“Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven,” Jesus said in Matthew 7:21. This statement often instils fear in many Christians today who read it from the Bible. The fear stems from the possibility of missing the mark despite a lifetime of professing Christianity, which is a reality. This unsettling prospect, however, applies only to those whom Christ does not acknowledge as His children, labelling them as false believers or disciples. On the other hand, those who “do the will of my Father who is in heaven” are recognised as true disciples by Jesus. That is why aligning your life with the Word as the measuring standard is essential. Let’s explore how you, as a Christian, can be a true disciple.
Confess Jesus as Lord from a repentant heart
Every believer’s journey begins with an inner call, revealing life without God and stressing His importance. That leads to a feeling of remorse and the need for repentance. You then wholeheartedly confess your sins and acknowledge Christ as your master so He can save you. God then transition you from a state of regret and a life of discontent, often manifesting as depression, which is clearly explained in 2 Corinthians 7:10, into a life of godly sorrow.
Today, you are encouraged to take a moment to bow your head, release the burden of guilt and regret, sincerely confess all, and trust in God’s just and merciful forgiveness. Repentance signifies a commitment not to return to your former ways. Therefore, confessing and living a repentant life involves verbally confessing your true identity in Christ and living it out faithfully.
Doing the will of the Father
Your life should reflect God’s presence within you. The Bible teaches that others should see you and give glory to God in heaven (see Matthew 5:16). So, your inward belief transforms your outward manifestation. Jesus warns in Matthew 10:32-38 that if anyone denies Him, He will also deny them before His Father in heaven. To be a true reflection of God on Earth, you must align your actions with His will. By living in accordance with His plan, you’ll shift your focus from yourself to being a light for others (see Matthew 5:16).
Your inward belief transforms your outward manifestation.
One Bible character who illustrates this principle is Daniel. Despite facing challenges and being in a foreign land, Daniel remained faithful to God and lived a life that glorified Him. His actions and unwavering faith in God were evident to those around him, even leading to others giving glory to God.
Often, we may take tribulations and hardships as a valid excuse to serve God complacently. From an article I read on our website, titled “Obey God even if you have delayed,” which helped me, I learned that Abraham struggled to obey a unique instruction from God to leave his home. He actually didn’t obey God till his earthly father died. Despite the delay, Abraham eventually obeyed, leading to the fulfilment of God’s purpose in his life. Clearly, the critical lesson is to emphasise the importance of obeying God even during difficult times. I encourage you to prioritise obedience to God’s instructions, even in seemingly challenging situations.
Some people serve God religiously. But their minds and hearts are not prepared for ministry and the level of consecration that comes with it. The work of God demands a pure mind and a heart wholly devoted to Him. It’s not about religiously following the practices. True service to God involves a genuine connection from within, a sincerity that comes from the depths of one’s being. So, whether in public or private, you’re expected to uphold purity in all aspects of your life. To serve God effectively, you need a heart wholly devoted and surrendered to His will because He is holy. Only then can your actions turn from mere religious routines into meaningful service aligned with God’s plan.
Focus on pleasing God
You can’t serve God half-heartedly when everything’s said and done, and you expect Him to receive you wholeheartedly. The Christian journey can feel dynamic, and our vulnerability to temptations can make us doubt our salvation. However, in Philippians 2:12, it’s clear that even though salvation is a one-time event, you’re urged to live out your faith with reverence and diligence. That means that while you are assured of salvation, there’s still a journey ahead where you must dedicate your life to serving and pleasing God as you ought to do.