December 2008 - January 2009

Brethren in Christ Core Value #4

Following Jesus

We value whole hearted obedience to Christ Jesus through the empowering
presence of the Holy Spirit

I remember as a child my expectations of following Jesus were that it would be costly! I would need to turn my back on all that was fun in life. I would have a hard life with many sacrifices involved. No wonder I struggled for years, counting the cost of receiving the “free” gift of salvation. But then I finally decided that, though it would be a great sacrifice to become a follower of Jesus, it would be worth it all to escape hell, and gain heaven at last. So I would just grit my teeth, bite the bullet, and follow Jesus. But, amazingly, I have discovered, as you likely have, that life in Christ is considerably different than expected. Jesus has given joy, even in sorrow; peace, even in the middle of turmoil; fulfillment, even in frustration, life with meaning and purpose, even in an aimless society. Now, I admit, it has not always been easy or fun. Yet, as I have observed life for more decades than I care to admit, it’s better following Jesus than following any one or any thing else. It really is, as the Bible says, the way of the transgressor (the unfaithful) that is hard! (Proverbs 13:15)

However, the cross is central to the Good News message. Paul wrote, “We preach Christ crucified.” (I Corinthians 1:23) “I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (I Corinthians 2:2) and “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 6:14) So we follow Jesus to the cross, confessing personal sin, and “Jesus is Lord”. Then the adventure of following Jesus in His new direction begins! But why do I still feel guilty, even though I’ve been forgiven?

I recall vividly, twenty-three years ago when I lost the tip of my finger in a table saw accident. Needless to say, it was painful, but the worst pain of all was that the end of the finger, the part that was no longer there, continued to hurt constantly through the day and even worse at night. I had heard of phantom limb pain, so after about three weeks I asked a surgeon how long I would experience pain in the part of the finger that was no longer there. “Well,” he said, “for leg amputations, it may be years, but for a finger, maybe three or four weeks.” Sure enough, after about a month, the phantom pain began to subside. Phantom limb pain provides an interesting insight into the phenomenon of false guilt, when in fact, the Christ follower is forgiven.

Then Jesus’ call is to obediently deny self and “...take up the cross and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) Billy Graham interprets this to be the same as saying, “Come and bring your electric chair with you.” It’s clear Jesus had in mind a place of execution. Plus, I’m to publicly bear the cross, my identity with Jesus, even when it is not to my immediate advantage, and I’m to do this daily for the long haul of life! It’s like we jump out of bed every morning and say, “Good Morning, Jesus. Would you please continue to put me to death today?” It sounds like a terrible loss, but it’s also a gain, for amazingly, there’s a bit of a paradox here. In the middle of our life in society no matter what or how much we gain, we live and die. There’s no altering that! But Jesus presents a new model; Christ died and lived! So now in Him, I also choose to die and live beyond my greatest expectations through the empowering presence of the spirit of the risen Christ!

Amazingly, in saying “no” to self perceptions and timing, I discover I am actually saying “yes” to God’s highest plan and best in life. One word of counsel, Don’t miss out on God’s best in life! Now I know it sounds crazy, but if you really want what’s best, you will want to say “No” to self, “Yes” to Jesus and his cross for you, and do it daily. The astounding result is He gives to you, to me, and to each follower of Jesus, the desires of our hearts!

So as the writer to the Hebrews challenges us, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12: 2-3)

Even when life, ministry, and relationships are challenging, we will follow Jesus because we are enabled by the empowering presence of His spirit! There’s nothing else like it! Nothing else even comes close!

With excitement in following Christ into the New Year,

Bishop John

 

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