In a world where profanity is about the order of the day, it has become pertinent to ask if indeed there are true Christians.

"I care not how it comes, it is wealth and fame, and I must make it and have it in abundance.” The above is almost a recurring statement among teens, youths, and even elders in any form of setting in our present world. Morality seems to have been thrown to the wind, and the quest for relevance now reigns supreme.

Amidst all of these, the growth of the church and Christians seems to be on an ever-increasing magnitude, bringing the questions to bear: Are there still Christians who are God-centered, Christians who are Bible practitioners, and indeed Christians who are Christ-like? And ultimately, we can ask, are there still true Christians? A. W. Tozer said, “The church has been so friendly with the world that we are now more like the world than we are like Christ.”

No doubt from Africa to Asia, Europe to Australia, and the Caribbean to all of America, the growth and expansion of churches is conspicuous. More and more are getting involved in church activities, more preachers are being born, more members are being recruited, and followership is at an all-time high, but true commitment seems to be declining. Faith, which used to be the crux of the Christian life, has long been linked to a regressive flow.

Leonard Ravenhill, a British evangelist, said, “The greatest tragedy in the world today is a dead church in a dying world.”

However, miracles still take place, many still respond to the call, and the worshippers still believe that there is a God in heaven who rewards in due season. Why then do we still find greed in the church, murderers, and fame chasers, as the Bible says in 2nd Timothy 3:1-5, "lovers of themselves, lovers of pleasure and not lovers of God”? There exist men and women who will do anything, I mean anything, to get wealthy, to get famous, to gain earthly positions or retain them.

Would it be safe to say they agree there is God but find Him too slow, or do they hide on the wings of Christianity to fly about the realms of atrocity? Looking diligently, should we say they have not fully come to the knowledge of true salvation and are just mere confessors and not committed practitioners? Those we can say are indeed Christ-like, like as in the city of Antioch described in the Bible.

Is it enough to be called a Christian because one is identified with a certain church group? Does quoting preachers mean devotion, or does reciting one or two scriptures of the Bible equate Christ's likeness?

These are questions too complex to give a straight response and at the same time too profound to ignore in today's world. Confession is a core of the Christian faith, but manifestation is more of a profession backed with actions. While it is good to confess, it is most necessary to transcend from confession to profession backed with appropriate action.

And this is the point many fail to dot and cross while driving the Christian road. And has kept "some" sincere followers in the dark. “Some” in quotation marks because others can be termed enemies of the church, whose main aim is to drag many out of the Christian race (false prophets, false church members, and so much more).

Charles Spurgeon, known as the prince of preachers, said, “A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the church will have clowns entertaining the goats.” This has become valid as the entertainment in some churches spearheaded by enemies of the cross is more detailed and structured than Bible study and prayer meetings.

Should we say Christianity in the true sense has become too difficult in an era where technology and popular culture are making things easier? As G. K. Chesterton puts it, “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.” This aligns with the idea that many professing Christians never really embrace the full demands of the faith, so the authentic character of Christianity is never fully expressed.

Very importantly, there is a need for a revival, not as usual, but a self-revival, a self-awakening, and a self-evaluation of those who still claim to be Christians.

While going to church is a necessity and a mark of a true Christian, you still have to ask yourself, as a part of the church, am I a true and perfect representative? As one who confesses Jesus as Lord, is He truly Lord over you, your actions, and your inactions? To the one who looks forward to the return of Christ: Are you truly ready for His second coming?

If you think you are, does your conscience agree with you, does the business you do agree with you, does your daily routine agree with you, and if Christ should cross-examine you, will your name be found in the Book of Life?

Vance Havner said, “The devil is not fighting religion, he’s too smart for that. He’s producing a counterfeit Christianity, so much like the real one that good Christians are afraid to speak out against it.” And some, being too timid or naïve, allow amoral practices in the name of preserving folks in the church.

It’s time we begin to emphasize the truth as stated in Joshua 24:15, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” For there can only be two sides: you are either a Christian or you are not.

True Christianity is a replica of Christ's likeness. It is giving others the human version of divinity, as clearly seen in Jesus' earthly life. The question: Are there still true Christians?

It is a question for all who have been surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus, a question they must reflect on if indeed they are living the life they have been commissioned for and if they are about the work they have been ordained to do, to bring the lost to salvation.

True Christianity is not made to believe; it is a form of manifestation too conspicuous to be denied...

Christians, this is for you: Are you a true Christian?