"Read Your Bible and Pray!"

I had the privilege of growing up in an excellent Christian home. We were the kind of family that was in the church building “whenever the doors are open.” I remember reading the Bible (KJV) from a very early age. And how about “Bible Drills”? and “Bible Clubs”? In that context, whenever the subject of spiritual growth (spiritual formation/transformation) came up the advice was clear and simple: Read your Bible and pray!

It seemed too simple somehow. And yet, so true. The regular, consistent practice of communicating with God through Bible reading and prayer is, in fact, the key element in our spiritual development. But we can make it too simple by reducing it to a set pattern or practice. It’s possible to read the Bible without ever engaging your mind. It’s possible to pray without ever involving your heart. So why is reading your Bible and praying so significant to your transformation, and what does it really mean in our real lives?

In 2004, Willow Creek Community Church did an extensive study of the “catalysts” of spiritual growth, asking the question, “What are the consistent elements and practices that drive the process of spiritual transformation for Christ followers?” They discovered several key ideas: (1) the most consistent driving force in a believer’s spiritual development is “Reflection on Scripture,” when respondents answered “frequent” or “daily” to the statement, “I reflect on the meaning of Scripture in my life”; and (2) the second most important spiritual catalyst comes from a “frequent” or “daily” agreement with the statement, “I pray to seek guidance for my life.” Read your Bible and pray! Easy, right?

So how is that working for us? And if we are consistently communicating with God by reflecting on Scripture and praying to seek guidance, why aren’t we more transformed? Anyone who has ever had a serious relationship with someone can testify to how important, tricky, and scary communication can be. The “typical” communication barriers between men and women have become well known. Communication challenges also exist between young and old, rich and poor, very educated and very uneducated, between various ethnic/cultural communities, etc., etc. Learning how to effectively communicate with another person is the most important key to a growing, healthy, happy relationship with them. But good communication is hard work and requires diligence, commitment and patience. All too many don’t take the time to develop good communication skills. Others who have experienced failed relationships are afraid to try again. However, anyone can master communication skills and grow in interpersonal relationships.

So what does that have to do with reading your Bible and praying? These two spiritual practices are a way of saying, “Grow in your ability to communicate with God.” And remember: Good communication requires commitment and persistence. And good communication goes both ways. If, as some have taught, 93% of all communication is non-verbal, developing good communication skills requires much more than the ability to understand words, both for human relationships and our relationship with our Father-Creator.

Prayer is not just a matter of words; prayer is not just mind-to-mind communication. Prayer is a matter of the heart. Remember what Jesus taught about prayer in his famous sermon: “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 5:5-8). Prayer is not public religiosity; prayer is about your personal relationship with God. Prayer is not about using the right words often enough; prayer is about your heart connection with the Father.  Prayer is not a way to manipulate God; prayer is intimacy with God.

Granted, Jesus did refer to the words involved in prayer (see Matthew 6:9-13). But even those words reflect the deep longing in the heart of a Christ-follower, communicating personal needs to a personal God. The words of prayer flow from the heart of the pray-er to the heart of God. Those words also reflect God’s heart-desire to commune with his children, to listen to their requests, and to bring encouragement and strength.

I believe God is speaking to us all the time – in our hearts, in the world around us, in Scripture. The simple fact is this: we have a hearing problem. We are seldom listening to God. Even when we listen we tend to do so through the grid of our self-centeredness. The first and most important communication skill is learning how to listen. “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9). Having a regular, consistent practice of prayer and Bible reading is an excellent foundation for your relationship with the Father. To build on that foundation, take some time this week to listen. Read a short passage of Scripture slowly, prayerfully, listening to what God wants to say to you in that passage. Find some extra time to pray and focus on praising, then listening. And see if you heart is not strengthened and the spiritual development of your soul encouraged. It's just that simple – read your Bible and pray!

Seeing the Face of Jesus in “the Least of These”

When I first came to Christ in the “Jesus Movement,” following Jesus as the Way on the Way meant dropping out, having long hair and wearing sandals (“Jesus boots”). While that may be an extreme example, it’s not uncommon for people to have a fairly superficial version of what “the Jesus Way” looks like. What does it look like for you? Is it wearing (or not wearing) certain kinds of clothes? Is it avoiding (or listening to/watching) certain kinds of music? Movies? TV shows? Is it the nature of your vocabulary? Your political party affiliation?

