Part 2 - Are We Truly Following Jesus or Just Playing Church?

Welcome back, family!

Today, we’re diving deep into something that’s not just close to my heart—but even closer to my King’s. This isn’t just another lesson; it’s a call to realignment, a wake-up call to step into something deeper with God. So lean in, open your heart, and let’s go after truth together!

In my last post, I pointed out that these days it’s getting harder to tell the difference between an average Christian and an unbeliever. We seem to share the same sins, ideologies, and even perspectives. The only thing that sets us apart is the “Christian” label we cling to. But what happens when Christianity becomes nothing more than a title, rather than a way of life?

We blend in. We conform. We justify sin in the name of grace. And worst of all, we have stopped preaching the whole gospel—the one that calls us to holiness and righteousness, not just mercy and blessings.

But here’s the truth: Christianity is not a title; it’s a way of life. Jesus never called us to be churchgoers; He called us to be disciples.

Salvation Is Just the Beginning—What Comes Next?

For so long, I thought accepting Christ was enough. Like many of us, I had an emotional experience at the altar, cried my eyes out, and felt changed—for a moment. But after a few months, I found myself back in the same cycle. Not doing anything “crazy” by the world’s standards, but still compromising, still blending in, still lukewarm.

Why? Because I had accepted Jesus as Savior but not as Lord. I wanted His rescue, but not His rule. My decision to follow God was purely emotional—based on a moment, a feeling, an experience. And let’s be real, emotions are about as stable as the weather. One day you’re on fire for God, the next day you’re back in old cycles because the “feeling” faded.

But here’s the truth: anything built on emotions alone will always be unstable. A relationship with God that’s driven by feelings will never stand the test of time. Why? Because emotions shift, but Lordship requires surrender—daily consistency, even when you don’t feel like it.

Following Jesus isn’t about riding an emotional high; it’s about committing to Him even when the feelings aren’t there. True transformation happens when you move beyond emotion and into obedience.

Nobody told me that salvation is just the doorway, but discipleship is the journey. The Bible says:

“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” —Philippians 2:12

We don’t just receive salvation and then sit back, doing whatever we please. We have to walk it out—daily.

The Church Without Transformation

Look around. Churches are full, but transformation is rare. We have churchgoers who have been there for years but are still gossiping, still bitter, still envious, still caught in the same sins. Why? Because they’ve accepted a version of Christianity that allows them to have Jesus on their terms.

“I want Jesus, but I still want to fornicate sometimes.”

“I want Jesus, but I’ll still get drunk here and there.”

“I want Jesus, but I’m still going to watch what I know I shouldn’t.”

We want Jesus and our sin. But the gospel doesn’t work that way.

Jesus isn’t just the Lamb; He is also the Lion. He is merciful, but He is also Judge. And we don’t get to choose which side of Him we want.

“Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” —Ephesians 4:24

Holiness and righteousness—two words the modern church avoids preaching, but without them, we are preaching an incomplete gospel.

My Wake-Up Call: From Lukewarm to All In

I knew of God for years, but I didn’t know Him. Then in 2023, life hit me so hard that I had no choice but to run to Jesus. For the first time, I wasn’t just experiencing God emotionally—I was encountering Him completely.

Surrender wasn’t easy. He started asking me to let go of things—friendships, habits, goals, desires. Things I thought were harmless. But as I laid them down, I realized something: God wasn’t taking things away from me to punish me. He was stripping away the distractions so I could finally see Him clearly.

And as I surrendered, my desires changed. The things I once loved didn’t satisfy me anymore. Instead of binge-watching TV, I found myself binge-reading the Bible. Instead of craving social media, I craved His presence. I read my Bible from Genesis to Revelation multiple times. I, the girl who hated reading, devoured over 20 spiritual books in a year. That wasn’t my doing—it was evidence of the transformative power of grace.

When Jesus becomes Lord, He takes over every area of your life. It’s uncomfortable at first because your flesh will resist it, but trust me—it’s the best thing that can happen to you.

What True Discipleship Looks Like

Salvation is the invitation. Discipleship is the journey.

Too many of us stop at salvation because no one teaches us the next step. But if you truly want to follow Jesus, you must:

1. Make the Bible Your Daily Bread – You can’t grow in Christ if you’re spiritually starving. Read it daily, not just when you feel like it. Schedule a daily time you meet with God consistently like an appointment - I’ll discuss the importance of this in another post and dive into the topics of covenant time, priesthood and altars.

2. Pray Without Ceasing – Prayer isn’t just for emergencies; it’s your lifeline.

3. Find a Fellowship That Challenges You – Surround yourself with people who are serious about God. Not perfect people, but people who are pursuing Him.

4. Obey, Even When It Costs You – Walking with God means letting go of things that don’t align with Him. Yes, it will cost you, but trust me—what He gives in return is far greater.

No More Playing Church—It’s Time to Follow Jesus

Friends, accepting Christ as your Savior is just the beginning. Emotions will always ebb and flow, but if your relationship with God is based solely on feelings, it’s bound to be unstable. Walking with Him is about commitment and consistency. It’s about making Jesus the Lord of every area of your life—your mind, your actions, your very being.

True transformation doesn’t come from an emotional high or the comfort of a Sunday service routine—it comes from a complete surrender to His will. It’s about stepping up and living out a full, holistic, and disciplined walk with God. It’s time to move from mere salvation to true discipleship.

Because the reality is, Jesus doesn’t want fans—He wants disciples. Following Him will cost you everything you once held dear, but in losing everything, you gain Him. Let’s stop settling for lukewarm and start living a life that truly reflects the Kingdom. The journey won’t be easy, but it’s the only path that leads to a deeper, unshakeable relationship with the One who loves you more than anything.

The call is clear—will you answer it?