Beyond Appearance: The Call to Authentic Christianity

I once saw a picture of a man in church, his hands lifted in worship, completely lost in the moment. From his appearance, one would not be wrong to assume he was a devoted believer.

However, when the image went viral, shocking news surfaced—on that very same night, he had taken the life of his girlfriend. The same hands that were raised in worship had been used to strangle her to death.

This serves as a sobering reminder that even within the house of God, people are not always what they seem. Outward appearances alone do not reveal a person’s true character.

The Danger of Hypocrisy and Superficial Faith

Many people attend church, but not all are true followers of Christ. Some are hypocritical, while others are merely superficial in their faith.

A hypocritical Christian professes faith in Christ but does not live according to His teachings. They may appear righteous in public while secretly engaging in sinful or unloving behavior. Jesus repeatedly rebuked the Pharisees for this kind of double life, as they focused on outward religious acts while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:27-28).

A superficial Christian has a shallow faith—one that is not deeply rooted. They may attend church, speak Christian language, and participate in religious activities, but their relationship with God lacks depth. This can be compared to the seed that falls on rocky ground in the Parable of the Sower—initial enthusiasm, but no firm foundation (Matthew 13:20-21).

Both cases reveal a form of Christianity that exists only on the surface, without true heart transformation.

God Sees Beyond the Surface

People may be deceived by outward appearances, but God is not. He sees beyond our actions, titles, and reputations. Wealth, influence, and religious activities do not impress Him—He searches the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

Many believers act differently in church compared to other settings. They seem holy and upright during services but live contrary to Christ’s teachings elsewhere. This inconsistency is what led Mahatma Gandhi to say:

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

This statement is a challenge to all believers. If we claim to follow Christ, our lives should reflect Him—not just in church but everywhere we go.

Living a Life That Reflects Christ

The Bible tells us that it was in Antioch that believers were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). Why? Because their actions, words, and character clearly revealed their faith. They didn’t have to announce their Christianity—people could see it in them.

As followers of Christ, we must strive for authenticity. Our lives should align with the faith we profess. Our attitudes, speech, and relationships should demonstrate the love, humility, and righteousness of Jesus.

Let us choose to be genuine, authentic believers—people whose faith is not just for show but is deeply rooted in a personal relationship with Christ.