Seeing a basketball game on TV doesn't make you a basketball player. Observing a football game from the sidelines doesn't make you a professional football player, much like solely having a plethora of knowledge about the sport doesn't make you one of the team. What does make you a player? The definition of a player is someone who takes part. Likewise, what makes you a Christian? Do you think you're a Christian because you are around Christians and rely on your knowledge of the religion, while abstaining from having an actual relationship with Jesus?
We are called to serve. No, our "status" or Christianity isn't determined by certain "works" or sacraments. However, the strength and validity of our faith is defined by our actions--righteous or not.
- "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." // Ephesians 2:8-9
However, if you are a genuine believer, fruits (Galatians 5:22-23) should be evident in your life. It's like how you don't get your driver's license with no intention of ever driving. That's the whole point of getting it, right? Well how can you believe in Him, commit your life to Him, and receive salvation and not want to serve Him?
- James breaks it down pretty well in the following: {James 2:14, 18, 20, 22, 24} "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? .. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds...You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? ... You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did...You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone."
- 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
Born again, changed, and different forever! Faith and actions working together, hand-in-hand.
We need to savor Jesus. Sounds weird, I know, kind of like I'm talking about food. But if you are truly hungry, is observing a passing plate of food satisfying? Is simply watching the preparation of food truly filling? No, of course not. This is the same with God. Watching others or staring at a closed Bible will not spiritually satisfy us. To savor is to "taste and enjoy completely."
- Psalm 34:8 says to "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." Don't rush through time with Him, bask in His goodness and mercy.
- "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." // Lamentations 3:22-23
Lastly, we are called to share Jesus with others. I don't mean share Him like we teach little kids to do with their toys. I mean telling others about Him through what you say and do, both deliberately and inadvertently.
- "So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God." // 2 Timothy 1:8
As that children's song, "This Little Light of Mine," says, God isn't meant to be hidden under a bush. The first thing most people want to do when something good happens to them is tell someone. So why would we all want to walk around keeping our salvation our best kept secret, when it's the best thing that could ever happen to us?
- "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'" // Romans 10:14-15