How Do You Imagine Jesus? (Good Read!)

How Do You Imagine Jesus?Jack Radcliffe9/13/2010

A month or so ago, a popular author announced she was quitting Christianity. She was clear that it didn’t mean she was giving up on Jesus; just the shape, systems, and the ideology that we’ve come to know as Christianity. From her perspective, Christianity has become about being “anti,” and she was tired of it.

She’s not the only one who’s making this declaration. In fact, she’s a little late to the party. The mantra of those making an exodus (def: a journey by a large group to escape from a hostile environment) from organized Christianity is simple: I love Jesus but hate the Church. The Church, with its broad definition, claims to love Jesus too. Are we talking about the same Jesus?

One of the greatest temptations when it comes to God is to make him into our own image, or our impression of what we think he is. The Church, or organized religion, imagines an orderly Jesus who is concerned with organizational systems, policies, growth in numbers, reaching the lost, and providing quality programming. Keep the operation functioning at a high level for a long time.

Others cling to the Jesus that had no place to call home, who lost the few followers he had but gave new life to most everyone with whom he came in contact. This Jesus brings freedom rather than control. This Jesus is for rather than against.

Imagining or conceiving a God we’ve never encountered or seen is impossible. The accounts we do have from those who lived with Jesus are stories that, while vivid and powerful, are only snapshots. We are asked to attempt to follow a person we’ve only heard described by dead people in the writing they left behind and modern day preachers trying to make sense of it all themselves. We’re all trying to imagine Jesus.

Len Sweet and Frank Viola in Jesus Manifesto say that these Scriptures describe for us a Jesus few of us have ever imagined. Paul in Colossians paints a picture of a savior who replaced the very best religion had to offer with himself (Colossians 2:6-23). Sweet and Viola ask us to answer the question, What would happen if the Church would embrace Jesus and “become absorbed with Him? Their answer: it would be fruitful.

There’s a belief that life is more about the journey than the destination. If this is true, then maybe getting to know Jesus is more important than establishing him. It’s likely the author that quit Christianity really quit religion. Maybe what she really needs is to immerse herself in an ongoing discovery of the living God that results in her life overflowing with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Imagine a life like that.

The reason I am posting this, is because I too have experienced these "holier than thou" Christians who claim to be "of Jesus", they attend church regularly --- and yet they hold grudges, hatred, they judge others, and they hurt & insult people unnecessarily. While I know that no one is perfect - least of all ME, I can tell you that these people PLAYED A HUGE PART in keeping me from religion for a long time. I did not want to be one of those people who preached one thing - and did another. In my newfound Christianity - I try hard NOT judge ANYONE. I am soley trying to better myself...and rather than berate people who are not following Christ, I pray that Jesus will open their eyes like he did for me. I have FORGIVEN the people that hurt me and I pray for them. Do I make mistakes? Sure I do. I cursed for 46 years of my life and every once in awhile - in a stressful moment - it will slip out - and I immediately ask Jesus for forgiveness and help with my lack of patience. But I have stopped beating myself up about it. I am work in progress - just as EVERYONE else is. No one is perfect - IT SAYS THE IN THE BIBLE. We can only STRIVE to live by God's plan. Which is what I intend to do.

Just the other day - a confused and bewildered Carl asked me about a Bible verse: Matthew 7:22 22 - On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

Carl said, "So even though you do the right thing - and you're a Christian - on Judgement day - Jesus might tell you that he don't know you?"

I can only explain to him with my understanding of that verse. (I still told him to talk to the Pastor about it - because I may be wrong)

My understanding of this verse is that; There are many people who go to church every Sunday, they pray, sing the hymns, read the Bible and they worship the Lord...on Sunday...at the church. But when they leave the church - they leave their Christianity behind - IN THE CHURCH. Monday through Saturday they do not apply God's word to their lives...at all. They don't pray, they don't worship, they hold grudges and hatred in their hearts, they are judgemental of others, and they certainly don't have the time to read the scriptures!!! It is my belief that it is these people that Jesus is reffering to in that passage. Because while they go to church EVERY SUNDAY, and they do call themselves Christians (and truly believe that they are) --- however they do not apply his word to their lives Monday through Saturday, they do not have Jesus in their heart. I know about these people all too well...I was ONE of them!!! I believe these people need our prayers - not our critisizm.

Just something to think about and thoughts I wanted to share with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

God Bless You All!!!

Lori Ann