Jesus is Calling: Christianity Without Him

Matthew 7:21-23

When Faith Becomes Just Religion: Is Jesus Really at the Center of Your Christianity?

You go to church, you know the right words to say, you even serve in ministry—but something feels hollow inside. Could it be that somewhere along the way, your Christianity lost Jesus?

Introduction

I want to share something with you that might make you a little uncomfortable, but I think you need to hear it. Jesus once said something that should give all of us pause: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?' Then I will announce to them, 'I never knew you. Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!'" (Matthew 7:21-23, CSB).

Friend, these aren't words meant to scare us, but to wake us up. It's entirely possible to be busy with religious activities—even powerful ones—while missing the heart of faith entirely. And if I'm being honest, I think Christianity without Christ is more common than any of us would like to admit. You might even recognize some of these patterns in your own journey.

The Foundation That Really Matters

When Jesus talked about building on solid rock instead of shifting sand, He wasn't just giving us a nice moral lesson for Sunday school. He was pointing directly to Himself as the only foundation that will hold when life gets hard and when we eventually stand before God.

Here's what I want you to consider today: The question isn't whether you're doing religious things or whether you're generally a good person. The real question is whether Jesus Christ is truly the cornerstone of your faith, or whether you've somehow built a religious life that keeps Him on the sidelines.

When Christianity Loses Its Heart

Let me describe some things you might recognize in your own spiritual life—warning signs that your faith might be drifting from its center.

That Lukewarm Feeling You Can't Shake

"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth" (Revelation 3:15-16, CSB).

You know this feeling, don't you? When church becomes something you just do, when prayer feels like you're going through the motions, when reading your Bible becomes another item on your to-do list. From the outside, your Christian life looks fine, but inside, you feel distant from the One who should be everything to you.

Losing Sight of What Unites Us

"Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all" (Ephesians 4:1-6, CSB).

When our Christianity becomes about our preferences, our comfort zones, or our traditions instead of Christ, something beautiful gets lost. Instead of the unity He died to create, we end up with division where love should flourish.

Forgetting Who We're Following

"For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth" (1 Peter 2:21-22, CSB).

Following Jesus means looking to Him as our example of sacrificial love, humility, and truth. But when we lose sight of Jesus as our model, Christianity becomes about checking boxes and following rules instead of being transformed by relationship.

Seven Patterns That Pull Us Away From Jesus

Let me share some habits I've observed—maybe you'll see yourself in some of these, like I have in my own life:

1. Saying the Right Things While Your Heart Stays the Same

"This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me" (Matthew 15:8, CSB). You can master all the Christian vocabulary while your heart remains untouched. True faith changes you from the inside out.

2. Making Peace With Sin

"If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away" (Matthew 5:29, CSB). When you become comfortable with patterns of sin instead of pursuing holiness, you're walking away from the One who calls you to be like Him.

3. Spiritual Malnutrition

"Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4, CSB). When you neglect God's Word, you're starving yourself spiritually and leaving yourself vulnerable to every idea that sounds appealing.

4. Carrying Grudges

"So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-24, CSB). Unresolved conflicts can create a wall between you and God.

5. Picking and Choosing Your Obedience

"The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me" (John 14:23, CSB). When you cherry-pick which parts of Jesus' teachings to follow, you're revealing a heart that hasn't fully surrendered to His leadership.

6. Taking God's Gifts for Granted

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be required" (Luke 12:48, CSB). When you take God's grace and gifts without using them for His purposes, your heart can gradually become hardened.

7. Going Through the Motions

When worship, service, and Christian fellowship become routine rather than expressions of your love for Jesus, you're in dangerous territory.

Finding Your Way Back to Jesus

Here's the beautiful truth I want you to hold onto: Jesus is always calling you back to Himself. The way home is simpler than you might think.

Know Who You Are in Him

"This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commands. The one who says, 'I know him,' and doesn't keep his commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the love of God is made complete. This is how we know we are in him: The one who says he remains in him should walk just as he walked" (1 John 2:3-6, CSB).

"Let love be genuine. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord" (Romans 12:9-11, CSB).

Listen, following Jesus isn't about perfect performance—it's about authentic relationship. When you truly know Him, your life naturally begins to reflect His character. Let His love for you kindle genuine love in your heart for others.

Reconnect With His Mission

"Jesus came near and said to them, 'All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age'" (Matthew 28:18-20, CSB).

When you focus on Jesus' mission of making disciples, your faith naturally becomes more Christ-centered. You simply can't effectively share Him with others if He's not central to your own life.

Your Personal Action Plan

Let me give you something practical to work with:

This Week:

• Set aside 10 minutes each day to read Matthew 7:21-29. Ask yourself honestly: "Is Jesus truly the foundation of my faith, or have I built something else?"

• Pick one area where you've been going through religious motions and ask God to renew your heart there

  
  

This Month:

• Have a real conversation with someone you trust about your spiritual life—not the surface stuff, but the deep things

• Look at those seven patterns I mentioned and choose one that hits home. Take one concrete step to address it

• Find a way to serve others that flows naturally from your love for Jesus, not from obligation

  
  

Moving Forward:

• Regularly check your motivations: Are you serving, worshipping, and obeying because you love Jesus, or for other reasons?

• Stay connected with other believers who will encourage you and lovingly hold you accountable

• Remember that becoming like Jesus is a lifelong process—be patient with yourself as God works in your life

  
  

What's Your Next Step?

Jesus is calling your name today. He's not asking for perfect religious performance—He's inviting you into authentic relationship with Him. If you've recognized yourself in some of these warning signs, don't get discouraged. Be grateful that God's Spirit is drawing you back to what matters most.

Right now, wherever you are, talk to Jesus honestly about your faith journey. Tell Him about the places where you've drifted. Ask Him to help you build your life on the solid foundation of truly knowing and following Him.

Remember, Christianity isn't a set of rules or traditions to master—it's a relationship with the living Christ who loves you deeply, died for you willingly, and wants to transform you gradually into His likeness. That relationship is available to you right now, as fresh and life-giving as the day you first believed.

The question isn't whether you're perfect—none of us are. The question is whether Jesus is at the center of your imperfect, growing, beautiful faith journey. And friend, He's waiting for you with open arms.

Blessings,

Donna