Several days ago I began reading a new book, ReJesus by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch. After the fairly long but informative introduction, I find myself still in Chapter One. It has already got me thinking of the need for a series on Jesus…just Jesus…and focusing on just Him. I have sometimes wondered if we have spent a lot of time talking about what Jesus has taught and less time on Jesus Himself. The first chapter is entitled How Jesus Changes Everything. They begin with a quote by C.S.Lewis:
In the same way the Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became man for no other purpose. It is doubtful, you know, whether the whole universe was created for any other purpose. It says in the Bible that the whole universe was made for Christ and that everything is to be gathered together in Him.
I grew up in the church. My mother started taking me to church whenever the doctor cleared her to do so which, knowing my mom, was the next day. But even though I grew up going to church I think there was still this “something inside me” that felt like I needed to impress God. It wasn’t until much later than I realized that God wasn’t impressed with how much I tried to impress Him. But I also know that when I came to realize that, I was not excused from the call to good works and godly living. In fact, if I understood James correctly the whole enchilada got stepped up a notch. I am to live out my faith with a passion that reflects the passion of Jesus.
The book ReJesus tells of Scott Peck relating the story of Jesus healing Jairus’ daughter in Luke 8 to a group of pastors, therapists, nurses, doctors-healers of all kinds. He then quizzed these healers about who in that story they most identified with. Out of 600 healers only 6 said they identified with Jesus. Peck’s point was that something is seriously wrong with a Christianity where only one out of a hundred Christians can identify with Jesus. The he says this: “We’re supposed to identify with Jesus, act like Jesus, be like Jesus. That is what Christianity is supposed to be about: the imitation of Christ.”
Have to admit that got me thinking. How much do I imitate Jesus in my daily walk? My actions at home, at work, at the Y, when I ride my bike and drivers get close or make certain gestures, when the church is gathered, when I just “hang” with friends, the way I treat my wife…do I imitate Jesus?
And how about you? Do you find yourself imitating Jesus as you should?
Yes…I hang out with my “country club click”, gossip with the best of em, I dress the part and smile a lot.
I’m kidding, of course, but I’m consistently amazed at how some will interpret how being Christ-like is supposed to be.
I had this conversation with a few people from our church the other day. They are convinced that being a Christian is all about showing up on Sunday and getting involved in as many groups as possible.
I was simply stunned when I asked, “don’t ya think it has anything to do with reaching to the lowest sinner, giving to the poor, helping a brother out?” Their answer was NO, that’s not nearly as important as setting a positive “look” for others to follow.
To answer your question, I try. I fail often, but I try. I thank God that I am driven instead of depressed by the actions of others and hope that by “trying” it will rub off on others.
Great point Toby! I think many take one of two views: either get so involved in the “church club thing” and have no influence or get too involved (too “relevant”) that they have no influence. I prefer your method. Thanks for stopping by.
I have never been involved with any kind of church at all. Reading the Gospels, it seems clear to me that we are supposed to try and be like Jesus.
I had the Imitation of Christ kicking around my room for years and finally threw it out without reading it. Is it good?
Hey Ivan: thanks for coming by. Funny (not haha), you say you have never been involved with any kind of church and yet you GET it! The whole point of being a Christ-follower is to try to be like Jesus. No better place to find that than in the Gospels. keep reading.
confession? Never have read Thomas a Kempis’ book. Others have and “swear” by it. The old time writing tends to turn me off. Sorry I can’t help you. Anyone else who can answer?
I barely see the church as a religious entity. Perhaps many non-religious people are similar: the church is just another quasi-political body — that’s any church, no particular denomination or religion.
There’ll always be people ready to read and think about the Gospels, though (and I mean specifically the Gospels; having said that, hanging out here and at Candid Chatter has made me eager to read the OT too; I’m still undecided about what I think about the letters).
I am the opposite to you about old time writing — I can’t abide this modern stuff.
Thanks for saying I get it. I’m not there yet but, like you said here somewhere, the journey is important.
Ivan: Man, I like your heart! I agree with you about the church. Way too many are nothing more than quasi-political bodies. I abhor that concept but it is true. Many pastors in America are nothing more than political spokesman for whatever agenda they want to push. Keep reading the Gospels. No better place to hear about Jesus than there. However, if you want an intro to the OT…check out Hebrews. Some heavy stuff but it will give you a good crash course into the “mind” of the OT. As for the letters: Paul is worth reading. Stay on that journey my friend.
