Identifying an Almost Christian
Suggestions They Might Think.
In Identifying an almost Christian, they typically will fall into the thought categories which follow:
- The idea that being a good American citizen automatically makes you a Christian.
- Too often people equate being an American with being a Christian. "Since I have grown up in America and Christianity is the predominant religion, then I must be a Christian."
- The idea that being a good moral person automatically makes you a Christian.
- Almost Christians tend to think their good outweighs their bad. You may hear responses like: "I’m a pretty good person." "I’ve never been in jail or murdered anyone." "I’ve made decent grades." "I have worked hard and taken care of my family."
- The idea that being raised around Christianity or in church automatically makes you a Christian.
- Almost Christians will have the idea that having Christian heritage is the same as having faith. They think you inherit Christianity or salvation from a family member or someone close to them who is Christian. It is automatically transferred to a person just because they know people who are Christians or grew up around Christians. They equate church attendance or membership to salvation. When asked about salvation, they might respond by identifying with a church or denomination. You might hear, “I am Baptist, Methodist, or Catholic,” or “I grew up going to church."
Statements They Might say.
Jesus revealed that on the day of judgment, the people called out, “Lord, Lord,” and then followed with statements of all that they had done. These were their reasons why Jesus should let them into Heaven. Here are some statements you might hear an Almost Christian say as their reasoning:
- Didn’t I pray for my meals?
- Didn’t I vote my moral values?
- Didn’t I believe in God and Heaven?
- Didn’t I go to church?
- Didn’t I want prayer and the Bible to stay in school?
- Didn’t I give money to the church?
- Didn’t I get sprinkled or baptized?
- Didn’t I own a Bible?
- Didn’t I get confirmed?
- Didn’t I get angry when people said there is no God?
- Didn’t I get tears in my eyes when I heard “God bless America” sung?
Just like in verse 21, it is all about what “they” did and nothing about what He has done. These are all great byproducts of being a Christian but not the basis for becoming one.
Signs They Might Display.
They may have a vague or generic belief in God but have no clear understanding of Christian doctrine or God’s character. These are people that believe in God, have a Bible, and believe in heaven. They know about Jesus and are sincere. They know His name, but He does not know them. There is no shortcut to Jesus or such a thing as automatic Christianity.
They may talk a lot about God and church but very little about Jesus as Savior. The generic belief in God comes out in their conversation. Everything points back to God, but very little is mentioned about Jesus. It is important to clarify their understanding of Jesus and the resurrection.
They may not understand how a person is saved or what it means to be saved. They often confuse salvation with doing something. They do not understand that it is a free gift that must be received.
They may substitute religious activity for a personal relationship with Jesus. The focus in their life will be on religious activity, which fuels their misunderstanding of Christianity. They equate activity with salvation.
