The term or title of “Christian” was originally used when first-century believers took the gospel away from Jerusalem to Antioch. As a result of this missionary work, the people in Antioch looked at these disciples as “little Christs” because of their full devotion to the teachings of Jesus — and they called them “Christians” (Acts 11:19-26).
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch (Acts 11:25-26).
Back then, there was no need for anyone to use an adjective in front of “Christian” to qualify the word at all. The title of Christian carried with it so much meaning that was consistent and straightforward.
But despite this very narrow usage of the word originally, we tend to throw around the word loosely in America today to describe someone who might simply check a box to say that their religion is “Christian” (as opposed to Muslim, Buddhist, etc.).
Because of that, someone who self-identifies as a Christian might be anywhere from a nominal Catholic to a legalistic Fundamentalist or anywhere in between.
Almost every branch of every Christian denomination (such as Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Mennonite) or even similar off-shoot religion (such as some Pentecostals, Seventh-Day Adventists, Mormons, and Amish) would use the same title to describe their religion category.
What Are the Marks of a True Christian?
This issue has become so confusing and convoluted that many Christians prefer titles such as believer, Christ-follower, or even Jesus Freak (thanks to the Newsboys). Nevertheless, the word still generally means (or at least is supposed to mean) someone who follows, worships and obeys Christ.
But because of the ambiguity of the word today, qualifiers are often helpful when trying to understand someone’s devotion to Christ and his teachings. For example, someone might call themselves a “born-again” Christian or a “committed” Christian to differentiate themselves from a “nominal” Christian or a “carnal” (meaning worldly) Christian.
Sadly, we might even appropriately need to use the title of “fake” Christian to describe someone who claims to be a Christian when their lifestyle clearly disagrees with that assertion. While I understand that this is a difficult description to give to someone, it is nevertheless true that there are some people who bear “diseased fruit” in their life, which displays the real nature of what kind of tree they are.
As Jesus stated in Matthew 7:17-20, “So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, you will recognize them by their fruits.” Jesus then follows this up with one of the most startling passages in Scripture. He declares,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven… On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness’” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Who Does Christ Say We Are?
So according to Jesus himself, there are some people who wrongly consider themselves Christians. They are, in fact, “fake Christians.”
Like Herod in Matthew 2, some people declare their desire to worship God although their hearts are far from God, their intention is selfish, and their motivation might even be mercenary.
Like the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4, some people follow through with traditions and liturgical motions although their rituals are empty, their focus is off, and their theology (or belief about God) is confused and wrong.
Like the unnamed rich, young man in Mark 10, some people regularly complete their religious to-do lists, although their good deeds are self-centered, their accomplishments are vain, and their hearts are filled with sorrow because they are not living from the overflow of the Holy Spirit inside them.
Like Nicodemus in John 3, some people who have much religious knowledge are able to have esoteric discourses about God and the Bible, although their intellect has puffed them up with pride, their understanding is skewed, and their spiritual life is dead because they are not truly born-again.
Like Judas in Matthew 26, some people hang around real Christians and get lost in the church crowd for a long time (maybe even their whole life), although they do not actually believe in Jesus as their own Savior, they are motivated by things other than the gospel, and even their worship (which might seem legitimate and intimate) betrays Christ.
These examples of what a fake Christian might look like are not meant to be judgmental or finger-pointing. Instead, they will hopefully induce self-reflection for us as we read them.
Because while it would be ideal to never have to use any kind of qualifiers when using the word “Christian,” to talk about someone, in reality, we often have to. So, a good question for us to ask ourselves is: what kind of Christian am I?
On top of that, it is clear from Scripture that for someone to hear the gospel and respond to God’s great love by walking away with something other than a devoted, life-giving, eternal relationship with God breaks God’s heart. When Jesus told the aforementioned rich, young man what he needed to do to inherit eternal life, Scripture lets us know that Jesus “loved him” (Mark 10: 21).
When Jesus told Nicodemus that he needed to be born again, he explained that God actually loved everyone so much that even though we were “condemned already,” he sent his only Son to die for their sins (John 3:16).
Paul also tells us in Romans 5:6-11 that even while we were weak, ungodly sinners, Christ died for us and shows his love for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation (Romans 5:9-11).
What Does This Mean?
This means that if anyone recognizes that they are, in fact, a “fake” Christian, then God is ready and willing to bring them into his family if we confess and repent of our sins and faithfully believe in Jesus. That is great news!
For further reading:
What Are the Marks of a True Believer?
How to Know the Marks of a True Christian
How Should Christians Respond to 'Fake' Friends?
What Does it Mean to Be a Disciple of Christ?
What Did Jesus Mean When He Said, ‘Depart From Me, I Never Knew You’?
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