Thankful Thoughts List – #4 Our message

I am thankful that …

4. our message is Christ, not just Christianity.

 

“If we preach the effects of Redemption in human life instead of the revelation regarding Jesus, the result in those who listen is not new birth, but refined spiritual culture.”  Nov 9, My Utmost

 

This made me stop and think.

(Which is what happens most of the time when I read Oswald Chambers.)

 

If we present the side effects (i.e. benefits) of being a Christian as being our main message, we miss the point. None of these things is the point:

belonging to a community of caring people,

the empowering presence of the Spirit,

the transformation of our heart desires that removes destructive habits,

the reconciliation and restoration of relationships,

the unexplainable desire to “love your neighbor as yourself,”

the certainty of Heaven after death,

the access to the Throne of God,

the comfort of “casting all our cares” on Him, 

the peace of experiencing His sovereign rule over all things.

 

Making those things THE POINT results in a “refined spiritual culture.” Now that is a pleasant environment for life, indeed. But, a Christian culture is not our primary message. A manmade, humanly concocted system that imposes a façade of spiritual life is a poor substitute for the real deal.

 

Christ is our message, not just Christianity.

 

New birth comes from knowing Christ Jesus, not from knowing how to keep the rules of Christianity.

 

Hope comes from resting in the finished redemptive work the Jesus accomplished, rather than working to be a “good Christian.”

 

Joy comes from loving God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength – and living fully as the person He created me to be, not from living to be loved if/when/because I fit the mold of Christian culture.

 

 

The message of “the effects of Redemption in human life” is man centered.

The message of “the revelation regarding Jesus” is God centered.

 

I am so thankful that the heart of the Biblical message is knowing Christ Jesus. What freedom! What hope! What confidence and security!

 

I’m prompted to ask: Are we Christians trying to clone ourselves and preserve our version of culture or are we intent on knowing and exalting Christ?

 

Thankfully, we have more purpose for life than just preserving a religious system.

Thankfully, we have been given “the revelation regarding Jesus” and have been drawn into a personal relationship with Him.

Thankfully, we have the purpose of being messengers of reconciliation, representatives of Creator God who accomplishes all that He promises.