Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.( Jn 10:25-26). God is good! In today's gospel, Jesus connects faith to authentic discipleship when he told the crowd that those who belong to his flock believe in his teaching. Jesus said, "I told you, and you do not believe...But you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.”
The point is here made that Christians ought to demonstrate their religious identity by faith and obedience to the Lord. Notice how this idea plays out in Antioch, following the apostolic visitation of Barnabas, where he encouraged the disciples to remain faithful to the Lord Jesus firmly in their hearts.
There is a mystery about the decision to remain faithful to Christ; it baptizes the hearts and changes old, struggling ways to become attractive to others. It becomes the guiding principle to live in a Christ-like fashion with the understanding that the Christian identity isn't a rubber stamp identity. It authentically influences our lives and radiates to others; it is exemplary!
You can make it your goal as a Christian to get your own family and friends to recognize you as a true Christian because they know you live that way towards them. Is it enough we are husbands, wives, children, parents, or friends to those around us? No! They should see us as Christians.
Prayer: Father, as Jesus pointed to his works to prove his divine sonship, lead me to know how I may recognize your will in the daily turn of events in my life. Make it my strong desire the striving to live each moment in conformity to your word. Amen.