HEY MIKE! What do you do when you have a friend who claims to be a Christian but never acts like one?
—K.H., Boise, Idaho
The word Christian is where you begin. If someone has truly received Christ in his heart, he’ll be motivated to follow and obey Jesus.
Sadly, though, it’s possible to “talk the walk” and not have Jesus in our hearts. Take a look at James 2:17: "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." In other words, if one claims to follow Christ, there should be some evidence of this.
Sometime soon, when it’s appropriate, share with your friend these verses from Matthew: “Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. . . . Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers!’” (7:21,23).
Ask your friend if he really believes Christ is his Lord and Savior. He may never have understood what distinguishes a 100 percent genuine CHRISTIAN from a phony. You may be the one to help him understand the difference. Above all, pray for your buddy. Ask Jesus to help him to see the truth. 
