Whats the definition of a casual Christian?

It’s likely that we all know casual Christians. We may once have been one. Perhaps we’re still struggling between being a casual Christian and getting serious about our faith. But what exactly is a casual Christian?
Firstly, a casual Christian is most likely not saved – but they usually don’t know it. A casual Christian may also take some or all of the following forms:

• Someone who believes in God and who thinks that this is enough to be saved
• Someone who misquotes the Bible to justify their own actions or beliefs
• Someone who claims that ‘God didn’t really mean it when He said don’t lie / don’t steal / don’t look with lust, etc.’

It can be difficult to spot a casual Christian. He or she may attend church regularly. He or she may tithe. He or she may be involved in Bible study, church fundraising and teaching Sunday School. But he or she may be busy doing things for God without actually having a relationship with Him.
Since the early church, leaders have measured the spiritual growth of Christians via three key ways:

1. Church attendance
   • Unfortunately there are people who attend church every week but who have never actually been saved. They attend church out of a sense of obligation or for socialisation, while lacking a saving relationship with Christ
   • Once a person has been genuinely saved, he or she will desire to spend time worshipping God and fellowshipping with other believers at church
2. Conversion
   • Casual Christians are usually false converts who have ‘asked Jesus into their heart’ but have never actually been saved. That’s why they’re so casual about their faith – they have no conviction to motivate them. Jesus said, ‘Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”’ (Mt 7:21-23)
   • It’s after genuine conversion that a man or woman displays a life transformed by Christ and it’s through His sacrifice alone that they will be welcomed into eternity with Him
3. Tithing
   • Many casual Christians tithe ten per cent of their income each week, without realising that they’re unsaved. Their financial gifts won’t save them; only surrendering their lives to Christ will
   • When a man or woman is genuinely saved, he or she will desire to invest into God’s Kingdom through bringing their tithes

A casual Christian can only become serious about their faith after repenting of and forsaking their sins and accepting Christ as their Lord and Saviour.