Everyone believes in something, whether it’s about an existence of an important figure, or a set of values. However, the crucial question we need to consider is the impact this belief has on our lives. Will it change the trajectory of my life? Am I willing to offer my life for it? This is what separates someone who knows Christ intellectually from someone who follows Christ from the heart.
During Jesus’ ministry here on earth, many believed His claim to be the Messiah. He said He is the Light of the world, drawing on Old Testament language that Jews associated with God’s creation and the Messiah (such as Ps 36:9). The Jews expected a Messiah to rule over them as a political King. This is their very own interpretation of the Messiah’s work. While Jesus was indeed the Messiah, He wasn’t the kind of Messiah they wanted. Jesus was the kind of King that would serve and not be served, which eventually would even suffer to die on the cross, which was a disgraceful event for any king of a country. A King should be victorious and not a sufferer.
This is the reason Christ tested his followers’ belief in Him. He wanted them to be distinct from those who merely claimed believe in Him.
Same with those who attend church. It doesn’t make you a genuine follower of Christ. I’m not saying we neglect Lord’s Day service on a Sunday, what I’m saying is that it is not enough that you are a member of a church or of a certain religious group or a ministry to justify your allegiance to Christ. Ask yourself this, what separates you from those who are in the church? The answer is not through mere affiliation, nor the ministry where you are in. The question is is Christ’s Word your standard of truth? Are you abiding in His Word?
On judgment day many will say that they have works in Christ’s name. However, Christ will tell them, “I never knew you. Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”
Knowledge of Christ is not enough, but a life that glorifies God by loving others and serving others to show Christ’s authority) will show your distinction from others who claim to be His followers.
It is easy to say that we believe in Christ, but may our lives reflect what we believe in. Christ is not merely a symbol to display; He is our Master worthy of our service.
