When I talk to people in my local community who aren’t a member of my church and ask them if they are a Christian they invariably say that they are. When I then ask them what church they attend they often make an excuse about being too busy or that they go occasionally or some such thing. It is so easy to believe and to say that we are a Christian. Where the rubber meets the road however is in what we are doing.

Your actions are speaking so loudly…

There is a saying I like which says, ‘I can’t hear what you are saying because your actions are speaking too loudly…’ If you say that you love Jesus that’s all well and good. Does the way you live your life prove or disprove your love for Him? Talk is cheap. Anyone can say they love Jesus. The reality is that our actions will be obvious to others if that is the case. Jesus taught that it isn’t everyone who thinks they are his follower who will make it into the kingdom…

“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. 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?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21-23 ESV)

Do you believe you are a Christian? A follower of Jesus will commit themselves to belonging to a community of like minded believers. Do you think you love Jesus? When was the last time you gave a cup of cold water to someone in need or gave food to someone who was hungry? How often are you consciously putting your own needs on hold to be a blessing to others in need? How willing are you to put yourself in a difficult / uncomfortable even painful position so that others can be helped? Sometimes? Never?

Unfortunately, if the answer is either of these, your spiritual life is in danger. You may think you are a Christian but the way you think and the way you live put it in serious doubt.

So what can you do about it? Confess your selfishness to God as sin. Ask him to forgive you. He will. Ask him to change you. He loves to do that. Determine to live your life differently, with his power you will.