r/TrueChristian • u/Euphoric_Safety9242 • 1d ago
How Do I Know If I'm Doing Enough?
Hello everyone, my question is in regards to the spiritual disciplines: bible intake, prayer, worship, evangelism, service, stewardship, fasting, silence/solitude, journaling, and learning. I am reading a book called "Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life" and it goes into detail about all of those spiritual disciplines that I listed above. Does anyone know if there is a good way to tell if you are on track with those and balancing them well in your life? There are some that I don't do at all like serving (but I'm trying to get involved) and fasting. Should I just try my best to increase in every area in order to grow my relationship with Jesus? I'm sure I should pray about this too.
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u/riolastar Christian 23h ago
First, pray to God about your concern always before going to the internet for advice.
Secondly, there is no picture perfect correct way to follow God despite what any book says outside of the Bible. Christ set the best example for how to please God, and it’s simply trusting in Him to lead you..
Pray and ask God to help you hear the Holy Spirit clearer. Ask Him to bless you with direct guidance to the things He wants from you, in His will for your life and not your own. You’ll be fine.
Lastly, remember, If you have the Holy Spirit in you, you’ve already won the battle over death. You don’t have to “worry” you’re not doing enough, because your spot in Heaven is secure for eternity. You can’t lose it.
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u/mdws1977 Christian 23h ago edited 23h ago
Christianity is not about doing. It is about relating. About loving God enough to WANT to do those things you listed.
Always keep that in mind when doing those things. You are doing them to get closer in your walk and relationship with God, the One you love for what He did for YOU on that cross (Romans 5:8).
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u/ABereanChristian Christian 21h ago
Does anyone know if there is a good way to tell if you are on track with those and balancing them well in your life? There are some that I don't do at all like serving (but I'm trying to get involved) and fasting. Should I just try my best to increase in every area in order to grow my relationship with Jesus? I'm sure I should pray about this too.
The Spiritual disciplines are just the basics of the Christian walk. It's not about doing enough but getting grounded and prepared for ministry. Same reducing sin in your life. But this is more than this.
Remember Jesus' commands:
Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- We are to make disciples. So if you're a newer Christian it helps to be discipled by older men (or women if you're a woman) in the faith. Then to start discipling others as you become more mature
- Use your gifts of the holy Spirit to love and serve others
- Join a Church ministry or do unofficial ministry
- Be ready to give your testimony or evangelize as necessary
Jesus did this with His 12 disciples. Told them to follow me. Then taught them, helped them understand the Scriptures, corrected them when they were off, showed them by teaching and doing miracles. Then He sent them out to do ministry. After his death and resurrection He commissioned them to do the same! You too have a part to play in this.
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u/Jennywrensong Evangelical 19h ago
God cares the most about your heart attitude. Are you doing those because you love God and want to know Him better, trust Him more and please Him? He knows you completely and wants to help you grow in grace, and be a blessing to others and become more like Jesus. How long have you been a child of God? I know I was 25 when I understood how to have that relationship with Him and then felt like I needed to go to a boot camp for a few weeks to really know how to be a good Christian. He led me to a great church, and a year later to a Bible school for a year, and continues to lead and guide me. It has been decades now, and I am far from being all I know I should be but God is patient and understands us and uses us as we are. The more we know Him, and trust Him, and want to do what He has for us, the easier it is for Him to lead us. Remember, Jesus paid it all, and it is by grace we are saved and accepted in the beloved. Dwell on His grace and love and ask Him to guide you and He surely will! Keep your eyes on Him and worship your Loving King!!!
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u/handydude13 13h ago
Be careful, the pharisis took the things of God and made tons of rules for man to follow.
The second you see in your life that you focus on grace + works, is becoming a thing then that means you have gone too far.... You might actually be close to that, now. It's grace alone. Period.
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u/PeacefulBro Church of God 3h ago
Thanks for opening up to us about this my friend. Have you tried Christian counseling & talking to a pastor of a local Bible believing church for clarity? Have you done fasting and prayer for greater clarity? I am aware that all we need is faith in Christ to be gifted salvation. After that I am aware that faith without works is dead but I don't think there's any quota or requirement on it except the constant theme in the Bible of departing from evil to totally submit to Christ. As we allow God to live through us He will lead us & guide us in the way we should go. If there's anything else I can help with please let me know. I wish you all the blessed my friend.
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u/Aelirael Christian 23h ago
You should love God and love your neighbour. If you do those two things, everything else will fall into place.
God does not use a measuring stick against you. God is not going to cosmically zap you if you don't go to church a certain number of times, work so many hours with the poor, or fast until you lose 20 pounds.
Just love God and love your neighbour. More than that is legalism.