The world—and Gen Z in particular—often sees many modern born-again Christians (evangelicals) and their leaders failing to live by the gospel they proclaim. Reflecting this perceived hypocrisy, a 2023 Pew Research survey revealed that only 18% of non-evangelical Christians hold a favorable view of evangelicals.
Studies by the Barna Group paint a similar picture among millennials, with 46% viewing evangelicals negatively and often associating them with judgmental attitudes and political polarization. Evangelicals are frequently viewed as more driven by political power and intolerance than by Jesus' message of love and compassion. Many studies corroborate the broader reputational damage, raising the question: what causes this disconnect?
Ironically, a significant yet often overlooked source of this problem resides within the church itself—specifically, the pulpit.  Despite Jesus’ clear teaching that salvation requires a spiritual transformation, many pulpits preach a superficial gospel, reducing salvation to a ritual of reciting the Sinner's Prayer.   
The biblical meaning of the very elements essential for the internal change Jesus called for—repentance and belief in Jesus that embrace His teachings—is frequently glossed over in favor of watered-down messages. This dilution of the gospel is worsened when it is merely tacked onto the end of a sermon or reduced to bite-sized content on platforms like news and social media.
The true gospel
What, then, is the true gospel?  Jesus’ words cut to the heart of the matter: “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). This radical statement underscores that salvation is not a passive belief in Jesus, but a transformation of the heart.
At the heart of this transformation is repentance. From the very beginning of His ministry, the theme of Jesus' preaching was repentance: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). His message was clear and consistent: to enter God's kingdom, one must repent—turn away from sin and turn toward God. True biblical repentance (metanoia in Greek) is not a momentary feeling of regret or recitation of a prayer; it signifies a change of mind.
The disciples carried this message forward, preaching repentance wherever they went (Mark 6:12).  Even after His resurrection, Jesus reaffirmed repentance’s centrality, instructing his disciples that “repentance for the forgiveness of sins [would] be preached in His name to all nations” (Luke 24:47).  On Pentecost, Peter's famous message that marked the birth of the church, echoed the same call: “Repent and be baptized” (Acts 2:38). Clearly, repentance was the central theme of the salvation message taught by Jesus and his disciples.
Equally essential to salvation is “believing in Jesus” (John 3:16). But, this too is frequently misrepresented as simply believing that He is divine and that He died for our sins—a belief even the devil holds. True biblical belief goes deeper. It’s also about trusting in the divine authority of what He taught. So, believing in Jesus encompasses committing to His teachings: loving God through submission and obedience, and loving others.
This principle of obedience is central to Jesus’ teachings, as He challenged His followers, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). Obedience is also central to the Great Commission, where Jesus commanded his followers to make disciples and teach them to obey everything he had commanded (Matthew 28:19-20).
While God doesn't demand perfection, He does seek a surrendered heart that actively strives for obedience. This is the tangible evidence of being born again. As James reminds us, "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17). True faith bears the fruit of transformation.
The Good News is that God’s Kingdom, through salvation, is open to anyone who turns to Him in true repentance, submits to Him, and commits to obey Him as Jesus taught. This acceptance rests on Jesus’ atoning death—not on passive belief in Him as savior.
Ritualistic prayer
In spite of these scriptural truths, modern day gospel messages often present salvation as a formula of reciting the Sinner's Prayer—without regard to inner change or commitment to obey Him.
To maximize appeal, these messages focus on the benefits of salvation—such as, forgiveness of sin, divine blessings, and the promise of heaven—while misrepresenting God's abundant grace through phrases like “God's grace covers all your sins,” “Salvation is a free gift” and “All you need to do is accept it by repeating this prayer.” The familiar Sinner's Prayer encapsulates this approach:
“Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that You raised Him to life. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior and invite Him into my heart. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
Though these messages superficially resemble the true gospel, they distort its substance by failing to reveal what it means to repent, believe in Jesus and invite Him into one's life. Crucially, they neglect to convey that receiving God’s free gift of grace requires a heart willing to be transformed.
At its core, the Sinner’s Prayer—meant to be an outward expression of inner change—is often used as a convenient substitute for the change. The consequences are serious.
Christians in Name Only (CINOs)
Many who "invite Jesus into their hearts" stop at the invitation itself, believing that allowing Him to transform their lives is optional for salvation. In effect, they extend the invitation, but keep the door to their heart shut. As a result, these individuals live under the false assurance that they have “checked the salvation box,” only to continue living unchanged lives, except for outward signs of religiosity—attending church, giving offerings, and avoiding certain vices. They become what might be called  “Christians In Name Only” (CINOs).
Needless to say that these nominal Christians fail to exhibit the fruit of a transformed life. Many even dismiss the importance of bearing fruits—such as loving one's neighbor and performing good works as Jesus commanded—believing that the Sinner's Prayer has secured them a place in heaven.
In fact, “good works” often carry a negative connotation among these believers, as they are quick to point out that works do not save. Consequently, they are rarely known for their love toward others— especially those who disagree with their views. Instead, they are often characterized by judgmental attitudes and intolerance. This stands in stark contrast to Jesus’ warning: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 7:19).
Damage to the gospel
One could argue that being a CINO is preferable to remaining entirely outside the church. After all, attending church offers potential benefits—such as the opportunity to disciple individuals toward a genuine commitment to follow Jesus. However, the ingrained belief that salvation is secured, while submission and obedience are optional, can become a significant obstacle to true faith that is evidenced by fruits.
The consequences extend beyond individual faith; they tarnish the reputation of born-again Christians and hinder their ability to draw others to God. Walter Kim of the National Association of Evangelicals voiced this concern: “Too many, especially young people and people of color, have been alienated by the evangelical Christianity they have seen presented in public in recent years.”
The light of the world
Christians are called to be the light of the world, allowing God to shine through them and draw others to Him. Sadly, the perception created by the attitudes and behaviors of nominal Christians often do the opposite, driving people away from God. Becoming that light doesn’t happen through a momentary change of heart or the mere recitation of a creed. It requires a lifelong transformation that permeates our thoughts and actions.
As Scripture affirms, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). To truly advance God’s kingdom—not merely fill church pews—we must return to the heart of Jesus’ message: the necessity of spiritual rebirth. This means preaching the full implications of being born again, emphasizing genuine repentance and belief that leads to a life of obedience. Only then can we inspire authentic spiritual transformation and foster a Christian witness that reflects the love and truth of Christ.

George Philip