Real Christianity: Not Social Circles, But the Cross
Written on March 25, 2025
Real Christianity: Not Social Circles, But the Cross
The Cross at the Center
Christianity today is often misrepresented as a social identity—something defined by group belonging, church attendance, or being accepted by other Christians. But real Christianity is not about social approval. It is about one thing: Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Paul the apostle made this crystal clear:
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This statement sums up real Christianity. It's not about who approves of you or how well you fit in with other believers. It’s not about your reputation among Christians. It’s about Christ and His finished work on the cross.
Misuse of Scripture and Group Validation
Many people misunderstand verses like Matthew 18:20:
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Yet many today define their spiritual worth based on peer approval. They think, "My Christian friends approve of me, so I must be right with God." That’s dangerous thinking. That’s not salvation—it’s comparison. And comparison is a trap.
Grace Alone Through Faith
Salvation is by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ:
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The Cross as the Divider
The real dividing line is the cross:
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Those who are lost see the cross as foolish. They reject the idea that one sacrifice, made over 2,000 years ago, is enough. They want religion, ritual, group identity. But to the saved, the cross is the power of God.
Paul preached nothing but Christ crucified because he understood what mattered. He wasn’t building networks. He wasn’t chasing acceptance. He wasn’t playing religious games. He knew that the gospel alone saves.
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The True Test
Christianity is not about who you know, but whether you believe. Not about group acceptance, but about eternal acceptance by God through faith in His Son.
So when people build their spiritual confidence on how many Christian friends they have or how included they are in Christian circles, they are building on sand. Real Christianity is not defined by the presence of other Christians—it is defined by the presence of the crucified and risen Christ in your heart through faith.