Bill, when in church, we’re learning about Jesus and the Word of God and we’re organizing to share Jesus in the rest of the world. I find my growing IN Jesus comes in the real world. When I deal with losses, like my son, and how I respond to that loss. People are watching. When I respond to grumpy people, do I become grumpy too, or have mercy on them because they may be dealing with a loss? Imitating Jesus is letting Him live out His life in me. And all too often I fail to do any dying to myself to allow that to happen.
I see church as a gathering of imperfect folks trying to learn how to be better folks. Some of us pass tests, some of us flunk a few. But we keep coming back to study the process and get the directions. It’s a good thing. selahV
Ivan, just want you to know I’m praying for you and your journey. It’s going to be so exciting. selahV
p.s. my spam-filter words are “his Change”. so cool.
Bill…thanks for a great post and great comment stream going.
Sorry don’t have much to add today. But, just wanted you, Toby, and Ivan that all of you are in my prayers today! Thanks for letting me be a small part of your life’s journey! What a ride it is!
selahv: thanks for your comments. I too believe that gathering is for study and learning and building up. Real ministry takes place outside the walls. But when we get together we are to bind up and heal the wounds from the “failures” and encourage the “passers.”
I hope Ivan saw your note.
Thanks Steve. Like you I visit sites every day and sometimes just have nothing to say that is different or new to add. But I appreciate your visit and keeping the whole bunch of us in your prayers. Glad you are a part of the journey.
I got the message.
@SelahV Thank you for your prayers. I’m learning a lot out here.
Hi Bill! Thanks for visiting A Worshipful Heart today!
I’d have to say that I struggle most to act like Jesus when I am trying to be gracious to someone who has hurt me. His response to those who hurt him amazes me.
Thanks for acknowledging that Ivan.
Jan: thanks for coming by and making a comment. I can empathize with your thoughts. With Palm Sunday and Resurrection Day coming up I seem to have a heightened awareness of Jesus’ response to those who hurt Him. Like you, wish I could be the same.
Personally, I think the vast majority of churches have stopped actively preaching from the bible, because most people really don’t want to be convicted by the Word of God for their actions. They want to feel good about themselves, and thus the rise of tolerance, the decline of absolute truth (clear right and wrong), and the rise of the “power within” theology (“Your Best Life Now” and “Become a Better You” by Joel Osteen). It’s become a show, rather than instruction. It’s becaome more about the speaker, than The Message (when the church website, like this one directs you to the individual websites for the leaders, I think that’s a problem). In his sermon a few weeks ago, Chuck Swindoll talked about this very subject (post-modern Christianity today), saying “Jesus was the most intolerant person alive… It’s why he was put to death by the Pharisees.” Bible Literacy is at an all-time low. There have been many studies of Bible Knowledge, including a study of entering freshment at Wheaton College, an Evenagelical School, with shocking results. Jay Leno from the “Tonight Show” has even had man-on-the-street segments with some funny, yet very sad, responses, show how little we Americans REALLY know about the bible (Can’t name one discple but can name all 4 Beatles members; “In the Bible, who was swallowed by a big fish?” “Oh, I know this one! Pinnochio!”)
My point? You have to KNOW the Bible in order to live it. You have to have been TAUGHT what Jesus did and why, so that you can truly imitate Him.
But last night, in my bible study “Promised Land“, by Ray Vander Laan, it was talking about our role as ambassadors – representatives of Christ in today’s culture – and it covered John 14:5-13, with the key verse for your post being verse 12. Even Paul instructed people to follow his example as an imitator of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Ivan, the Gospels are FULL of references to the OT – look at the footnotes in the New American Standard Bible version here to get a small glimpse of the relevance of the OT on the NT. Every word of scripture is relevant.
Will: I will agree with you about the illiteracy of many when it comes to the Bible. As you stated there are various reasons. I do like Chuck’s quote. I do look for Ivan to read the Scriptures, especially the OT some day. Until then…I love seeing him reading the Gospels.
Absolutely – it’s a great place to start his journey of a thousand miles (or pages, in this case). 😉
I have to “Ditto” what Will said about Knowing the Bible. Sometimes when I am facing a situation I stop and repeat the well known
“What Would Jesus Do?” Well If I don’t study the Word and really get to know Jesus I will only be guessing what I think He would do. So knowing the Word is a Priority for me.
Breezy: you have stated why it is so important to read the Word. In its pages are the stories of how to find life. Only way to know what Jesus would do is to know what He would do.