Day 7 – Fake Christian? – Julie Earl
Romans 2:28-29
Is there such a thing as a fake Christian? Romans 2:28-29 says there is: “A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.”
A Jew means God’s chosen one, and circumcision means a cutting away of not just physical flesh, but sinful flesh. Just as a Jew is not a true Jew if he is only one outwardly, and circumcision doesn’t count if it is just an outward, physical symbol, a Christian is not really a Christian if it is merely an outward, physical act.
What might a fake Christian do that is merely outward and physical:
- Go to church
- Say the right prayer
- Give money to the poor
- Be a nice person
So what is wrong with all those things? Nothing is wrong with them, but they won’t make you a Christian. They might make you look good, and you’ll receive praise from men, but you won’t receive praise from God.
Just as “circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code” (verse 29), true Christianity is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by following a set of rules or codes. True Christianity is believing in Jesus as the only way to be saved from our sins, and inviting His Spirit to invade our hearts and lives. It’s turning from our sin and turning to Him. (Repentance means turning.)
9″If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” (Romans 10:9-10 NIV).
8 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).
9 “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ” (Romans 8:9 NIV).
Being a fake Christian means going through the motions to look good and to feel good about yourself.
Being a real Christian (or Christ follower) means surrendering your heart and life to God and allowing His Spirit to make the changes. Then you’ll want to read your Bible, talk to God, go to church, help the poor and be nice to others. Not because you are trying to earn salvation, but because God is living inside you and you can’t help but be changed by His love!
God aches to show you the wonders of doing life with Him! Many blessings!
Julie Earl