Have you ever considered how much non-Christian activity goes on in the name of Christianity? For example, go to the YMCA (Young Men’s “Christian” Association) website and try to find anything pertaining to Jesus’ gospel. There are even cults that operate under the Christian label. Furthermore, consider all those who consider themselves Christian yet don’t understand what discipleship means, nor are their lives characterized by discipleship. Many have their own ideas about what it means to be a Christian, while those notions have no basis in the scriptures whatsoever.

I suppose I could simply ask, “Are you a Christian, or are you a disciple of Jesus Christ?” Do you even know what it means to be his disciple? Is it possible that you believe you’re a Christian even though you do not actively follow Jesus? Do you realize that the New Testament knows nothing of a salvation apart from faithful obedience to Christ’s commands?

Our Lord Jesus made some pretty stringent demands on those who would follow him. He said, “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27) Bearing a cross refers to giving up your life in sacrificial love for others. It’s what Jesus did and we’re to follow in his steps. It means disciples are those who give up their lives in self-denying service and faithful proclamation of the gospel.

Is it possible that you believe you’re a Christian even though you do not actively follow Jesus?

I am concerned that biblical discipleship is not being made clear in our churches. It grieves my heart to see many young people leaving the faith. There seems to be a lack of any meaningful difference in the lives of many who profess faith. While it’s hard to determine, I wonder how many of these professors exhibit any spiritual appetite for the Word of God or have any prayer life at all.

With these things in mind, I thought I’d ask a few probing questions that will allow you to examine your own heart. And please understand, I’m not judging anyone or attempting to make anyone doubt their salvation. On the contrary, I’m only hoping to solidify in your hearts and minds what it really means to follow Jesus. Also, I’ve purposely chosen three questions that are not usually asked in regard to personal faith. So, here goes:

1. Do you sing in church?

Those who have been delivered from sin’s bondage and experienced the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ have a song in their heart. I’ve often wondered what goes on in the minds of those who stand in worship services and never sing. David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, wrote: “He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.” (Psalm 40:3)

Perhaps you would say, “I can’t sing.” Well, that’s simply not true. If you have a voice you, can sing. You, like myself, may not sing well, but you can sing. Can we agree that it’s better not to be able to sing well and have a song, than to sing well and not have a song. If this is you, ask yourself why you aren’t singing during worship and do not be satisfied until you know you’ve sincerely answered this question for yourself.

2. Are you learning the Bible?

A disciple is a learner. When it comes to our faith, the way we learn how to follow Jesus is by getting into the Bible. He’ll tell you what you need to do if you’re willing to spend time in His Word. He’ll show what’s wrong in your life, how to correct it, and how to walk in faith. The Bible is the “sword of the Spirit” and as such, it cuts deeply into the hearts of those who earnestly desire to follow Christ. So, ask yourself, “When was the last time I sat down with my Bible and earnestly sought to know and live it better?” If you can’t remember when that was, you should seriously question if you should call yourself a Christian.

If you have no appetite for the Bible it means one of three things:

1. You’re filling your mind with other things. Remember your mom saying no to that cookie because it would spoil your supper? The world offers a plethora of cerebral junk foods that kill our appetite for Scripture. So, maybe it’s time you turn off the television, put down the game controller, and lay aside your devices to see what God has to say to your heart.

2. You’re spiritually sick. You know how appetite disappears when you’re really sick. The same thing can happen on a spiritual level. There may be a particular sin that’s dominating your life right now and it’s alienating you from Jesus. The Bible says. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.” (Psalm 66:18)

3. You’re spiritually dead. That’s right, dead people don’t eat. Having no appetite for God’s Word may be a sign that your still dead in your sins. In that case, you stand in need of repentance and faith. Jesus would say, “You must be born again!”

3. Who are your closest friends?

If your closest friends are unbelievers, and you feel more comfortable around them than around other believers, your faith is suspect. I’m not saying you shouldn’t have non-believing friends. In fact, we all should strive to establish relationships with those who need Jesus in hopes of leading them to faith.

The Bible says, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.” (1 John 3:14) The mutual faith we share in Christ bonds us together in the deepest kind of love and fellowship. If you have more in common with unbelievers than believers, it may be because you’re one of them.

The reason this is on my heart is because I believe the church is in desperate need of revival. We need a new spiritual awakening that brings conviction and repentance to lost church members. In these days of moral decline and spiritual apostasy, I pray that God will open blinded eyes and break hardened hearts by the power of the gospel. May the Spirit of God begin the work in me.