These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. ~ 1 John 5:13

A cultural Christian is someone who identifies with Christianity more due to tradition, heritage, or social norms than through a personal, genuine faith in Jesus Christ. Their connection to Christianity is often rooted in upbringing, nationality, or societal culture, rather than in a deep, transformative relationship with Christ.

Cultural Christians may attend church, celebrate religious holidays, and even practice certain aspects of the faith. However, their belief is often about belonging to a group or following customs, rather than truly living out the values and teachings of the Christian faith in a committed personal way.

The Danger

The real danger of being a cultural Christian is that it’s incredibly difficult for them to see they might not actually be Christians. Their relationship is with Christian culture, not with Jesus Himself, and this distinction is hard for them to recognize. Cultural Christians don’t have a personal relationship with Christ; their experience is lived out through their connection to other Christians instead. Asking them to confront this truth can feel like asking them to question the entire life and identity they’ve built.

It's like people who marry thinking it was out of love when in reality, it wasn’t. They married because they wanted to, felt lonely, saw their friends getting married, or simply liked the idea of marriage. Convincing someone they married for the wrong reasons is just as challenging as helping someone realize they are a cultural Christian.

The true measure of a marriage is the personal relationship, built on a commitment to nurture, grow, and love each other for life.

The same applies to Christianity. Have you encountered Jesus in a personal, spiritual way, developing a relationship of love, growth, and nurturing—a commitment to last for eternity? Do you have an intimate connection with Him, rooted in prayer and His Word, that carries you through both struggles and triumphs? Is this relationship the most important part of your life, influencing every aspect of your daily walk? Have you experienced Jesus Christ in a way that confirms your salvation, or are you relying on cultural Christianity to secure your place in Heaven?

I once heard a preacher say that meeting Jesus is like being hit by a truck—you are changed. Have you been changed?