First of all, let me make be clear in pointing out that “the Jesus Way” is a supernatural way of life. It cannot simply be imitated or scheduled. It has to be informed by Scripture and empowered by God’s Spirit.

That becomes increasingly clear as well consider the life, ministry and teaching of Jesus. Jesus had a unique perspective that resulted in a unique response to people and circumstances. One of the clearest examples is found in “the Parable of the Sheep and Goats” (Matthew 25:31-46). In this story Jesus contrasts the values and life-decisions of his “sheep” who have chosen to follow him and the goats who have chosen to go their own way and do their own thing. There are so many amazing things about this story so let me point out just a couple of them: first of all, Jesus provides a consistent list of behaviors that pertain to both groups – giving food to the hungry and drink to the thirsty, inviting the stranger (alien, foreigner) in, providing clothes to those who need them, looking after the sick, and visiting those in prison. (People were imprisoned for a variety of questionable reasons in those days and no attempt was made by the prison system to care for the incarcerated.) In every case, these behaviors are aimed at those who do not have the power to care for their own needs; they are the relatively powerless in society. It is assumed that the “sheep” have sufficient resources themselves and that they are sensitive to those who are under-resourced. Those who are following Jesus in “the Way” have learned to see “the least of these” the way Jesus sees them, and share his response to them, finding meaningful ways to empower the powerless.

But the perspective (and response) of Jesus goes even further: Jesus begins his list of Kingdom responses and behaviors by saying, “I was hungry . . . I was thirsty . . . I was a stranger . . . I needed clothes . . . I was sick . . . I was in prison.” Both the sheep and the goats failed to understand this claim of Jesus. “When did you see you hungry . . . or thirsty . . . a stranger . . . needing clothes . . . sick or in prison?” The reply of Jesus to this question is the central point of the parable: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me.” We know it is the primary point because Jesus begins it with, “Truly I tell you” (literally Amen, I say to you). Jesus fully identifies himself with his brothers and sisters, with those the Father has created. Remember Paul’s statement that Jesus is “the firstborn over all creation,” that all things have been created “through him and for him” (Colossians 1:15-17). Every human being is a unique creation of God, designed with eternal significance; every person, not just Christ followers, has a unique relationship to Jesus. He sees everyone as a member of his (created) family. In fact, Jesus has such a profound and complete solidarity with every person, he sees himself in them – and he invites his followers to see his face in every person. Only then is it possible to respond to every person in the same way Jesus responded to them.

Furthermore, scripture confirms the fact that Jesus has a special relationship with “the least [smallest, most insignificant] of these.” Perhaps it’s because they are the relatively powerless in the world, those who cannot fully care for themselves, those who are often ignored (or exploited and oppressed) by the powerful of the world. As a Good Shepherd, Jesus is passionately committed to care for those who will not be cared for otherwise – and he anticipates that those on the Way with him will do the same.

Some of the saints in church history have been given a special gift of seeing the face of Jesus in “the least of these.” Mother Teresa of Calcutta testified that she saw the face of Jesus in the face of each sick and dying person she helped. In the 1950s she founded the Missionaries of Charity, committed to caring for “the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, and all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to society and are shunned by everyone.” She understood the passionate commitment of Jesus to the vulnerable and rejected and she was given the grace to see the face of Jesus in their faces.

Do we have anyone like that in LaGrange and Troup County? Do you have anyone like that in your neighborhood? Your family? Your home? If so, do you see the face of Jesus in their face, or are they just an irritant, an inconvenience? The challenge of walking with Jesus on the Way surely includes the challenging of seeing every person the way Jesus sees them and responding to them as if they were his brothers or sisters, those dear to his heart – because in fact, they are just that!

SIN: An Equal Opportunity Employer

In 1988 the famous psychiatrist Dr. Karl Menninger published “Whatever Became of Sin?” As one of the “fathers” of modern psychiatry Dr. Menninger made the case that the biblical idea of “sin” still provided important explanations for what ails us humans. However, we still hesitate to talk much about “sin,” less we be accused of being “judgmental” or “legalistic.” If “sin” is the moral virus infecting the human race, and indeed all of creation, understanding it is very important. It has been said that an accurate diagnosis is 90% of the cure, so if we want the cure to sin we need to accurately understand what sin is.

