I recently started reading a book titled Contend: Standing Boldly for Biblical Truth While Winning the War Within by Philip Anthony Mitchell. Right in the first chapter, titled “The Enemy Within,” I came across a passage that made me stop and think.
He writes:
Biblical preaching has been replaced by secular, humanistic speeches disguised as Christian doctrine. Pulpits that proclaimed the Cross now sound like talk shows. We have swapped the words of Jesus from “take up your cross and follow Me” with the popular worldly call to “follow your heart.” The result is a gospel of self that shines the spotlight on us instead of the Savior.
He then describes how modern Christianity has embraced messages such as “God wants you to live your best life,” “Manifest your dreams into existence,” and “Don’t let anyone tell you who you are.”
His point is simple but powerful: We have gradually replaced Christ-centered Christianity with a version of faith that revolves around ourselves.
And that got me thinking about an important question:
Is Yeshua really our Master and King, or have we reduced Him to a life coach who simply teaches us how to live happier, more successful, and more comfortable lives?
🚨 SUPER IMPORTANT TO READ: 🚨
Editor’s note: This list of books is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Moreover, I have my own fundamental beliefs that may differ from that of the authors, creators, and sellers of the products featured here. Moreover, you can also choose to read books I have written or enroll in my best online course. Ultimately, whatever books you choose in this list, make sure you study your Bible first because it is always the best of the best books of all time Here’s a list of Bibles that you should have. Finally, I am an Amazon Affiliate Program participant. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. I would highly appreciate it if you buy books through my site. Thank you!
We Want a Savior, But Do We Want a King?
Let’s be honest.
Most people love the idea of having a Savior. We want someone who forgives our sins, comforts us when life becomes difficult, answers our prayers, and promises us eternal life.
But what happens when that same Savior tells us to surrender our desires, abandon our sinful habits, deny ourselves, and obey His commandments?
Suddenly, things become uncomfortable.
We want His blessings, but not necessarily His instructions. We want His protection, but not His authority. We want Him to rescue us from our problems, but we don’t always want Him interfering with the way we live.
In other words, we want a Savior without a Master.
But that is not the Christianity Yeshua taught.
In Luke 6:46, He asked a question that should make every professing Christian examine himself:
“Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?”
Think about that. Yeshua did not question whether people called Him Lord. He questioned whether their actions reflected that confession.
Calling Him Lord while refusing to obey Him is a contradiction.
Christ Did Not Come to Improve Your Old Life
Modern self-help Christianity often presents Yeshua as someone who exists to make our lives better. Follow His principles, develop a positive mindset, discover your purpose, and unlock your potential.
While biblical wisdom certainly produces benefits in our lives, that is not the primary reason Christ called us.
He called us to repentance, transformation, and obedience.
In Luke 9:23, Yeshua said:
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
Notice what He did not say. He did not tell us to follow our hearts, pursue every ambition, or make ourselves the center of our existence.
He told us to deny ourselves.
That means our desires must sometimes take a back seat to God’s will. Our opinions must bow to His Word. Our preferences must never become more important than His commandments.
Christ is not simply offering us a better version of our old lives. He is calling us to become new people.
So, Who Really Sits on the Throne of Your Life?
Here is something worth considering: You can attend church every week, read your Bible daily, listen to sermons, and even call yourself a devoted Christian while still allowing yourself to occupy the throne of your heart.
The real test of discipleship is not how much religious activity we perform. It is whether we are willing to submit to God’s authority when His Word challenges what we want to believe or do.
When God’s commandments conflict with our preferences, which one wins?
When Scripture confronts our habits, are we willing to change?
When following Christ costs us something, will we still follow Him?
These questions reveal whether we are truly following our Master or merely looking for someone to make our lives easier.
Yeshua is not our life coach. He is our Lord, Master, and King. And genuine discipleship means allowing Him to rule over every area of our lives.
We do not follow Christ simply because He makes our lives better. We follow Him because He is worthy of our complete surrender.
If this message resonates with you, I encourage you to read Contend: Standing Boldly for Biblical Truth While Winning the War Within by Philip Anthony Mitchell.
It challenges believers to recognize the dangers of false teaching, resist spiritual compromise, and confront the internal battles that weaken their walk with God.
Because standing for biblical truth requires more than knowing what is right. It requires the courage to live it.
Discover more from Becoming Christians
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.