The scriptures enjoin us to constantly examine ourselves to verify the status of our faith (2Cor 13:5). We can’t afford to behave anyhow and assume that everything is okay.
You examine yourself by observing your thought processes, lifestyle, choices, actions, priorities, and desires. In fact, we were taught in educational psychology that learning has occurred when there is a relatively permanent change in behaviour.
There is definitely a problem with Christianity that never reflects in a person’s lifestyle and behaviour. I remember Jesus saying ‘by their fruits we shall know them’. That truth is still valid today. Be careful when self will takes center stage over and above God’s will.
I’ve seen too many ‘believers’ who have unscriptural arguments about how they choose to live, and how they choose to serve God. They don’t care about what the ‘Book’ says, they just want to do what seems good to them.
We can’t serve God on our terms. Our service is only acceptable on His terms!
Jesus is not your ‘Lord’ if He does not determine the choices you make and how you live your life. Paul admonished Timothy to ‘be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.‘
1 Timothy 4:12 HCSB.
All those things mentioned were going to be the proof that Timothy was a believer.
Titus 1:16 (ESV) captures the matter succinctly:
‘They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.‘
Brethren, it’s time to sit back, rethink, and realign with the will and counsel of God.