In societies where Christianity is the dominant religion, identifying as a Christian can often become more of a social or cultural identity than a personal, transformative faith. People grow up celebrating Christian holidays, attending church on special occasions, and learning Christian morals in school. The challenge for genuine believers is to live out a faith that goes beyond social expectations: a faith rooted in Scripture, transformed by grace, and expressed in action. It means resisting the pull of complacency and choosing instead to pursue Christ intentionally, even when everyone around you assumes you’re already doing so. Through ages, the basic theme of, “If you believe in God, you will go to heaven and if you don’t, you will perish in hell”, brings light and contributed towards the transformation of Naga society in all sphere’s of life. Christianity has played an integral and fundamental part of the life of every Christian in our state. As it stands today, there is no denying that Christianity made us into a modern, educated and enlightened society. But the question of today is,” Brethren are we really following Christ?” Have we ever really thought behind the true meaning of being a Christian? Or how much are we connected with God as a Christian?
In a world where Christianity may be assumed, the real test is whether it’s also lived. While this cultural foundation isn’t inherently negative, it can mask a deeper issue: the difference between being a Christian by name and being a Christian by faith. But beneath this religious familiarity lies a critical question: are people Christian by name or by faith? Today, it is an open secret that it had become common for people to identify as Christian out of tradition or societal expectation rather than personal belief. As a Christian, we have failed to seek community that encourages accountability and growth and also engaging the culture with love, truth, and discernment.
Cultural Christianity vs. Authentic Faith
Cultural Christianity refers to a form of belief that is shaped more by tradition, family upbringing, and societal norms than by personal conviction or spiritual transformation. It can be easy to adopt the label “Christian” without understanding or embracing the teachings of Jesus Christ. This form of faith may involve attending church for social reasons, quoting scripture without context, or using religious identity as a moral badge rather than a spiritual calling.
On the other hand, authentic faith is marked by a personal relationship with God, a commitment to the teachings of Christ, and a life transformed by the gospel. It involves daily surrender, spiritual growth, and a willingness to live counter-culturally when necessary. It’s not a checkbox, it’s a life changed from the inside out.
Challenges in a Majority-Christian Context
- Complacency and Assumptions:
When everyone around you claims to be Christian, it’s easy to assume that faith is the default. This can lead to spiritual complacency and a lack of urgency in pursuing personal growth or sharing the gospel. - Pressure to Conform:
In a majority-Christian society, there can be subtle (or overt) pressure to conform to religious norms for the sake of social acceptance, even if one’s heart isn’t in it. This creates an environment where people perform religion rather than live by faith. - Misrepresentation of the Faith:
When many claim Christianity without living its values, the witness of the church can be weakened. Outsiders may equate Christianity with hypocrisy, judgment, or apathy. - Shallow Discipleship:
Discipleship requires intentional effort, but in a context where Christianity is assumed, churches may focus more on maintaining attendance than on fostering deep spiritual growth. When Church becomes routine, we risk spiritual shallowness.
Billy Graham says, “I believe there is obedience to the Gospel, there is self-denial and a bearing of the cross, if you are to be a follower of Christ. Being a Christian is a serious business.” He added Christ’s church is a place to grow people up in the Lord, not to enhance our leisure time. The Bible considered Sunday as a day intended for rest and worship (Sabbath) after six days of work as Jesus himself did. But today many considered Sunday as a day of social gathering or partying.
And to some, it is observed as a household work day, after all those outdoor works in the week days. With the increase standard of living, people intervene more on the side of amusement, leisure, socializing etc, which have hampered Sunday for self-pleasure rather than observing the Lord’s Day.
Yet as a cloud overshadowing a clear sunny autumn’s day, the good Sabbath are found to be a day with full of anger, quarrels, in many corners of our homes, villages and towns. Not only that all kinds of commercial works and activities prevails where the faith is losing its gripped in the heart of the people. Social networking sites on internet and fictional best sellers are exciting and more to be believed than the plain word of God, they feel. There can be no harm in the believer doing all he can to improve things on earth, can there? Many useful societies exist and He can help on their good work! Can he? If a believer allows himself to be sidetracked from the main line of God’s purpose for us, there is very great harm indeed. In a state where Christianity comprises 90% of the population, many still makes common fault to treat Sunday far from the truth and faith. On the other hand, believers who have correct idea of Sunday realize that there is success if the effort has been sincere and determined. The temptations are at the door. Anger and hatred fills the air. And there are only few who knew that the Sabbath day is meant for the Lord, leaving aside all things. The famous singer, Madame Galli-Curci had words about God’s control and guidance, “The world is like a symphony orchestra and God is the conductor when nations turn to Him for direction, there is harmony but when turn away, then there is confusion and strife.” As the Bible also says in Roman 7:15, that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.
To speak of the painful truth, recently in a magazine, the Christians are graded to be the weakest/least practitioners of following one’s own religion comparing with other religions like Hindus, Muslims, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism etc. Are we really living as a Christian? A question that will raise eyebrows for many of us. I may not be a patriot of God in the eyes of Christians but as a society we cannot afford to be obsessed only with politics in all areas. So also the church cannot inter-mingle with politics and its doctrines too.
The Christian’s standard is that whatever is done be done to the glory of God. We all come immeasurably short of the pattern and standard that He sat, but we can be encouraged by the knowledge that He is also the source of the power we so desperately need to attain it.
One can argue that the road has set too deep in Nagaland for reform to succeed. But that is no case for waiting and watching. No doubt our society is in disarray. We do not need to look beyond the fences of our own homes to see what actually is wrong with our society. Drugs, drop outs, alcoholism and rebellion have invaded many homes. A glance at the daily news confirmed the instability, fear and the presence of an increasing crisis situation in our land. Over the past, the essential attributes of kindness, love, affections, compassion, brotherhood and partaking of joy and sorrow bind Christians into single monolithic identity in the name of Jesus and under the banner of Christ. It had integrates and harmonizes both religious and mundane life. Yet today, many had lived for others but not Christ, rise up for their leaders but not Christ, Speak up for their community but not Christ, Go to church for society but not Christ. We have bought love but not given, truths are sold and wrong are bought, we spoke well but our hearts are filtered with dirt. Thus, as a Christian you and I have failed miserably before God.
Being a Christian by faith requires more than identifying with a tradition; it demands a daily choice to follow Christ in both word and deed. In a society where the label “Christian” is often taken for granted, the challenge and calling for believers is to embody a faith that is unmistakably real. Thus, are we truly growing or just blending in? Roman 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”By reflecting on whether we are Christian by name or by faith, we open the door to a deeper, more transformative journey with God—one that stands out not just in words, but in how we live. In the end let us remember Jesus doesn’t ask,” Did you call yourself Christian?” He asks, “Did I know you?”(Matt.7:23)
So I ask again: Are we Christian by name, or by faith?
Kotso Medo,
Dimapur, Nagaland.