God Knows Who are His

God knows who are his, and that’s a consolation. We don’t know who are his—and we don’t have to. We have to be content waiting until the Resurrection to know exactly who God’s people are. Until then, you’ll know a member of the Body of Christ mostly by the fact that they have turned away from evil.

God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness’ (2 Timothy 2:19).

As Paul stated above, you’ll know a Christian by their turning away from sin. It’s your job to make a believer conscious of their sin if they’re unaware of it. So, don’t just write off someone as not being a believer if you’ve never spoken to them about a blatant sin. If you’ve spoken to them, and have done your part to correct them, but they persist—don’t even eat with them.

… I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people (1 Corinthians 5:11).

The Book of Life

The names of true Christians are found in the Book of Life and their deeds are recorded in certain books that God has stored in Heaven.

I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books (Revelation 20:12).

So the day will come when it will be clearly manifested who the chosen really are. For now, we simply do not know who God’s elect may be. They might be same people who are living in sin today. They may be the same people you see are not yet walking with Christ, but they will repent and turn to him before their time is up.

Finishing the Race

One thing we know: The ones who will make it into the Kingdom are the people who will finish well. They may not have started well. They might not be doing well today. But they will persevere to the end.

… the one who stands firm to the end will be saved (Matthew 10:22).

… the one who endures to the end—this person will be saved (Matthew 24:13; LEB).

Have you ever watched an event and felt sure that it was going to end with a certain team winning, but they ended up losing? Or have you ever felt certain that your team would be defeated, but they won in the end? That's how the Judgment may be also. Don't judge anyone before the Lord judges them.

... judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God (1 Corinthians 4:5).

Wait for Jesus to return, and he'll set the record straight.