LIVE RIGHT in the eyes of God, Christians.

Assistant curate at St Leonard's Anglican Church, Ryan Boyce, gave the admonition yesterday in a sermon at the church, in which he chastised those who only paid lip service to their God-given duty.

"Some say they are 'born again' Christians but some are worse off with that second birth. You need not be born again but to make right with God at the first shot," he said.

Boyce said the true Christian life was not confined to church walls, as members of the faith were expected to go out and minister to others. He also reminded the congregation it was not how long they lived that made a difference to God.

"There are those who live long lives but make others miserable. It is not how long but how well you live that is important to our Father in heaven," he said.

In closing, the curate warned the congregation not to "short-change" God as they could not then expect a reward come Judgement Day.

"This life is too uncertain; there is no warning for when the Boss shows up so be mindful of Jesus' words and be prepared to 'sign off' on your Christian duties.

"Let us be like Jesus so when we come before God on Judgement Day we can say: 'My God, it is accomplished,'" he said. (CA)