What does it really mean to be recognized as a Christian?
The world has plenty of opinions about how Christians should speak, act, dress, respond, and conduct themselves. But Pastor Henry Cotton reminds us that the standard for Christian living does not come from popular opinion, culture, or society. It comes from the Word of God.
In John 13:34–35, Jesus gives His disciples a clear command:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
That passage sits at the heart of this message.
The Bible Must Define Christian Living
Pastor Henry Cotton points out that believers can easily fall into the trap of trying to live according to what the world thinks a Christian should be.
People outside the faith often have their own expectations about what Christians should say, where they should go, how they should respond, and what behavior they consider “Christian.”
But believers are not called to live according to the world’s definition.
If someone points out something that is genuinely contrary to Scripture, correction should be received. But personal opinion is not the same as biblical truth.
The Christian life must be governed by what God has said.
Acts 11:26 tells us that the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. Pastor Cotton explains that the term was not necessarily intended as a compliment. Yet those early believers gave the name meaning by living in a way that reflected Jesus Christ.
They taught what He taught.
They followed His commands.
They sought to live as He lived.
That is what gave the word Christian its substance.
Love Is Not Just Something We Say
One of the clearest marks of a believer is love.
But Pastor Cotton makes an important distinction: biblical love is not merely verbal.
It is easy to say, “I love you.”
The real question is whether that love can be seen.
Christian love requires action.
It may mean praying for someone, sharing what you have, showing up when someone is struggling, helping carry a burden, or sacrificing your own comfort for the good of someone else.
Jesus did not simply tell His disciples to love one another. He said:
“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
That raises the standard.
Christ’s love was active, sacrificial, and costly. Christian love should reflect that same character.
Believers Should Treat One Another as Family and Friends
In 1 John 4, believers are urged again to love one another because love comes from God.
Pastor Henry Cotton emphasizes that those who belong to Christ share a unique relationship. We are brothers and sisters in the Lord, but we should also recognize one another as friends.
That is not a casual designation.
A true friend shows loyalty, care, concern, and willingness to help.
Christian fellowship should be marked by that kind of relationship.
It should not matter whether another believer attends the same local church, belongs to the same denomination, or uses the same labels we do. When we recognize the fruit of genuine faith, we should respond with Christian love.
The Great Commission and Christian Love Belong Together
Every believer has been commissioned to participate in the work of the kingdom.
We are called to teach, make disciples, share the gospel, help others understand the faith, and use our gifts, talents, and resources in service to God.
But Pastor Cotton makes clear that ministry activity cannot replace Christian character.
We can preach, teach, sing, pray, serve, and use spiritual gifts, but Jesus did not say the world would know His disciples simply by their gifts.
He said:
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
That is the identifying mark.
What Does That Love Look Like?
Pastor Henry Cotton gives practical examples.
If a brother or sister is hungry and you have food, love may mean sharing your meal.
If someone is sick, love may mean visiting them.
If someone is unable to complete necessary work because of illness or hardship, love may mean stepping in to help.
If a family is struggling, love may mean bringing food, helping with responsibilities, or giving your time before attending to your own routine.
This kind of love was one of the things that drew people toward the early Christian community.
They saw believers caring for one another.
They saw fellowship.
They saw sacrifice.
They saw people carrying one another’s burdens.
And they wanted to know the God who produced that kind of love.
Can People See Christ in the Way We Love?
That brings us back to the central question:
Can you be recognized as a Christian by the Bible’s standard?
Not by the world’s expectations.
Not by a title.
Not simply by church attendance.
Not by how much Scripture we can quote.
Not even by the spiritual gifts we may possess.
Jesus gave us a visible standard.
Do we love one another?
Can people see that love in the way we speak, serve, give, forgive, help, and respond?
Pastor Henry Cotton’s message calls every believer to examine that question seriously.
Christianity is not simply something we profess.
It is something that should become visible.
And according to Jesus, one of the clearest places it becomes visible is in the way believers love one another.
A Call to Faith and Renewal
For those who desire this kind of love but do not yet know Jesus Christ personally, the invitation remains open.
Salvation begins with believing that Jesus Christ came, died for our sins, rose again, and offers eternal life to those who place their faith in Him.
And for believers who know they have drifted, the message is not that the door has closed.
God still calls His people back to Him.
The question remains for all of us:
Are we living in such a way that others can recognize us as Christians by the Bible’s standard?
At St. James Missionary Baptist Church, we pray that our lives will reflect the love of Christ not only in what we say, but in how we treat one another every day.