The Almost Christian

Not everyone that professes being a Christian actually follows Jesus Christ or has a saving knowledge. They may know some facts from the bible but they don't understand the truth of the word of God. They can probably even quote from memory several of the most recognizable bible verses. What does it mean to be a Christian? Does being a kind loving person make you a Christian? What about being morally upright or a honest person? Does following the commandments in the Bible make a person Christian? What about doing kind deeds for others, does that make a person a Christian? Abstaining from drinking alcohol and being generous to others, does that make a person a Christian? Taking sacraments or going to church doesn't make a person a Christian either. Even praying and studying the Bible does not make a person a Christian.

1 John 2:19 ESV They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 

We all know people that may be almost Christians. In America we have plenty of churches with plenty of almost-Christians. It’s easy to get caught up in the crowd, sing the songs, and go through the motions. Eventually, they feel like they belong, and they can’t even remember a time when they weren’t a Christian. They attend church a frequently. They put some money in the offering plate. They attend many of the special events like the carry in dinners, baptisms and children's programs. If you ask them if they are a Christian they will respond with a confident yes, I attend church and I believe in God. You must know that in heaven, there is no membership roll. Almost-Christians will almost get to heaven. But almost isn’t going to be close enough, almost heaven is still hell. Even the demons believe in God and they Shudder!

James 2:19 ESV You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe and shudder! 

So how do you know if someone is a really a Christian? The only real way for us, as humans, to know if someone has truly become a Christian is to observe that person’s life on the outside. Since we cannot see the interior of the human heart as God does, we have to look for some result or indicator of their faith. If a person does not show any fruit, that is, any visible evidence of the change that has taken place in their heart since receiving Jesus Christ as their Savior, well then they may not be a Christian. 

Matthew 7: 20-21 ESV Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

As I said in the beginning, not all who profess to be Christians are truly followers of Jesus Christ, regardless of the Christian language they use or the Christian activities in which they participate. These, almost Christians, try their best, struggling to do for themselves what God in His grace has already accomplished. 

John 14:6 ESV Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.