I make no apology for believing that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. I do not embrace religious systems that deny His deity, reject His cross, or offer some other way to God. Jesus said plainly:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
—John 14:6, KJV
However, rejecting false religion does not mean that I hate the people who practice it. Every person is a soul for whom Christ died. We are commanded to love them, pray for them, and faithfully point them to the Saviour. My concern is not only with religions outside Christianity. I am also deeply concerned about what much of modern Christianity has become.
Many people claim the name of Christ while refusing to live under the authority of Christ. They want Jesus as their Saviour, but they do not want Him as their Lord. They desire forgiveness without repentance, heaven without holiness, and the promises of God without obedience to the commandments of God.
Jesus did not leave the meaning of love open to interpretation. He said:
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
—John 14:15, KJV
Love for Christ is more than an emotional feeling, a public profession, or attendance at church. Our love for Him is demonstrated by our willingness to obey Him. We are not saved by keeping commandments, but those who have truly been saved will desire to obey the One who saved them.
Jesus also said:
“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
—Luke 6:46, KJV
That question should trouble every professing Christian. We may sing about Jesus, preach about Jesus, and claim to believe in Jesus, but if we deliberately reject His teachings, can we honestly say that He is Lord of our lives?
The Sermon on the Mount Goes to the Heart
The Sermon on the Mount is not a collection of pleasant suggestions. It is Christ’s description of life under the rule of God. In it, Jesus took commandments known under the Old Testament law and revealed their deeper spiritual meaning.
The Old Testament commandment said:
“Thou shalt not kill.”
—Exodus 20:13, KJV
Jesus carried that command beyond the physical act of murder and brought it into the heart:
“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.”
—Matthew 5:22, KJV
The law dealt with the act of murder. Jesus dealt with the anger, hatred, and bitterness from which murder grows.
The Old Testament said:
“Thou shalt not commit adultery.”
—Exodus 20:14, KJV
Jesus went deeper:
“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
—Matthew 5:28, KJV
The Old Testament commandment condemned the outward act. Jesus addressed the inward desire. He showed us that sin begins before the hand performs it. It begins in the heart.
Jesus also taught:
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
—Matthew 5:43–44, KJV
This is not natural human behavior. We cannot love our enemies, forgive those who injure us, or pray sincerely for those who mistreat us through human determination alone. Such obedience requires a changed heart and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Christ did not lower the moral requirements of God. He carried them beyond outward behavior and placed them within the heart. Under the New Covenant, God does not merely command us from tablets of stone. He writes His law within us:
“I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts.”
—Hebrews 8:10, KJV
Christianity Without a Changed Heart
The great tragedy of our time is that many people have been taught that they can become Christians without being transformed. They repeat a prayer, join a church, adopt a religious label, and then continue living as they lived before.
The Bible says:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
—2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV
True conversion produces change. This does not mean that a Christian immediately becomes perfect in knowledge, judgment, or conduct. It does mean that the direction of the life changes. Sin is no longer defended as a personal right. The believer begins to hunger for righteousness, grieve over disobedience, and desire to please God.
Religion may change a person’s vocabulary. Christ changes the heart.
Religion may place a Bible in someone’s hand. Christ places love, truth, mercy, and holiness within the soul.
Religion may bring a person into a church building. Only the Holy Spirit can make that person a dwelling place for God.
Paul wrote:
“Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
—Romans 8:9, KJV
That is strong language, but it is Scripture. Christianity without the Holy Spirit is merely a religious form. It may have buildings, programs, music, money, political influence, and impressive crowds, yet remain spiritually powerless.
Paul warned of those:
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
—2 Timothy 3:5, KJV
Who Sits Upon the Throne of Your Heart?
The Bible teaches that the believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Ghost:
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you?”
—1 Corinthians 6:19, KJV
Every temple has an object of worship, and every kingdom has a throne. The question is not whether there is a throne within the heart. The question is who occupies it.
For many professing Christians, self still sits upon that throne. Personal desires govern their choices. Political loyalties shape their convictions. Anger controls their words. Money directs their decisions. Pride determines how they treat others. They call Jesus “Lord,” but they reserve the right to overrule Him whenever His commandments interfere with what they want.
Christ will not serve as an adviser to a heart governed by self. He must be Lord.
When Christ sits upon the throne of the heart, He changes how we speak, how we forgive, how we treat our enemies, how we use our possessions, and how we respond when someone wrongs us. He changes what we love and what we hate. We begin to love righteousness and hate sin—not sinners, but the sin that destroys them.
It Is Time to Examine Ourselves
Paul wrote:
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.”
—2 Corinthians 13:5, KJV
The greatest danger facing the church may not be the false religions outside its doors. It may be the false assurance inside them. Many have mistaken church membership for conversion, religious activity for holiness, and political involvement for spiritual power.
We must ask ourselves some honest questions:
Does Christ truly rule my heart?
Do I obey His commandments when they conflict with my desires?
Do I love my enemies?
Do I forgive those who have wronged me?
Do I hunger and thirst after righteousness?
Is the fruit of the Spirit evident in my life?
Has my heart truly been changed?
Jesus said:
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
—Matthew 7:21, KJV
We are not saved by outward works. We are saved by grace through faith. Nevertheless, saving faith does not leave a person unchanged. When Christ enters the heart, He brings a new nature, a new direction, and a new desire to obey Him.
Christianity is not merely believing certain facts about Jesus. It is surrendering our lives to Jesus. It is allowing the Holy Spirit to cleanse the temple of our heart and place Christ upon its throne.
The question is not simply, “Do I call myself a Christian?”
The real question is, “Does Jesus Christ reign within me?”
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