The Critical Focal Point of Faith
“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?”- Luke 9: 23-25
Do you know who is saying this? It’s surprising how many confessing Christians have never heard this scripture. This was spoken by Jesus Christ, the one our entire faith rests upon. In the slew of social media platforms, blogs, podcasts, magazines, and literature, his name sometimes gets cut out. God has a much larger platform presence than Jesus Christ. Is that bad?
“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”- James 2:19
God is a name that has no singular definition. Islam acknowledges God, Judaism acknowledges God, Jehovah’s Witness acknowledges God, Mormonism acknowledges God, Catholicism acknowledges God, and Christianity acknowledges God.
What makes Christianity different? What is the critical point that keeps me from going to mass or wearing a hijab? What is the dividing factor?
“Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance a : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, b and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
In the pursuit of self-love, status goals, dream fulfillment, and politically corrected religion, where was this gospel lost? This gospel does not demand us for our talent, capacities, strengths, or personal achievement potential. This gospel demanded only one thing: The blood of Jesus Christ sacrificed as atonement for the salvation of all humans who believe. This is the critical focal point of our faith which has been overlooked and ignored over and over again. If you believe you are Christian because you believe in God and you think Jesus has some nice teachings, you are living in the light of a false gospel. Even more so, if you like Jesus only because you can make his teachings bend to your desires and you manipulate his words for the sake of you doing you best, you are living in a false gospel. The light you follow cannot rescue you from darkness because it is not radiating from the one who said;
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”- John 8:12
And who also said;
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.”-John 14:6-7
It is impossible to know God without having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In fact, it is impossible to be a true Christian without having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. But what does it mean to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?
Listen.
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”- John 5:24
A personal relationship with Jesus Christ starts with listening to him as he speaks into your life. For some of us, it’s as simple as hearing him say, “Follow me.” For some it’s listening to his teachings and realizing who he is through his parables. For some, it’s through personal encounters where Jesus stepped in and intervened in your life physically. Jesus wants to connect with you. He knows you. He sees you. He knows the name of that bad boyfriend, and the number of days that addiction’s held you, and the truth of your insecurities. He knows the life that is waiting for you in his way, and the healing of grace for the past that haunts your dreams.
DECLARE
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”- Romans 10:9-10
It’s important to share your faith. Repentance at the foot of the cross, and confession that you have decided on Jesus. Doesn’t have to be a prayer, or a set speech. It’s repentance and outloud declaration of belief.
PURSUIT
“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?”- Luke 9: 23-25
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”- Matthew 11:28-30
Salvation is a one step process. But, through salvation, Christ lives within you, and He will be redecorating your soul. The term is “Sanctification” and it is a really fancy word for “making more holy.” Jesus wants to make you more like Him. He wants you to reflect God, honor God, and be obedient to God. Your life now stands as a testimony to the power of Jesus Christ, and the amazing gift of salvation God has given us. Your desires will change, and your priorities will shift. Reading the scriptures above, these are commands. These are the actual commands of Jesus for how you are to live your life.
Deny yourself.
Go and tell.
Come to Him and rest.
Your fullest, most satisfying life is in the very arms of Jesus. So that whether rich, poor, famous, unknown, fit or flabby, well-fed or hungry, washed face or acne- you have a hope that is secure that Jesus will not let you go. Some have interpreted this to mean that we will have no sickness or hard times, but in actuality, Jesus calls us to embrace those things and to use those things to glorify him.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”- John 16:33
Take heart, Jesus is coming back. This hardship, this sickness, this pain is not eternal. It is part of a finite broken world. But, through your personal relationship with Jesus, he offers you his peace. I want to encourage you, whether you already have a personal relationship with Jesus or this is all a new idea to you- take some time to read through the book of John. Reacquaint yourself with (or be introduced to) Jesus Christ. Call a friend who knows him, and ask them about him.