Fortunately the Bible is filled with teaching about sin. In fact, there are several related words translated with our English word “sin.” The most common word for “sin” (Greek hamartia) simply means “to miss the mark,” to miss the goal of God’s glory being reflected in humanity and in creation (see Romans 3:23). Another word for “sin” (Greek parabasis) describes us crossing a border or violating a boundary, and is also translated “transgression” (see Romans 5:14). “Disobedience” (Greek parakoe) is another “sin” word, and refers to us “hearing alongside of,” placing ourselves in a position to judge whether or not we want to obey a command; it is selective hearing (see Romans 5:19). The old word “trespass” (Greek paraptoma) means to lapse or deviate from the truth (see Romans 5:20). The biggest word for sin (Greek anomia) is sometimes translated “iniquity” and refers to our sinful, lawless nature (see 1 John 3:4). Paul taught that whatever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23). James wrote that knowing to do good and not doing it is sin (James 4:17). John added that all wrongdoing is sin (1 John 5:17).

The first place where the word “sin” is found in the Bible is in the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4). These two brothers had a very different attitude toward God as seen in their approach to worship. When he came before the Lord Abel brought “fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.” He offered his very best to God as worship. On the other hand, Cain “brought some of the fruits of the soil” as an offering before the Lord, showing a casual attitude toward his worship of God. When God looked with favor on Abel and his offering, rather than learning and repenting, Cain got ticked off and bitter toward Abel. That’s when God brought up the subject of sin: “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:7). If Cain responded with repentance toward God and love toward his brother, he would be “accepted” (literally “forgiven”). However, Cain needed to have no illusions about the fact that “sin” was waiting like a wild animal at the entrance to his life, ready to pounce and take advantage of any opportunity to dominate and rule his life. It was possible for Cain to “rule over” sin, to gain the mastery over sin, but he wouldn’t be able to do so without a right response to God and others. That first story of sin is still the present story of sin.

When you look at all these facets of “sin” it’s easy to see that the essence of sin is self-centeredness, any attempt to live life independently of God. Evidences of sin in our lives include all of the classical hyphenated self-issues: self-indulgence, self-gratification, self-fulfillment, etc., etc. Our parents in the Garden chose to believe The Lie that a life under the authority of the Father-Creator was a limited life, that full human potential could only be realized independently of God. Seeing all of life with ourselves rather than God at the center is now instinctive for us; it’s part of our moral DNA.

Yes, sin is our universal, equal opportunity employer. And our boss pays everyone the same wage. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Think about it! The definition is “death” is “separation from God,” so if the essence of sin is living autonomously, independently, separately from God, then it only makes sense that the consistent result is death. That’s why sin is the virus that is killing us, that has twisted and perverted the human person and all of creation along with us.

Various sinful behaviors are really only symptoms of the core of self-centeredness: dishonesty, fear, anger, stealing, hatred, murder, sexual exploitation, greed, etc. – none of these things would exist if we lived under the authority of God, if God was truly at the center of every part of our lives, if the love of God ruled our hearts and lives.

But here’s the good news: “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). The ultimate cure for the sin disease was provided by God in Jesus, beginning with the provision of forgiveness and cleansing provided by the death of Christ on the cross. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). But that’s not the end of the story – through his resurrection and ascension into heaven, through the power of God’s Word energized by the presence and work of the Holy Spirit – God has provided transformation from the inside out. We are being changed, from glory to glory, into the image and nature of Christ. In the end, sin will be defeated, the curse reversed, and all things made new and whole again. “No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads” (Revelation 22:3-4). That beautiful vision, that hope, defines the road we are now on, overcomers on the Way.

NOTE: I want to acknowledge my friend, Ken Malmin, who still faithfully teaches about sin in his Basic Doctrine class at Portland Bible College. 

We Are Family

Who thought up the whole idea of “family,” anyway? Oh, wait. It was God. It was God who insisted that humanity must be made up of “male and female” (Genesis 1:27). God thought Adam was insufficient, that he needed a suitable counterpart (Genesis 2:18). The result was – Woman! And Adam seemed very pleased with the result and broke out in song: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). Just a guy and a girl hanging out in the Garden was not enough for God – he had to insist on a long-term covenant relationship between them, inventing the institution of marriage. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). And what about kids? “Be fruitful and increase in number” (Genesis 1:28), and the family was born.

