The title “worldly Christian” may strike home for some of you. If you have been living your life in a way unpleasing to God, you know what I mean. Getting the “I'm saved” card and then turning your back on growing a relationship with God. What does it mean exactly to be a “worldly Christian”?
Today's society reset the definition of what it's like to be right or wrong. Christians have fallen into the trap of temptation and denial. Just because you attend Church every Sunday does not make you a Christian. You can't worship your sins away through the praise team. You can't listen away from your sins in a sermon. We need to get back to prayer. Our sins need to be brought before God, and we need to ask for forgiveness.
Does being a worldly Christian lead other people to Christ?
I remember a local news story a few years past about new age Christians. For some reason a Church leader though it was a good idea to become a worldly Christian. His outreach was going to a bar and drink with alcoholics. Instead of going to the bar and spreading the truth, he fell into the trap. He became one of them. Instead of showing them why he was different because of his God, he held the same sin in his hand.
You might say what is wrong with drinking a beer with some nonbelievers? You are being too critical and missing the point of what the pastor is trying to accomplish. Really? Apply this same concept to other outreaches. How about Christians attending a nude dancing club to reach nonbelievers? How about Christians engaging in drug activity? All of these people need to be reached and hear the word of God. But there is a Biblical way to go about it.
Jesus went right to sinners and offered them help. But he did not sin in the process.
Mark 2:17 NASB “And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Jesus went to where sinners were and spoke the truth. He did not engage in their sins to lead them to him. Jesus set the standard for what they should become.
Should we become worldly Christians?
Should we become worldly Christians to fit in? No. We are called to be different. We are called to be a light in the world. If we are the same as everyone else, we cannot be light. Becoming worldly Cristian and engaging sin with sin does not help nonbelievers turn to God. If anything you push these people away from God. Be the light, not the darkness in the lives you touch.