5 Sobering Checks to Know If You’re Still in the Way of Christ
Somewhere in a quiet corner of life, a troubling thought appears.
A man says he follows Jesus.
He sings the songs. Knows the phrases. Grew up around church buildings, church programs, church people.
Yet the question lingers in the air like a whisper that refuses to leave:
Does he actually know Christ?
Sadhu Sundar Singh once said something startling:
“Many Christians do not believe Jesus Christ is risen.”
At first glance it sounds like exaggeration. A dramatic statement meant to provoke reaction.
But the longer you observe the world… the less shocking it becomes.
Many people carry the label “Christian” the same way someone carries a family surname. They inherited it.
They grew up in a Christian home. Parents prayed. The neighborhood had churches. Christmas plays were performed. Easter dramas rehearsed. Choir robes worn. Gospel songs sung. 🎶
The environment was Christian.
But the encounter with Christ never happened.
They learned the language of faith… but never met the author of it.
They know the songs, but not the One the songs were written about.
They understand church culture, but not the Lord of the church.
And so you find them everywhere.
Ushers. Choir members. Prayer teams.
In some unfortunate cases… even pastors.
Busy around Jesus.
But never transformed by Him.
This isn’t about seeing Jesus physically. The disciples had that privilege.
This is about encountering the living Christ through the Spirit, through the Word, through the quiet but undeniable reality of God entering your life.
A moment where faith stops being inherited… and becomes personal.
Without that moment, something strange happens.
Scripture becomes suggestion.
Christ becomes an opinion.
His commands become optional advice.
People will believe influencers on Instagram faster than they believe the words of Christ. 📱
They carefully follow cultural trends… but struggle to follow the teachings of their own Lord.
This isn’t written to shame anyone.
It’s simply a gentle but serious invitation.
Pause.
Check your heart.
Ask yourself honestly:
Am I truly following Jesus?
Here are five sobering checks worth doing once a year… or even once a quarter.
1️⃣ Can You Remember an Encounter That Led You to Follow Christ?
For most believers, the journey began with a moment of conviction.
Not necessarily dramatic. But real.
A moment where the gospel stopped being information and became truth. Where you sensed God calling you personally.
Like Saul on the road to Damascus, something changed direction in your life.
If there was never a moment where you were personally convinced of the truth of Christ… it may be worth asking deeper questions.
Because salvation is not inherited.
It is encountered.
2️⃣ Is Jesus Truly Your Lord?
Not a historical figure.
Not a respected teacher.
Not a cultural identity.
Lord.
Meaning His authority outweighs your preferences.
His word carries more weight than your opinions.
If Christ is not Lord of your decisions, ambitions, and direction… then the relationship may exist more in title than in reality.
3️⃣ Do You Desire to Please Him?
A child naturally desires to make their father proud.
In the same way, a follower of Christ carries a quiet desire to honor Him.
This doesn’t mean perfection.
It means direction.
It means the approval of heaven matters more than the applause of people.
Jesus said to love enemies. Forgive those who hurt you. Show mercy when anger feels justified.
When you hear those commands, does your heart resist them… or slowly grow toward them?
A drifting heart eventually stops caring about obedience.
4️⃣ Do You Think About Eternity?
Followers of Christ live with an awareness that life continues beyond this one.
Heaven is not a myth or poetic metaphor.
It is home.
The early believers lived with eternity in view. Their decisions reflected that perspective.
If life after death never crosses your mind, and eternity never shapes your choices… it may be worth asking why.
5️⃣ Are You a Friend of the World?
This one is uncomfortable.
Scripture warns that friendship with the world can slowly pull the heart away from God.
This doesn’t mean avoiding society.
It means recognizing which voice shapes your values.
Is it culture?
Or Christ?
Is it trends?
Or truth?
A heart following Jesus slowly begins to resemble Him.
Not perfectly. But increasingly.
A Closing Word
In the end, faith is not about church attendance, religious language, or inherited tradition.
It is about knowing Him.
Walking with Him.
And allowing His life to shape yours.
If, while reading this, you feel a quiet nudge in your heart… don’t ignore it.
Sometimes the most loving thing God does is gently call us back.
And the beautiful truth is this:
The door back to Him has never been locked.
A Prayer
Lord Jesus, if we have drifted, awaken our hearts again. Forgive us where we have treated Your voice as optional. Draw us back to the reality of knowing You, not just knowing about You. Teach us again to follow You with sincerity and truth.
Amen. 🙏