“For in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I did not speak to your fathers or command them concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’” – Jeremiah 7:22-23
God’s pattern hasn’t changed in over 3000 years! His top priority for His people still isn’t about rituals or the appearance of religiosity. His top priority remains that His people listen and obey the commands of Scripture. If you’re a follower of Jesus, then you’re a beloved child of God and His main concern isn’t about how Christian you might appear to others. His concern is how Christ-like you actually are. In your actions. In your words. In your attitudes. In your thoughts.
Jesus made clear that saving faith in Him will always result in obedience to His commands. It doesn’t matter how nice you dress on Sundays, what magnets you have on your car, or what Christian-themed jewelry or tattoos you have. What matters is whether you’re actually following Jesus, seeking to get ever closer to Him, obeying Him, and being transformed by the Holy Spirit to actually be more and more like Him.
Are you loving God and neighbors more and more? Are the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) increasingly visible in your life to EVERYONE who knows you? Are you making disciples? That’s what demonstrates that you are walking in the Lord! That’s what delights God as you delight in Him.
Don’t focus on appearances, decorations, or rituals. Focus on genuine worship, on drawing near to God daily through Scripture reading, meditation, and prayer, on regularly enjoying the fellowship of other believers, on serving God in the power of the Holy Spirit, and on joyfully sharing your hope in Christ with other people. #FollowJesus