We can all agree that the family was God’s idea. Marriage is God’s idea. Kids are God’s idea. Families providing a healthy environment for little people to grow into happy, fruitful adults were God’s idea. But here are the facts: In LaGrange, Georgia 32.3% of the kids are growing up in a family with a father and a mother. Another 28.6% are growing up in single parent families. In addition, 47.3% of the grandparents living in LaGrange are raising one or more of their grandchildren. The condition of our families in LaGrange is both a reflection of and a contributor to the financial health of families: 21.6% of our families are living below the poverty level; 42.7% of our single parent families live below the poverty level. All too often these facts reflect a high level of stress and instability. Somehow the family recipe has become increasingly unhealthy.

The fact is, families look different in different cultures. It has only been in recent times in Western cultures that a “family” has been defined as a mom, a dad, and the children the two of them brought into the world together (2.2 kids on average). Other cultures do not limit the idea of “family” to this “nuclear” model but think more in terms of an “extended family” – parents and kids, grandparents, uncles and aunts, cousins, etc. In fact, most cultures define a family in terms of a “kinship network,” i.e., a community people in relationship who are specifically committed to the upbringing of healthy, happy children. I found that out when I spent some time in Jamaica and Uganda. After getting to know some of the families there the kids began to call me “Uncle.” Clearly I was not their Uncle, but it defined a certain role for me in the context of their “family.” As a college instructor I had mentoring relationships with quite a few Asian students; in that context I experienced being carefully held at a distance until they were convinced I would do well functioning as a member of their “family,” then I was really “in” (sometimes more “in” than I wanted to be).

In the book of Acts we see salvation coming to whole households: the entire family of Cornelius responded to the Gospel and were baptized (Acts 10:2; 11:4). In Philippi, Lydia’s household embraced the Gospel together (Acts 16:15). When Paul proclaimed the Gospel to the Philippian jailer, his entire family believed (Acts 16:31-34). “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household” (Acts 16:31). After preaching the Gospel in Corinth, the whole family of the synagogue ruler came to faith in Christ (Acts 18:8). In fact, Paul refers to the local church is referred to as a family: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10; see also Ephesians 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:10; 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 2:17; 4:17; 5:9). The local church is, in the end, a family of families. In that sense, we all share responsibility for the health of our various family units.

Here’s a simple proposal: Let’s begin by finding out what children need to grow into healthy, happy adults. Let’s commit ourselves to doing whatever is needed to make sure kids get those things – no matter what member of the “family” provides them. Then let’s agree on the insights and instructions given to us in Scripture for the developmental needs of kids and effective ways of meeting those needs. In the end, the old African proverb is true: “It takes a village to raise a child.” It’s unrealistic (and unfair) to expect all our single parent homes to provide everything every child needs to grow into a healthy, happy adult. We need “Uncles” and “Aunties” in the community ready to step up and meet some of those needs. We need “Mentors,” adults committed to kids and to meeting the needs of kids, committed to the effective development of fruitful and fulfilled adults. We need new role models in our “village.” We need marriage mentors and parenting mentors to help our new, young families who maybe did not grow with models in their lives. And what better place to see that happen than in God’s Kingdom Community – the Church of Jesus Christ.

Are you ready to accept the challenge? Then begin by asking God to put a new love for kids in your heart. Then determine to find out what the Bible says about growing Kingdom Kids God’s way. Let’s begin now to examine God’s Word in the Devotional and Discussion below with a commitment to applying Scripture to our circumstance and season of life, confident that God will show us the way and make us a blessing. 

Final Destination

Have you ever wondered what the purpose of it all is? Who are we? Why are we here? Where are we going? What is the point of our lives? Some people put all their hope in this world. For them, “the one who wins with the most toys wins.” Maybe the point of it all is the accumulation of wealth and power, the ability to control the details of our lives, and the lives of others. (Some just hope to survive, one day at a time.) On the other hand, some put their hope in another world, another life. They picture an alternate reality or an afterlife in a variety of ways. Maybe the life to come is filled with fruit, or beaches, or virgins. Maybe we’ll have beautiful mansions located in cities with streets of gold. Or maybe God will simply restore this planet and the rest of the universe to its original state and intent and fill it with immortal humans.

How do you see your final destination? If you “put all your eggs” in an otherworldly basket, you may not pay very much attention to the day-to-day issues and struggles, the need to represent God’s Rule in the messiness of this life. If you put your hope in this life, you may fail to see the big picture, to learn the wisdom that comes only with the fear of the Lord. Seeing your final destination defines the road you see yourself on – the Way you are traveling – and gives you a sense of purpose and direction on your journey.

