I used to live through the lens of a legalistic Christian.

When I came to the end of myself, I realised that a life built on legalism doesn’t save.

Not everyone who says, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21).

I thought the Christian life was about strict obedience to rules and regulations, and performing works to earn my salvation.

As long as I didn’t commit the “big sins” and I served in church, I believed I was saved.

I believed anyone living differently was on their way to hell.

I lived like this for most of what I called my “Christian walk,” while I was living in sin.

The deeper I fell, the louder I became, even though Jesus warns that many will say to Him, “Lord, Lord,” and still not be known by Him (Matthew 7:22–23).

When I reached the end of myself, God shook me and revealed that my life was built on something false.

I saw that I had the appearance of knowing Him, but my heart was far from Him (Matthew 15:8).

A Christian isn’t someone who only speaks the right words.

A Christian loves Jesus and calls Him Lord from a surrendered life.

If anyone would come after Him, they must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him (Luke 9:23).

It's someone who turns from sin, confesses openly, and desires to live in a way that honours God.

Trusting that if we confess our sins, He’s faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us (1 John 1:9).

It’s someone who loves others and walks in humility, loving their neighbour as themselves (Matthew 22:39), knowing that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

Living as a Christian is the posture of your heart before God.

I wasn’t living a life that pleased Him. Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

When God revealed that I was a hypocrite, I had to repent and start believing in the gospel (Mark 1:15).

That's where my relationship with Him began again.