It’s the one and only question for some people, isn’t it?
Is the answer: yes or no?
And, what would that mean about me?
If the answer is one or the other, I will be judged by Christians and Non-Christians, respectively.
Christians would judge me according to their own beliefs and interpretation of the scriptures. And, non-Christians would judge me according to their knowledge about Christianity and personal experience of Christians, as well as, other persons of religious faiths.
All of which says nothing about who I really am (as a Christian or Non-Christian).
Instead, let’s consider why it may matter at all?
What it would mean if I was a Christian?
And, what if I wasn’t?
Would it make a difference to you?
If the answer is yes, you’ve discovered a good place to begin with inner contemplation in accordance with your own beliefs and truths.
Then, consider going a step further and answering the question for anyone else (or any group of people) in the world and discern whether the fruits of the Holy Spirit (i.e., Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) are present in their words and actions.
If “good fruits” (i.e., those of the Holy Spirit) are present, then it is entirely plausible the answer is yes, without knowing anything else about them, they could be a Christian. Further, since love cannot be divided upon itself and unites all as one, over time it becomes clear whether a person is One in the Spirit of God who is Love (and thus even those who do not identify as a “Christian” are living in the freedom of Christ, Galatians 3:28).
And, if the Holy Spirit is not present in someone’s words and actions? Their fruits will look more like unloving bad behaviors. Even therein, the answer is clear to see, too. For more, check out Inspired by Love for Life: True Disciples of Jesus Follow His Way, a Definitive Guide On What Love Is (and what it’s not), a letter to Christians and Churches in the USA (2021), and how to spot “badly behaving” Christians (i.e., Christians “in name only”).
Alternatively, if whether or not I am a Christian doesn’t matter to you, and if in this inner contemplation you found only peace and acceptance in your mind and heart (i.e., nonjudgment): Namaste with Love – I honor the divine light within you, your unique life path, your spirituality, and your beliefs, just as you are, and I thank you for honoring me just as I am, too.
Namaste with Love,
Shannon
P.S., For those who must know, the answer is yes, but it is also no. It is both, and it is neither. Each person is correct in their judgment based on their beliefs about what being a Christian means to them personally (for it is based in that person’s truth). Rather than revealing anything about me, the question actually exposes the spirit within others, whether it is one of [1] judgment/not love or [2] acceptance/love. One of these is a Holy response (i.e., acceptance/love), and the other…is not… as described above.