Have you ever heard of a casual Christian? I don’t know the exact definition of a casual Christian, but I’d say a casual Christian is someone who goes to church on Sunday and then doesn’t think about God at all until the next Sunday. They may believe in God and are probably a “good person” according to our standards. They may even sit next to you each Sunday at church.
As a former false convert, I guess you could say I was a casual Christian. You see, the bottom line is that I wasn’t really a Christian at all. Casual Christians go through the motions. They know the Gospel, the truth. But they have never really accepted it for themselves on a personal level. The sad thing is, they probably think they are a Christian and they probably think that they are already saved (I thought so for 33 years).
A.W. Tozer used to call people like this “almost Christians.” I think Tozer’s description is better than casual Christians. If you are trying to do something and you almost make it, that means you really didn’t. You missed the mark. If I almost call you on the phone, then I didn’t call you. I may have intended to call you and may have had good intentions to call you, but if I didn’t pick up the phone and actually dial the number, then I didn’t call you.
Casual Christians are the same way. If you are a casual Christian, then you need to examine yourself and see if you are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Do you love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength? Do you read the Bible on a regular basis? Do you spend time alone with God? Have you repented from your sins and put your trust in Jesus to save you?
Jesus didn’t just casually die on the cross for our sins. He earnestly asked God to take the task away from Him. The Bible says that His sweat was as great drops of blood (Luke 22:44). Jesus suffered horribly and died a horrendous death on the cross for guilty sinners. This isn’t something to be taken lightly or casually.
Salvation is the most important decision you will ever make. Don’t trust in your own good works to save you. Don’t trust intellectual knowledge of the Gospel to save you. Don’t go about your salvation half-heartedly or casually. Don’t almost be saved for all eternity. Don’t miss the mark. Ask Jesus to save you from your sins; turn away from your sins and put your faith in Him. Won’t you choose life, eternal life today?