So what is the point? What is the reason for our lives? St. Augustine confessed, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” Much later Blaise Pascal wrote, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.” The old Westminster Shorter Catechism began with the statement, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” All these classic statements attempt to answer the big questions.

The apostle Paul also proposed an answer: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Romans 8:28-29). This is one of those passages in the Bible that we know so well we seldom take the time to reflect on the details. God causes everything to work together in harmony toward on goal; God has one clear purpose for all those who love him and been called out by him. God knew in advance what that purpose was; God set out a clear path and a clear destiny for his chosen ones. That purpose, that path, that destiny, was simply this – that they be formed into the image of God’s Son; that God’s people reflect the character and the likeness of Christ.

In other words, God leverages every aspect of our lives to make us more like Jesus. Everything works together toward that goal.

That maybe doesn’t seem like a very glorious purpose until you think about the nature and glory of the one we are becoming like. In another place Paul taught that Jesus sums up all of creation (Ephesians 1:10). Jesus is the firstborn “over all creation.” In fact, all things have been made by Jesus and for Jesus. It is the power and glory and authority of Christ that holds everything in creation together (see Colossians 1:15-17). The glory of God is fully revealed in Jesus. Everything else is a distraction; all else is darkness compared to the light of Christ.

There can be no greater honor, no brighter glory, than being formed into the image and character of Christ. That is our final destination.

At the end of his life the apostle John penned these beautiful words: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure (1 John 3:1-3). Think about it! Even now, because of the work of Christ on the cross, we are counted as God’s children. But that’s not all! In the end we are certain about two things: (1) we will be like him, and (2) we will see him as he is. We will be able to behold his pure glory because we will have come to increasingly reflect that glory. That’s our destiny! That’s our purpose! That’s the point of it all! And all things, every detail of our lives – the good, the bad, and the ugly – are working toward that end.

So you see, just believing in Jesus and going to heaven when we die is, in the end, a very shallow understanding of our final destination. God has so much more in mind for us, both in this life and in the life to come. 

What Commands?

Famous last words! The final words people speak just before “passing over” are often famous, and tend to summarize the life of the one speaking. From “et tu, Brute” (Julius Caesar) to “This is the last of earth – I am content” (John Quincy Adams) to “Codeine . . . bourbon” (Tallulah Bankhead), last words tell us volumes about the priorities that determined the course of one’s life.

Everyone is familiar with the final words of Jesus before ascending back to the right hand of the Father, so familiar that we rarely pause to consider the depth of their meaning. Here they are: “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). We are able to live confidently, knowing that all authority belongs to Jesus. We’re comforted by knowing that Jesus will always be with us. And we know that Jesus instructed his followers to “Go.” And then we move on without exploring further the mission Jesus sent us on.

What are we to do as we “go”? First of all, we are to make disciples. We are to raise up a new generations of apprentices for Jesus. We are to form followers, students, those who will commit themselves to “learning Jesus.” Of course, that assumes we ourselves are disciples. It will be hard for us to make disciples if we have yet to be made disciples. The “commission” of Jesus begins by challenging us to revisit our own commitment to come under his yoke, enter into his school and learn his teachings, his way of life, and the principles that produced his way of life.

We are told to “make disciples of all nations.” Discipleship/apprenticeship is not just an individual matter. Communities can be discipled; people groups can be taught how to follow Jesus. Cities can learn how to live the Jesus Way. Jesus instructed us to accept the greater mission of empowering transformation across human barriers to the life of the larger community.

“Baptizing them,” introducing people to the covenant relationship with God made possible by the work of Christ and the Good News of his work. Christian initiation includes careful instruction in the Gospel that includes the mystery of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The foundation of what we believe about Jesus is crucial to the ongoing yoked life.

From the very beginning we are to “teach them to obey.” The local church has a very important teaching ministry. Systematic instruction, training, and equipping are part of the mandate shared by the gifted pastoral leaders provided by Christ to the church; it is also the responsibility of the local congregation as a whole. However, it’s important to remember that we are not just teaching precepts or ideas – we are teaching obedience. We are teaching a lifestyle of loving obedience to God, a life formed by a hearing ear and an obedient heart to the presence and voice of God in our lives.

