After I published my blog Are You Truly Christ-Like?, a comment rolled in: “Too many use the word ‘Christian’ improperly.” That’s true—many cultural Christians don’t truly believe. But I felt the need to add something important: a Christian is someone by faith, not behavior.

Faith Not Behavior: What Makes Someone a Christian?

Christianity isn’t based on good behavior. It’s based on belief in Jesus. Anyone who is in Christ has the right to be called a Christian, no matter where they are in their journey.

Yes, you can be a Christian and still struggle with sin. If we shift away from positional righteousness—the truth that we are made right with God by faith alone—we enter a dangerous theological space.

That’s why Jesus saved his strongest rebukes for the Pharisees. Paul did the same with the Galatians. Both groups trusted in performance instead of grace. Jesus called the Pharisees “whitewashed tombs,” and Paul asked:

“I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard?” (Galatians 3:2, NIV)

Moralism and grace cannot coexist.

The Damage of Christian Moralism

When moralism seeps into the church, it does real harm. It breeds pride and builds walls between Christians and the people they’re called to reach. It also confuses believers, making them feel like they aren’t good enough when Christ’s grace is more than enough.

When we make Christianity about behavior, we miss the whole point of the gospel.

Let’s Rethink “Christ-like”

In my blog on eliminating the term Christ-like, I wasn’t suggesting we judge who is a Christian. That’s settled by faith. What I was asking is: why do we say someone is “Christ-like” if they aren’t living like Jesus?

Jesus was deeply missional. He didn’t separate himself from sinners—he sought them out. Shared meals with the lost and pursued people far from God.

If we call ourselves “Christ-like,” shouldn’t we also live on mission?

You wouldn’t call yourself “Kobe Bryant-like” if you never picked up a basketball. Likewise, we shouldn’t call ourselves “Christ-like” if we don’t walk in his missional footsteps.

Discipleship Is Mission

Living missionally is part of what it means to follow Jesus. Discipleship isn’t just about personal growth—it’s about reaching others too.

Sadly, much of North American Christianity has become all about us. Not them. That shift reveals just how far we’ve drifted.

It’s time to return to the core:
Faith—not behavior—is what makes us Christian. And that faith should fuel a love for the lost.