We live in a world that embraces the superficial. Whatever is “new and next,” living for the here and now, and a quick, 15-minute, social media-driven click tends to drive what is most important to most people. The moral compass of what is right and wrong is ever-changing, and it seems that every time we turn on the television, something is wrong. Amid all this, we see joyous moments like when our kid scores a goal, our team makes it to the state playoffs, or we get a promotion at work.

Yet, is that all life has to offer? Why, when the joy of the promotion wears off, do we still feel anxious? As a follower of Jesus, what does pursuing Jesus have to do with any of this? Is it wrong to find excitement or success on this side of eternity?

As a pastor, I often get asked, “How do I know if I have a genuine relationship with Jesus?” Mostly, this comes from a sincere heart that desires to do well for His glory. At the same time, many Christ followers wonder what God truly thinks about them. Trust me, I’ve had these same thoughts. Feelings such as “Man, I messed up this week” or “Wow, that didn’t go as I had hoped” fill our minds. Then, we lay in bed at night, toss and turn, and have difficulty shutting down and finding true rest. Jesus invites us to come to Him and find much more.

So, how do we know if we are truly following Jesus? This is not an exhaustive list, but I believe at least five indicators reveal an authentic walk with Jesus.

Our pursuit of God. It is impossible to follow Jesus if we don’t know Him. Everything changes after surrendering to Jesus—from our motives, desires, and what we label essential. Is Jesus your daily pursuit? Daily time in His Word and communion with Him are necessary, regular rhythms for the believer. Every day we wake up, we should crave to be washed in the Word, wanting to know Jesus more, and leaning into His promises. If you claim to follow Jesus, then you should be able to comfortably answer these two questions: “What are you reading in God’s Word right now?” and “What is God teaching you in your time with Him?”

The relationships we develop. Everything runs on the rails of relationships. Jesus told His disciples that their love is the main way people will know they are His. Are you loving others well? Furthermore, who is influencing you, and who are you influencing? The people we are in community with indicate what or who matters the most to us. A Christ follower needs people encouraging them, holding them accountable, and growing alongside them. The idea that “My relationship with Jesus is private” is not biblical or helpful. When you read the book of Acts, you see the early Church on fire for Jesus and accomplishing much together (Acts 2:42-47). Is this what your life looks like?

How we deal with sin. There is a difference between the conviction of sin and feeling bad for doing wrong things. In my experience, a primary indicator of following Jesus is desiring the Holy Spirit to renew our minds and hearts—to prune us constantly. The key to this is Gospel transformation, not behavior modification. The switch is from “That is not that big of a deal” to “I broke God’s heart.” God hates sin; therefore, we should have no desire to “tolerate it.” We should not “manage sin;” we must kill and remove it. How we view and deal with sin speaks to the depth of our relationship with God.

Our perception of life and eternity. A faithful follower of Jesus has an eternal perspective on all things. When Jesus changes a heart and life, what we talk about, how we deal with situations, spend our money, deal with conflict, and live life all look different. We do not merely live for the here and now—this is short-sighted. We don’t go to work just to make money; we see it as a mission field. A Christ-following high football player is not merely on the team to break records, win state championships, and get a scholarship. He sees his platform as an avenue to tell people about Jesus. A key measure of our priorities is what we say yes to and what we say no to. What is on your “to-do” list today? What do you consider a victory? How do you view your finances? The here and now matters, but only in light of eternity.

Our prayers. The more we follow Jesus, the more we will be conformed to His will and ways. One of my favorite sounds is a genuine prayer of a faithful saint. In this, you hear struggles, victories, and relationship; you hear a longing to know God. A Christ follower rarely prays for something that will only benefit themselves. Consider this question: “What do my prayers reveal about my life and who or what I worship?” If your prayers and “Christmas list” sound the same, Jesus may not be who you follow. While praying about your walk with Jesus is appropriate, a Christ follower is more others-focused than self-focused.

John 15 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. It includes excellent words of wisdom from Jesus about abiding in Him. I believe this is the key to following Jesus—abiding, that is, “continuing without fading or being lost” (Webster’s Dictionary). This passage teaches us that if we are genuinely connected to the Vine, we will remain in Him, produce good fruit, do what He commands, and love well. This is what a watching world desperately needs to see.

Are you following Jesus?