Two young men graduated from seminary, one becoming a city pastor and the other returning to his local church. Initially, the local pastor envied his friend’s city mission field. However, they soon realized that the most significant mission field was among “Cultured Christians”—those who grew up in the church but lack a true understanding of repentance and the Gospel.

In a cultured church, many people mistakenly believe they are right with God simply because they attend services, participate in rituals, or know about key Christian events. They might only turn to God in times of crisis, failing to recognize their need for genuine faith. Verses and songs may come alive only when a loved one dies, or they go through a major crisis. Many good prayers may also hang on such people’s homes as nice decorations.

Jesus warns against such complacency in Matthew 7:21-28.

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ ²³ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

The words of Jesus were not aimed at people who have never heard the gospel. It is aimed at people like us who grew up in churches or have been in one for a long time. His message reminds us that familiarity with religious practices does not equate to a relationship with Him. Genuine faith goes beyond outward appearances and rituals.

What would be our response if Jesus tells us these terrifying words,  “I never knew you; depart from me!”

But I went to church!
But I was infant baptized!
But I grew up in church!
But I served in the church!
But I went for mission trips!
But I prayed before meals!
But I gave my tithe!
But I …

All these are cultures we might have developed over the years, and we might even arrive at a point where we think we are therefore righteous in the sight of God. We then fall into the same danger the Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus’ time faced: self-righteousness. Jesus said their hearts were hard as rocks because they were very cultured on the surface. If we have never felt lost, repented, and put into practice what it means to follow Jesus, we might even find the list above offensive because we have lived by it.

As we study through the Gospel of Luke, time and again we are reminded of Jesus’ mission which was to preach and proclaim the good news to those who are lost. Jesus made it very clear in Luke 5:32, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Those who came seeking, asking, knocking and begging like little children received healing from Jesus and becomes a Child of God. A child of God hears his heavenly Father’s voice and immediately obey His commands to bear much fruit to God’s glory.

Are we merely going through the motions, or are we actively pursuing a vibrant, life-changing relationship with Christ? Revival begins with this realization. As we seek to become authentic followers, it’s essential to examine our motivations and the fruits of our lives. Are we living out our faith in tangible ways, or are we simply adhering to a set of cultural norms?

Have we ever heard God’s voice? Have we ever acknowledged that Jesus is Lord of our lives and that we need to worship him and him alone? Are we obeying His commandments? Do we seek His will in all that we do? Do we believe that the Bible is God’s word to us and has authority above all voices and cultures? Have we been prompted to take risks, move out of our comfort zones, share the gospel, speak up for those in need, help the poor, show hospitality, embrace those who are different from us, share our lives with those who are suffering?

May God break into our cultured lives and bring about a revival so that we can truly become Children of God and not merely Cultured Christians.