During my seminary education, I’m continually struck by the profound influence our understanding of God wields over every facet of our lives. The late Tim Keller once said, “The way you see God affects the way you see everything else.” Indeed, how we conceptualize God shapes our worldview, dictates our actions and colors our relationships. Like spiritual Lasik surgery, how we view everything forever changes. 

Consider this: If we view God as a stern, distant judge, it can instill a sense of fear and unworthiness, akin to a child cowering from an abusive parent. But perceiving God as a benevolent, loving Father instills us with a sense of security, freedom and joy, knowing our worth isn’t contingent upon our performance but rooted in unconditional love. 

I broach this topic because of the enduring struggle many Christians face: being a “bad” Christian—a challenge that has persisted since ancient times. Often, a “bad” Christian depicts someone who falls short in their religious practices: They don’t read the Bible fervently enough, worship with sufficient zeal or pray as frequently as they believe they should. They grapple with feelings of inadequacy and doubt regarding their standing within the Christian community. 

It’s imperative to recognize that the concept of a “bad” Christian is fundamentally flawed because it assumes a hierarchy of righteousness that runs counter to the core tenets of Christianity. The Apostle Paul reminds us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV). 

However, this isn’t to disregard the importance of Christian living or the impact of our actions. Rather, we adjust our perspective: Our salvation hinges not on our performance but on the finished work of Christ on the cross. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18 shows this distinction when it contrasts the Pharisee’s outward righteousness with the tax collector’s humble plea for mercy. 

What emerges from this parable is a profound truth: Genuine faith isn’t about outward displays of religiosity but about inner transformation. Spiritual disciplines such as prayer, worship and Bible study aren’t mechanisms for earning salvation but expressions of our faith and receptivity to God’s grace.

Picture this: Just because a car doesn’t have oil, a battery or gas doesn’t mean it’s not a car. But for a car to live out its full potential and design, it needs gas, oil, a battery and consistent maintenance. In the same way, spiritual disciplines don’t change our status before God as righteous, but they do help us to live out our intended design in following Him. 

We must stop looking at our connection with God like any other relationship. This relationship is not mutual because we aren’t pouring into God in the way that we would pour into normal human relationships. There’s an element of give and take with human relationships, but with God, it’s all take on our end, and we provide nothing for Him in return. We must understand that we depend on a God who does not depend on us. He isn’t mad at you if you don’t talk to Him for a day, a month, a year, or even a decade, but rather He welcomes you like the Father welcomes the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32. No matter how far away you’ve walked from God, the return trip is only one step away.

Yet, despite our understanding of grace, many Christians—including myself—grapple with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. We fret over whether our devotion measures up, whether our faith is genuine, or whether we’re truly deserving of God’s love and forgiveness.

In these moments of doubt, we must cling to the foundational truth of our faith: Salvation is a gift freely given, not a reward earned through merit. Our relationship with God isn’t transactional, but rooted in His boundless love. As the Apostle Paul affirms, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39, NIV).

The distinction between a “good” and “bad” Christian is moot in the grand scheme of salvation. What matters is our recognition of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice and our trust in His redemptive work. Our deeds, while significant, are fruits of our faith, not prerequisites for salvation. 

Philip Yancey points out so beautifully that, “There is nothing we can do to make God love us more and there is nothing we can do to make God love us less.” As we navigate the complexities of Christian living, let us anchor ourselves in the assurance of God’s grace and the unshakable truth of His love. 

This article was originally titled “To The Bad Christian” in the November 2024 issue of Peer.