Are We Just “Playing” Christian?

A place to begin

Can we become so busy speaking about Christianity that we neglect our relationship with Christ? That question invites reflection on the distance between religious activity and a life shaped by love.

I remember that, in seminary, we had to read a book about how to stay Christian.  It might sound odd, but the reality is in class, we spent so much studying the doctrines and church history that hours in the Bible could cease to be spiritual as the text becomes merely academic at times. It's all too easy to get caught up in the mechanics of religion—spreading doctrines, defending theological positions, and adhering to rituals—while losing sight of the essence of our faith: a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. One danger worth considering is that we can become so preoccupied with the outward expressions of Christianity that we neglect the inward transformation that comes from knowing and following Christ.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus Himself warns against this danger: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21, NIV). Here, Jesus emphasizes the importance of genuine discipleship over mere outward displays of religious affiliation. It's not enough to profess faith with our lips; our lives must reflect the reality of our relationship with Him.

Reading with care

Similarly, the apostle Paul reminds us in his letter to the Corinthians: "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal" (1 Corinthians 13:1, NIV). Regardless of our eloquence in spreading the message of Christianity, if our actions are not rooted in love for Christ and for others, they are ultimately empty and meaningless.

Therefore, as believers, we must consider this invitation and refocus our priorities. It's not enough to be busy spreading Christianity if we neglect the central figure of our faith. Instead, let us cultivate a deep, sincere relationship with Jesus Christ—a relationship marked by intimacy, obedience, and love.

This requires spending time in prayer, studying God's Word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to shape and mold us into the image of Christ. It means living out our faith authentically, demonstrating His love and grace to a world in need. It involves prioritizing relationship over religion, knowing that it is through our connection with Christ that true transformation occurs.

Carrying this into life

Read slowly, with room for another person to hear these words differently. May what we learn draw us toward a more patient conversation and a life more attentive to love.