As I listened to a sermon recently, the pastor said something that made me think twice about it. He said, "My biggest fear is that I'm going to direct you to get swept up in something other than Jesus." He went on to talk about how as Christians, we love God for what he's done for us (certainly true), but sometimes we just love the benefits of God.
When I think about God, the times I can worship Him the best, is when I'm reflecting on what he's done for me (the finished work of the Cross, Eternal life, hope, love...)However, what if I didn't have Jesus but just his work?
This sounds confusing to me. However, I think this is what it means. Through the substitution of Christ's death in my place, and his righteousness (or his right standing for God), also in my place, I can have eternal life. Through deeper belief in this gospel, I can experience God in more full ways.
I guess the thought I have is, does my identity totally reflect this righteousness? What if everything was stripped away that I had, my job, money, friends, loving family, loving church, what if all I had was literally faith in Jesus (having Him)?
Typically, I enjoy God when I need Him, not because I want Him. When things are going well for me (when my personal ministry sees great results, or life is just flourishing in general), I'm not functionally trusting Christ as my righteousness (though it is still my profession).
The verse that's key is Philippians 3:10, where Paul shows that he wants Christ and nothing else. He considers the glory of earth as dung (v.8).
I want to get to this place, but I know it takes a continual dying to self, and believing the gospel deeper.
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