In your imperfect human nature, do you love him? Do you seek a deeper knowledge of him? Are you available to his leading? Can he use you? Are you an empty vessel? Have you humbled yourself before the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords?

You're supposed to see him as your Lord. Do you realize what that means?

A speaker at a workshop once said that we often ride the fence, refusing to give up our lives. He approaches Jesus despite his failings with this openness: "Anytime. Anywhere. Any cost."

Your walk with the Lord is not measured by a specific formula. He's not watching to see how many people you talk to about him, how many times you pray, how long you pray and which study guide you use to understand the Bible a little better.

He knows you better than yourself. He knows your heart. He knows your desires. If you really love him, he knows that too.

Maybe you became a Christian at some point, but you're saddled by some painful memories or circumstances. Maybe you struggle to open yourself up to the healing touch and presence of the Lord. He understands. He just wants to help you along the way.

What's going on in your soul? Even if you don't quite act on all of your inner longings and desires, how do you perceive Jesus?

What are you willing to do, give up and change for the cause of Christ? He can do all without you, but he wants you with him anyway. "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit" (John 15:16).

What fruit are you bearing? When have you shared your faith with someone else to help expand the kingdom? How are you being the hands, ears, eyes, feet and arms of Jesus?

Is Jesus your first love?

Are you really a Christian? Are you denying yourself? "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, 'If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.'" (Matthew 16:24).

You need to have your eyes, your heart fixed on Jesus. In his Word, he talks about your nature and what's in your best interest.

Maybe you've wondered how "perfect" you need to be. If you belong to Jesus, he'll accept you as you are and work with you. Your life, this journey as a child of God, is a pilgrimage and a process. "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

Why resist what's good for you? Are your choices pleasing to the Lord? Where are you taking Jesus with you today? What kind of words are coming out of your mouth? What are you doing with your leisure time? With whom do you share your body and what do you put in it? "Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit."

The Lord is faithful and he sent his Holy Spirit to be with those who sincerely believe in him. For us, one of the most reassuring verses in the Bible is Romans 8:13: "For if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live."

Do you honestly think Jesus will determine where you spend eternity by saying: "Well done, my servant. You were a Catholic/Baptist/Lutheran/Methodist...."

Or will he say: "Now let's see, you scored 102,987 good points and only 99,117 bad points. Welcome to my kingdom. I have this great mansion for you."

And he won't say: "I know you genuinely committed your life to me when you were 32-years-old, and you let me into your heart. You let me do a lot with you. But you didn't let me do enough with you. I had a certain level in mind for you and you didn't make it. I couldn't sanctify you all the way in your lifetime, so here's your ticket to hell."

It's not the religion that you favor or the church building where you spend an hour or two most weeks (John 3:3). It's not how much money you give (Acts 8:20) or whether you obeyed every commandment (Galatians 2:16).

Do you belong to Jesus? Are you really a Christian?

Matthew 7:13-23: