Picture taken at Leif Erikson Park, Duluth Minnesota

When Barack Obama ran for president, the airwaves and media sites buzzed with the question of President Obama’s faith. This hot topic was started by a series of polls on the subject,  ranging from 18 – 25% of the people believing that he was Muslim. This, even though Barack Obama  had been part of the United Church of Christ for many years.  So,  how does one know if a person who claims to be a Christian really is one?  The question has  only been exasperated in the past few years  as Progressive Christians and Conservative Christians have called into question, the validity of the other’s faith.  

I was in a coffee shop one day where I overheard a conversation between two men who appeared new to Bible study. They were pouring over their Bibles, pointing out passages to one another. Their brand of Christianity is likely quite different from yours or mine. I suspect that because of the questions they were asking, and conversation that focused on following verses that will lead them to financial success. While I disagree with their understanding of the scripture, I don’t doubt the sincerity of their budding faith.

Perhaps the question isn’t whether or not other people are true Christians. The real question is, are we? We Christians are a diverse group. We disagree on a variety of social issues. We land on all sides of the political spectrum. We have wide ranging opinions about taxes health care and masking.    But at the heart, what I’ve found true of Christian people is this: Christians are committed to love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength and love their neighbors as themselves.

Christians are people who take seriously the words of Jesus, “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me . . . Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25: 35-36, 40 TNIV)

The old camp song says it in another way, “They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love.”