Culural Christianity - the Great Nemesis of God’s Kingdom

One thing that concerns me greatly in the local church is cultural Christians. The two words put together are actually oxy-moronic just like the term “worldly Christians” that Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3. One must remember that Paul used that term as a stinging rebuke. In no way does Paul affirm that it is possible for a Christian to live consistently in a worldly fashion.

Cultural Christianity is similar to the Apostle Paul’s terminology, “worldly Christian,” but has a distinct aspect to it that Paul’s term did not have. Let me define the two aspects of the term “cultural Christian.”

1. Those who are not Christians at all even though they may believe that they are going to heaven.
2. Those who are indeed true Christians but are not living a transformed life.

Some true Christians which I will call “Biblical Christians,” may go through a time of spiritual apathy. For instance one young man told me his testimony. When he at first became a Christian there were several years in his life that he largely (though even then not completely) ignored God’s call upon his life—to live as one who truly is a child of God, representing God himself and the family of the redeemed. After some years God broke Him until he could no longer ignore God and thus lived out the transformed life.

The case in point is that Biblical Christians will evidence the transforming power of God in their life. This doesn't mean they don’t ever sin but they certainly won’t continue in a life of sin. I know that some struggle with certain sins and this in an of itself might say something about their spiritual condition—for a struggle against sin means there is opposition to sin and God opposes sin.

Now let’s make mention of the first way in which I defined Cultural Christianity. I fear that there are many people who have been led astray and some of them by well meaning churches and pastors. If I were to ask you how you know that you are truly saved, what would be your response?

If you can’t answer for sure my concern is that you may not be saved. Or perhaps you answered by pointing back to a prayer that you said years ago—my concern is again that you may not be saved as you think. No where is scripture does it tell us that the evidence of our salvation is a prayer we said. Rather scripture affirms that Salvation only comes through an overwhelming conviction and belief in Jesus Christ as God and savior. Do you believe—that in indeed you are hopeless and helpless without Christ and that in Him alone hope and salvation are found?

According to the Bible evidences of salvation are found in a transformed life—growing in love for God and others. If today you are not sure you are saved or you see no evidence in yourself of life transformation, my advice would be that of a great preacher I once heard who said, “Pray vehemently as though the jaws of hell were closing in on in you.” And I might add, don’t stop praying until you are assured you are saved. Yeah— it’s that important! No pastor or person can tell you for sure if you are saved since salvation is a spiritual work of God. God’s spirit ultimately must confirm within you your own salvation.

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