I had to deal with legalistic and hypocritical elders, largely-absent parents, childhood bullies, repeated periods of extremely low self-esteem, a time of about 17 years where I mostly walked away from God, and the mental and emotional consequences of some deeply personal sinful choices. All told, I consider it a true miracle that I came back to God and Jesus in the end. My late mother (God rest her soul) was instrumental in my repentance and rededication, so I remain very grateful for that.

I often have non-Christian's say things to me like, "You're nicer than I would be." Or they don't understand my way of being and thinking about everyday things.

I've heard that phrase myself, many times...and have even used it a few as well. I'm grateful for God's immense love and grace, but I will admit I still struggle with patience.

I do too!!

Precious friend, A Very Warm Welcome. I will pray for you.
I found out my struggles were almost diminished when I 'forgave' all in
my past life, for all the abuse that I had to endure (Ephesians 4:32 AV).

Please Be Very Richly Encouraged and Comforted In:

God's Grace Word for our infirmities!

Amen.

on the average, it takes a while to totally know someone is a Christian. even if everyone talks "big" about someone. unfortunately, little by little, it gets tougher to believe in someone. so thru much time, people will believe someone is a Christian. around here, which is not a known Christian community, some people know i am a Christian.