Are You Just Covering Your Bases

Are you covering your bases, or have you actually surrendered your life to Jesus Christ and to God?

I guess I'm speaking to us professing Christians.

Why did you accept Christ? And how is it changing and growing you?

I bring this up because I read today in Proverbs 9:10: "Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord, and understanding begins with knowing the Holy One." (Proverbs 9:10 NCV)

So what does this level of wisdom look like in practical ways? Let me start with a quick story about a friend.

I know this guy I respect a lot. He accepted Jesus, at least he professes it. I think he was sincere when he did it. But years later, he told me why. He said, "It's just smart to cover all of your bases."

It made me think he was accepting Christ as fire insurance. Like salvation is a ticket you punch so you don't go to hell, but it doesn't really change anything about how you live Monday through Saturday.

Here's the problem with my friend: He doesn't go to church. Doesn't read his Bible. Doesn't pray. There's no fruit. What's wrong with this picture? Is he saved?

Christ addressed this one time. He said: "Not all those who say that I am their Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. The only people who will enter the kingdom of heaven are those who do what my Father in heaven wants. On the last day many people will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, we spoke for you, and through you we forced out demons and did many miracles.' Then I will tell them clearly, 'Get away from me, you who do evil. I never knew you.'" (Matthew 7:21-23 NCV)

I think those are strong words: "The only people who will enter the kingdom of heaven are those who DO what my Father in heaven wants."

So what do you do that makes your Christianity stand out from those who are not Christians? Why did you accept Christ? Were you just covering the bases? Looking for blessing? Fire insurance?

Before any of us judge my buddy, let's talk about us church folks.

How is church attendance, listening to Christian music, your Bible reading, whatever you are doing as a Christian, how's it growing and changing you? Have you grown? Eroded? Or just plateaued?

Do you love God for God? Or do you love Him for what He can do for you?

Do you want to really know Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit? Do you want to know how they think, who they are, what they love, and what breaks their heart? Or do you just want the benefits package: forgiveness, heaven, and answered prayers?

It's like friendship. Do you have friends because of who they are? Or because of what they can do for you? That's the difference between a transactional relationship and a real one founded on love.

As Proverbs said, there's something profound that happens when you truly see God as the Creator and yourself as the creation. Understanding begins with knowing the Holy One, God. How well do you know Him?

So who is Gd? Well one time He said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." (Genesis 1:3 NCV) No materials. No tools. He spoke, and galaxies formed. Stars ignited. Planets found their orbits.

He breathed life into the first man. "Then the Lord God took dust from the ground and formed a man from it. He breathed the breath of life into the man's nose, and the man became a living person." (Genesis 2:7 NCV)

Think about the intricacy of His creation. Not just the universe, but a human being. An animal. The instincts hardwired into creatures. The conscience He placed inside us. The built-in moral compass. The fact that we're relational beings, created in His image.

This is the God we're talking about. And this perspective? It means everything.

Ya know, I think what drives the train of my life is Jesus Christ. First, He saves my soul when I die. He lived a life I was not willing to live. He lived a perfect life that God requires of us. But Jesus did it specifically for you and me.

So not only is He my Savior, He's my Lord. Something will lord over your life. What's lording over you now?

Is it gratitude for being saved? And from that gratitude, does it inspire you to follow the things Christ teaches? Because everything He teaches, God spoke to Him about. Living out God's ways brings life. It heals. It inspires. It energizes you and me.

"So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship." (Romans 12:1 NCV)

If something else is lording over you, your career, your comfort, your reputation, your kids' success, your hobbies, your schedule, your money, then you've got a different god. Maybe you've just dressed it up in Christian language.

Let me ask you some truthful questions.

Has knowing God changed you? How generous are you with your money? Not just tithing out of obligation, but genuinely open-handed with what the Creator has given you?

Are you willing to get messy and help people who are struggling? To actually get involved in their lives, not just send a text that says, "Praying for you"?

Do you have time for others? Or is your schedule so packed with your priorities that there's no room for what God might be asking you to do?

What does your prayer life actually look like? Is it five minutes of "bless this food" and "help me get through the day"? Or are you spending real time talking with God, listening to Him, wrestling with Him?

How much do you pray with others who are struggling? Not just for them in private, but with them, bearing their burdens alongside them. Why not just go right into prayer with them, right then, right when they need you?

How does your life look different, privately different, than a non-believer?

You can't claim to love someone and never spend time with them. You can't claim to know someone and have no interest in what they think, what they value, what they want from you.

We do love the Savior part of Christ. But how is the Lord part changing you?

When we respect and know God, He will empower us to do things we cannot do on our own. But here's the question: What's your knee-jerk reflex, to act or to pray? To try to figure it out yourself or lean into God Almighty?

I hope this rattles you a bit. It does me. If it doesn't rattle us, maybe that's a sign we should notice.

Am I really saved or do I just act like a Christian? Is the world and the worries of the world choking out my time with God?

Jesus said: "What is the seed that fell among the thorny weeds? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching but lets worries about this life and the temptation of wealth stop that teaching from growing. So the teaching does not produce fruit in that person's life. But what is the seed that fell on the good ground? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching and understands it. That person grows and produces fruit." (Matthew 13:22-23 NCV)

Only the fourth soil grew and produced real fruit. Do you have real fruit? How are you different?

Because it all starts with respect and knowledge of God. Not just knowing about Him. Knowing Him.

"If you love me, you will obey my commands." (John 14:15 NCV)

Not if you want to use Me. Not if you want to cover your bases. If you love Me.

So what will you do with this today? Will it change your ways? Or will you say "that's a good message" and move on with no change?

Maybe it's time to draw a line in the sand. Write "START" on it. And at least try to finish our lives well with God and with others.

Consider this:

First, get alone with God and ask Him: "Lord, do I love You for You? Or do I love You for what You can do for me? Is there any area of my life where I'm still trying to be in control? Where I'm covering my bases instead of surrendering my heart?" And then listen. Really listen.

Second, develop a real prayer life. Not five-minute bless-the-food prayers. A real, ongoing conversation with the Creator of the universe.

"Pray continually." (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NCV) Make prayer your knee-jerk reflex for yourself and with your friend or family member.

Third, pick one thing where you know God has been asking you to obey and do it. Not out of duty. Out of love. Maybe it's generosity. Maybe it's forgiveness. Maybe it's serving someone. Stop fooling yourself and obey Him because you love Him.

Fourth, find someone who's struggling and get involved. Not from a distance. Get messy. Love them the way Christ loved you. "By helping each other with your troubles, you truly obey the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2 NCV)

The difference between covering your bases and surrendering your life is the difference between using God and loving Him. Between wanting salvation and wanting the Savior. Between being safe and saved versus being sold out.

God, please help me pause and truly consider if I desire to know You, respect You and love You, not just what You can do for me. I honestly ask for time when I need something, when I have trouble and in need. What I really need to do is talk with You, praise You, thank You, and yes, ask for help for myself and my friends and family. Please give me a desire to desire You, not just ask for stuff. I do love You. I do love Jesus Christ. I do need the help from the Holy Spirit. IJNIP amen ♥️