Pray First

Below is each of the tough questions in bold. Following each of the tough questions are another couple of additional questions to help you clarify your thoughts and answers. I have also added some Scripture where I felt it is appropriate.

I would encourage you to pray before attempting to answer these questions.

Pray that God would open your heart and mind to what He is trying to communicate to you. Pray that the Holy Spirit would bring clarity and discernment to this process and that He would empower you to take action wherever it is necessary.

Tough Question #1

Am I a radical, extreme disciple of Jesus or a lukewarm, average person who associates himself with the Christian faith?

What stereotypes come to mind when I ask this question?

What behavior of mine supports my answer to this question?

Is my answer an easy one or am I struggling to answer the question?

Tough Question #2

Does my personal life reflect my answer to Question #1?

Where is the evidence in my checkbook or calendar?

Would my closest friends agree with my answer?

Is my answer better or worse today than it would have been 5 years ago?

Tough Question #3

Does the quality of my marriage reflect my answer to Question #1?

Would my spouse agree with my answer?

Am I doing my part to help him or her grow in their faith?

What are opportunities to improve this picture?

Tough Question #4

Do the lives of my children reflect my answer to Question #1?

What is the evidence that my children are following my example?

If so, am I glad they are following my example?

How would they answer Question #1 for me?

Tough Question #5

Do my business practices reflect my answer to Question #1?

What would my employees or coworkers (current and former) say about my answer?

How would my business competitors answer Question #1 for me?

Would my customers, vendors, or suppliers have a different answer for me?

Bonus Question

Does Scripture lead me to believe that Jesus is looking for a radical, extreme disciple or a lukewarm, average person who associates himself with the Christian faith?

Luke 9:62
Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his had to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Luke 14:26
If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.

Revelation 3:15-16
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that 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.”

Isaiah 29:13-14
Because these people approach Me with their mouths
to honor Me with lip-service—
yet their hearts are far from Me,
and their worship consists of man-made rules
learned by rote—
therefore I will again confound these people
with wonder after wonder.

Summary

Hopefully, these tough questions generated the same thoughts and concerns for you that they did for me. These questions are not intended to cause you to feel guilty or beat up. They ARE intended to get you and me to stop and assess our commitment to following the pattern Jesus gave us.

Photo by Lucky Business/Shutterstock