Are you a “Sunday morning Christian?” A “Sunday morning Christian” is someone who goes to church and puts on a show every Sunday morning, then goes out and lives much differently the rest of the week. Every town has them. Every church encounters them. And deep down, every church attender knows if they are one.
In Jesus’ day he dealt with a group of people very similar to “Sunday morning Christians” who were called Pharisees. He said they were “white washed tombs” who looked good on the outside but were inwardly rotten. He frequently called them hypocrites for trying to look righteous in front of people, but actually being wicked in their hearts. So what might Jesus say of you?
Is the Christian character that you show on Sunday morning the same character that you exhibit Monday thru Saturday? Would your friends at church be shocked to hear how you talk at work or school? Would your friends at work or school be shocked to hear that you claim to be a Christian? And most importantly, what would God, who knows all and sees all, say of you?
You see, the sad reality of “Sunday morning Christians” is that they are not really Christians at all. Phony Christians who specialize in Sunday morning charades are very similar to the Pharisees that Jesus condemned, and to the false prophets that Jesus spoke of in his day saying: “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:18-20 (NASB)
Another common trait of “Sunday morning Christians” is that when confronted with an article like this one, they immediately grow defensive and begin to point the finger at others, rather than examining themselves. I ask you to avoid doing this. And in all honesty before God, examine your life, test your heart, and truthfully ask yourself if you are a “Sunday morning Christian.” If so, there is hope. Some “Sunday morning Christians” have been changed by God’s grace into genuine Christians. They’ve repented and placed their faith in Christ and now follow Him every day, including Sunday. But there are others who have gone to the grave living the lie. Today they are in Hell, and all hope is forever gone. May this never be said of you. If you’re a phony Christian, repent before it’s too late. You might fool your friends at church. You might fool your pastor. But rest assured, you’ll never fool God.
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