What Do I Do With All This?

Read

Romans 10:9 “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Think

We’ve covered a lot this week. Questions about Jesus, the Bible, other religions, sex, doubt, and how Jesus truly stands apart. But none of that matters if it stays theoretical. The real question is this: what are you going to do about it?

At Fellowship Church last Sunday, Cliffe Knechtle said something that landed hard: “If Jesus rose from the dead, you have to take seriously everything he said. If he didn’t, you don’t have to take seriously anything he said.” That is the dividing line.

Jesus does not leave room for neutrality. He is either the risen Lord, or he is not. And Romans 10:9 could not be clearer. Following Jesus means more than liking him. It means declaring that he is Lord—that he has authority over your life—and believing that he really did rise from the dead. Not as myth, not as metaphor, but as reality.

That word “Lord” is not just a church word. It’s a surrender word. It means Jesus is in charge. It means we no longer follow our own way, but his. We no longer build our identity around our job, our past, our success, or even our failures. We build our identity on who he says we are. Loved. Forgiven. Redeemed. Sent.

Believing in your heart is not just about emotion. It’s about trust. It’s about betting your life on the truth of the Gospel. Jesus didn’t call people to believe in vague principles. He called them to believe in him.

So what’s holding you back? For some, it’s fear. “What if I lose control?” You will. That’s the point. But what you gain is far greater. For others, it’s shame. “If God knew what I’ve done…” He does. And he still came. He still offers forgiveness. Some are stuck in questions. That’s okay. Keep asking. Keep seeking. But don’t hide behind uncertainty forever. Eventually, faith requires a step.

Maybe you grew up around religion and assumed you were “in.” But proximity to faith is not the same as participation. Church attendance doesn’t equal surrender. Good morals don’t equal salvation. Jesus wants your whole heart, not just your Sunday best.

Or maybe you’ve followed Jesus for a long time but somewhere along the way, things got stale. You’re coasting. You believe in theory, but not in practice. You’re keeping parts of your life off-limits. Jesus didn’t die for partial obedience. He died for your full heart. Whatever your story, this is the moment. Not to clean yourself up. Not to figure everything out. But to respond.

To say, “Jesus, you are Lord.” To believe, “You are alive.” To receive the grace that changes everything.

Faith isn’t a finish line. It’s a doorway. It’s the beginning of new life, real purpose, and a relationship that goes beyond anything the world offers. Jesus is not looking for perfection. He is looking for surrender. And when you give him that, he gives you more than you could ever imagine.

Apply

Take time today, in a quiet space, to answer this question honestly: where do I really stand with Jesus?

If you’ve never fully trusted him, you can do it now. Pray. Tell him you believe. Invite him to lead your life. Then tell someone you trust. If you already follow him, write down one area of your life that needs to come under his leadership. A relationship. A habit. A fear. Offer it to him today and take one small step in obedience.

Pray

Jesus, I don’t want to stay on the fence. I don’t want to just admire you. I want to follow you. I believe that you died and rose again. I believe that you are Lord. Forgive my sin. Lead my life. Help me surrender what I’ve been holding back and trust you with everything. In Jesus’ name. Amen.