We need to be very careful about what we think God expects of us. I used to think that all I needed to do was believe that Jesus died for me so I could go to heaven. That’s it. I had no interest in ministry. That was for other people. I had job and it was enough that I went to church and believed in God.

But God had other plans for me. I began to read the Bible to understand exactly how I was supposed to live. I wanted to hear from God myself. What I learned startled me. The scriptures that I knew from childhood began to convict me for not believing what I already knew. We’re called to live like Jesus lived. That’s why He called Himself the Son of Man, not the Son of God. That’s why He showed us how to pray and said that we would do greater works than He did, because we’re supposed to live like Him.

And He warned us to not live complacently. Just look at the parable of the talents. (Matt 25:14-30) We know that talents were a form of money, but what if we consider that they may also mean talents we are gifted with — music, business, invention, creativity. The one who did nothing whatsoever with what he’d been given was cast into outer darkness. What we do or don’t do for the kingdom matters.

Are you thinking like I used to — He doesn’t really mean it? Or, that’s not about me? You’re wrong. It’s about you, and one day you’ll stand before Him and there will be an accounting of your life. I understand that we don’t go to heaven because of our works, but we’ve been commissioned to be a city on a hill, a light to a dark world. Are we living like Jesus lived? Is the kingdom of God real to us. Do we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind? Do we love others as much as we love ourselves?

Be honest. Be gut-wrenchingly honest. You have to lose your life to Jesus or you lose everything. There’s no compromise. Jesus said, My sheep know My voice,  and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27) Do you hear His voice? Are you following where He is leading. If you are not challenged in your faith, you’re probably not following Him. God will shake up what you think you know so you will have to rely on Him and Him alone.

Don’t be lulled into a passive faith that you think is safe. Jesus said He would spit that lukewarm mindset out of His mouth. He wants a vital, dynamic faith that understands that obedience is better than sacrifice. Read the scriptures for yourself and see where you stand. Many are called, but few are chosen. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, because there is everything to be gained and everything to lose.