There are a lot of people, organizations, and movements in our country wearing the label of “Christian.” While many are genuine, others directly conflict with the teachings of Scripture. As believers, the Bible serves as our instruction manual for life, guiding how we relate to God and to one another.
When actions, associations, or people claiming to represent Christ fundamentally contradict the Bible, that person or group is missing the mark. As Scripture warns in Matthew 7:15-16 (ESV), “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.” True faith bears the fruit of the Spirit, not division and malice.
At its core, Christianity commands us to treat others with deep respect and kindness—not hate and indifference. We are called to care for our fellow humans, especially the vulnerable, the elderly, children, and the strangers in our midst. Deuteronomy 10:18 reminds us that God “executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.” We are instructed to imitate that same heart.
True faith means stepping up when our elderly neighbor has to choose between food and medicine, helping however and whenever we can. Any leader or public official who promotes or normalizes cruelty, indifference, or the suffering of the vulnerable is failing the standard of true leadership and compassion.
Furthermore, being truly pro-life extends far beyond a political talking point or being solely anti-abortion; that is merely pro-birth. To authentically follow Christ’s call to protect life, one must actively take a stand for the vulnerable and care about their ongoing quality of life. James 1:27 tells us, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction.” This may look like supporting struggling neighbors, stepping up to foster or adopt, or simply visiting an elderly neighbor whose biggest daily battle is crushing loneliness.
Finally, character matters deeply, including how we live out our faith in the public square. Galatians 5:22-23 outlines the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When we look at leadership and civic choices, we have to ask ourselves how a lifestyle of unrepentance, moral bankruptcy, or cruelty aligns with the transformative power of the Gospel.
Being a Christian isn’t just a label we wear; it is a life we live. Let’s make sure our actions match the love and truth of the Savior we claim to follow.
To my non-Christian friends and readers, whether you are of another faith or non-religious, I apologize for the horrible misrepresentation of Christianity on full display in this country. There are still those of us who seek to follow Christ’s greatest commands of loving God and loving others. While we may wish that you shared our faith—that is a discussion for another post—we respect your choices.
