How Do You Recognize a Christian?

A friend sat down in a small London restaurant and picked up a menu. “What will it be?” the waiter asked. Studying the puzzling selections, my friend said, “Uhh …” The waiter smiled. “Oh, a Yank. What part of the States are you from?” He hadn’t said a word. But he’d already given himself away. In the first century, Christ’s followers were also recognized immediately. What gave them away? It wasn’t their buildings. They had none. It wasn’t their programs. They had none. It wasn’t their political power. They had none. It wasn’t their slick publications, TV networks, bumper stickers, or celebrities. They had none. What was it? … They testified to the truth about Christ and lived by His grace. Truth was the food they ate and the message they spoke. Grace was the air they breathed and the life they lived. The world around them had never seen anything like it.