It goes without saying that as Christians we want to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Because of what Christ has done for us on the Cross, we have an ardent desire to live in a Scripture-honouring, Christ-exalting and God-glorifying way that not only is a pleasure to God but also demonstrates our deep commitment to Him and reveals the work of the Spirit in our lives. It is what He truly deserves.

There are many questions that come and lay siege to our hearts in our pursuit of Christ. Life itself thrusts upon on us that most pertinent question of whether or not, in the face of conflict or difficulty we are going to trust God. And the answer, even if in the moment of trouble we turn aside, is always yes. Other questions tease, provoke and challenge us.

Life is full of questions. The most pertinent one that shapes our lives and transforms us internally and eternally is the one asked of the Jewish nation by Pilate, “What shall I do with Jesus, who is called, Christ?” (Matthew 27:22) Having successfully answered that question (and totally by the enabling of the Holy Spirit at work in our unregenerate, spiritually-dead heart) we are still left with the question that never goes away; the question that unsettles us, changes how we live our lives, stirs us, provokes us and calls us to a place of radical conviction and transformation: “Do I have your heart?”

Do I have your heart? – The question that never goes away.

The gauntlet cast at our feet is not done in an angry challenge and a preamble before the hostile action of an offended and malevolent supreme being. It is put there for our own good. When God reveals our heart to us it is so that we can see the distance that has come between us, always of our own doing, and to our own detriment. God is always looking for intimacy with us. It is one of the things that we were created for – and out of intimacy comes a heart of worship.

The big question

Peter faced the challenge of this question in the most severe way, being asked by Jesus, “Do you love me?” The question was loaded with intent. Not to nail Peter, or show him the error of his ways, or the inadequacy of his feeble attempts at following Christ – but to reveal his heart, and to invite him into a deeper place of communion with Himself.

It was a question concerning Peter’s love:

• He did not say, “Simon, son of Jonas, do you fear me?”

• He did not say, “Do you admire me, Do you adore me?”

• Nor was it ever a question concerning his faith. He did not say, Simon, son of Jonas, do you believe in me?”

But He asked him another question, “Do you love Me?”

• He did not say, Simon Peter, how much have you wept?”

• How often have you done penance on account of your great sin?

The question was a burning one for Peter. It possibly may have felt more like, “do you really, really – I mean, really love me, Peter?” That question has not gone away.

Hour by hour, as we live our borrowed lives in the frantic pace of life, it is fitting that we remind ourselves of the challenge laid down to the Church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:4) and ask ourselves the question, “Does Jesus have our heart – does He really, really have it?”

We are not alone with that question. Let’s not ask it of each other because we cannot always be sure that we do so with a right attitude or motive. We can be so superior, smug and prideful – without it even showing! Instead, let’s encourage each other to give ourselves wholeheartedly to loving Him, and in doing so we are following in Jesus footsteps. (Luke 10:27, Matthew 22:37, Deuteronomy 6:5)

Only you can say if Jesus really has your heart. But it will also be evident by what you say and do.

Tullian Tchividjian, grandson of Billy Graham, inspires me with some of his teachings, particularly when he makes the unequivocal statement that ‘Jesus+nothing=Everything’ something inside of me erupts with truth-affirming joy.

Apostles, Prophets and evangelists have to realise that as they set out their conferences and seminars, that those events are not a means to an end of establishing their ministry or making their name known, it is about Christ alone.

It doesn’t matter which name I cite, we are all in the same predicament, sharing the same common weaknesses that come in different subtle ways.

None of us are sinless, and all of us without exception are holy not because of what we have done, but because Christ alone has made us holy. Let me emphasise something to you that might bring the grace of the gospel to bear on your heart; if you get to heaven on holiness that you yourself have obtained, then you walk eternity demonstrating that you personally, of yourself, had the capacity to fulfill what God provided. You provided your own holiness. That itself, would have further dire consequences. We are to walk in holiness – but that walk is a walk in all that someone else has done for you and on your behalf. It is all about works, but not yours – Christ’s!

Someone I know recently had a vision in the night. They found themselves standing in a field without any trees, hedges, plants or shrubs – just grass. The field went into the distance as far as their eye could see, just one big field. Jesus stood next to him in the field, silent. Apparently, it didn’t matter what colour the grass was, it could have been bright pink with hues of blues – all that mattered was Jesus. There was nothing else in the vision, no signs, phenomena or angelic activity, there was no words either, just the person of Christ alone.

It is easy to reflect on such a vision and say, ‘is that it?’ but the staggering truth is that when you are gazing at Christ alone you have it all. Away from the bombardment of the senses by media, people, work, pain, triumph and time, things look different and eternity begins its passionate work to make those things look different by drawing us to the the full consequence of eternal salvation. Nothing has real meaning and value except in Christ.

Not all of today’s prophets, prophesiers and flake-jobs are getting that but some are, but it’s not the big names that are leading the way.

If you want some advice on how to see your prophetic ministry really take off here it is;

• turn people’s focus onto Jesus

• teach them to trust Christ alone for their salvation

• Urge them to look to Christ alone for their holiness and righteousness – then they will never struggle with acceptance, affirmation or whether they are loved.

It was because God so loved the world that He sent His Son, He did not send His Son to die for us and then He would love us. It is all about what Christ alone has done for us.

Prophets should focus on sharing the amazing truth of the gospel that points to Christ alone, not to revelations that they want to sell on mp3’s, videos and DVD’s to give them a salary because God isn’t providing for them! If God has really called, he’ll provide. (When Saul of Tarsus was Tent-making it wasn’t a service he was selling to the Church!)

Let’s get back to the message of ‘Christ alone’ – which incidentally is being preached with great passion and with God’s rich anointing in much of the Church, usually by preachers not the prophets. It will thrill the heart of the Church and bring a focus on the true gospel that will inspire, encourage, restore and draw the hearts of people to Christ.

It’s not about your revelations, fastings, activations, dreams and any other thing that you or your website talk about to validate your ministry – it’s about Christ alone, and to Him alone belongs all the glory.

Prophets particularly, do hear God, have revelation, and have the ability to speak into situations and circumstances in a way that is greatly helpful to the church, but foundational to every single thing they do, and at the heart of every authentic prophetic ministry is this great battle cry, challenge and urgent plea and whisper of the Spirit – Christ, and Christ alone!