But now it gets a bit more difficult. Jesus specifically instructed us to teach his disciples to obey “everything I have commanded you.” Commanded! What commands?! I thought commandments were an Old Testament thing. A “commandment” implies an obligation, instructions intended to be obeyed. Relationship with God was all about “Law” before Christ; now it’s all about “grace.” Isn’t it?

Actually, the “yoked life” of an apprentice of Jesus, a lifestyle of loving obedience, includes a clear understanding that some things are not suggestions, they are commandments. Do you remember the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount? “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.  Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:18-20). Jesus came to empower his followers to live out the spirit of the Law, not to set the Law aside. In fact, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for setting the Law aside: “Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matthew 15:3). Jesus advised the rich young ruler, “If you want to enter life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17). Jesus had a clear teaching about what he consider the “greatest commandment” (see Matthew 22:36-40).

In fact, as committed disciples we are very interested in hearing and obeying the “commands” of Jesus. That will significantly define the Jesus Way for us. Are you listening for the commands of Jesus? 

Which Jesus Do You Believe In?

Everyone is following somebody. “No man is an island.” Now that the political parties have had their conventions, some are following Mitt and some are following the President. (Others are choosing to stay as independent as possible.) Almost everyone in our corner of the world claims to be following Jesus. But what does that really mean? And who is Jesus, anyway?

Even in Jesus’s day there was great controversy about the meaning and nature of the Messiah among the Jews. Almost no one agreed on who Jesus was. Some said he was able to perform miracles because he was demon possessed (John 7:20). For some, Jesus was too human to be the Messiah (John 7:27). Others argued that Jesus couldn’t be the Messiah because he was from Galilee (John 7:41-43). Jesus himself warned that many false Messiahs would appear and attempt to deceive (Matthew 24:24). Later, the apostle Paul warned about preachers proclaiming “a different Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:4). Some contemporary religions have a very different view of Jesus; from Jesus as “a god” among other gods to Jesus as the brother of Lucifer. Many simply view Jesus as a great teacher, spiritual guru, righteous man, or even Palestinian revolutionary.

However, Jesus was very clear when defining himself. If we truly believe in Jesus, we need to believe the claims he made about himself: “I am the Son of God” (Matthew 27:43), and “I am God’s Son” (John 10:36). Jesus had an interesting conversation with a Samaritan woman: “The woman said, ‘I know that Messiah is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.’ Then Jesus declared, I, the one speaking to you—I am he’ (John 4:25-26). To the crowd Jesus said, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world" (John 8:23). To his disciples Jesus said, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am” (John 13:13). Jesus also claimed, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me” (John 14:11, 20).

In the Gospel of John Jesus gave very specific definitions of himself: I am the bread of life (John 6:35, 48). Jesus is the true nourishment provided by the Father, giving eternal life and true satisfaction to those who fully receive him.

I am the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5). Jesus is the Light of the Father shining into human darkness, showing us the way back. Jesus provides clear sight and direction in every area of life.

I am the gate for the sheep (John 10:7, 9). Jesus came to provide an entrance into the Father’s household, a sure and complete way to be reconciled with the Father and made a member of the Father’s family.

I am the good shepherd (John 10:11, 14). Jesus came to lead his “sheep” into green pastures and beside still waters. Jesus gave up his life for his sheep. As a result, he invites people to listen to his voice and to follow his compassionate leadership.

I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). Jesus came to lead us out of death into eternal life. Those who embrace Jesus and his word are no longer subject to death but grow from life to life.

I am the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6). Jesus is the way to the Father, the truth about the Father, and the life that comes from the Father. In fact, Jesus is the only truly reliable way back to God.

I am the true vine (John 15:1, 5). True life can only be found in an intimate, abiding relationship with Jesus, his words and his love finding a permanent home in our hearts.

I am a king (John 18:37). Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. All authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Jesus.

The most extreme statement Jesus made concerning himself brought an eventual charge of blasphemy: “’Very truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am” (John 8:58; see also John 18:5-6). Jesus was actually saying that he was the great I AM of the Old Testament! It’s no wonder the people tried to stone him on the spot (John 8:50).

God the Father was also very clear when confirming the person of Jesus: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17), and “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him” (Matthew 17:5).

C. S. Lewis famously said that Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. Why? Because he clearly claimed to be God’s Son, to be the Lord. If he isn’t and knows he isn’t, he’s a liar. If he isn’t but thinks that he is, he’s a lunatic. Who do you think Jesus is? Do you really believe?