Do you follow friends, family, celebrities, politicians? Keep up with what they say / post online? If so, you're not alone in this pursuit. It's amazing, thanks to technology, how individuals / corporate entities can now promote themselves and their viewpoints so captivatingly. To think that they're now given permission to "Notify" us relative to a newsfeed or tweet in real time via our ubiquitous pocket computers.
2,000 years ago, Jesus was followed by throngs. He gained people's attention via his words and miracles, and a few of those followers as such recorded the three years of his ministry on Earth via their God-inspired writings (which became the gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke & John).
And we've had access to these writings for thousands of years within the Bible, God's Holy Word.
Much of what is written within those texts was based on his interactions with both individuals and the aforementioned throngs. Lots of church-folk engaged with him, as you might imagine, and they were almost immediately threatened by his presence. Therefore, this tension resulted in some intense exchanges. Many of which are recorded within the gospels.
And this makes for some great, really insightful reading relative to comprehending what Jesus' modus operandi was during that time - pissing off the religious folk and ministering to the needy / marginalized / broken.
It's important to note too that lots of regular folks engaged with Jesus. Many of these were simply mesmerized at him, the way he spoke, carried himself, and of course, what he could achieve for them - instantly - if he so chose to.
Yet, he arguably abhorred much of the attention, and no doubt worked proactively to manage his fanbase (if you will) via his publicists (disciples) and intentionally chosen footpath.
Jesus' words / actions have divided men for centuries. Not regarding their exact meaning (Jesus spoke plainly enough) but where exactly they were originating from. Jesus claimed to be God all the way up to his death, therefore any and everything he said carried distinct weight. Unless, you chose to not believe his claim. One of the primary themes of Scripture (rebellion) plays out yet again within these gospel texts (as compared to the Old Testament chronicles of the Israelites). As such, it's the abject demonization of Jesus via these aforementioned churchfolk that may very well serve as a frame of reference relative to the seeds of our own doubt / lackadaisical approach to our walk with God.
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When I was in high school back in the '80s, I traveled to Memphis to attend a weekend-long, winter Bible conference with my church youth group. It was hosted at the original Bellevue Baptist Church in downtown Memphis. The presenter was none other than Mr. Dawson McCallister who was quite popular at the time as a youth speaker (screamer). Dawson often "toured" with musician Mr. Al Denson, and Al, being a pianist, complemented Dawson's abrasiveness perfectly.
This conference focused on Jesus' last days on Earth, and Dawson did an amazing job of keeping us focused throughout the weekend despite our youthful bleary-eyedness / short attention spans.
If I took away anything at all from this weekend, it was me concluding that Dawson McCallister wasn't a crazy man, and as such his deep seated views of Jesus should be strongly considered. And this shaped my position as a Christian, specifically considering the weightiness of Christ's teachings. Dawson was successful in doing this through his articulate passion and his consistency - conference to camp to retreat. Not to mention the inner workings of the Holy Spirit in and through me. We certainly can't discount that hugely helpful gift.
I owe a lot to Mr. Dawson McCallister. Not only did I make a public profession of faith at one of his youth summer conferences (camps) whilst in middle school, but by also attending this weekend Bible conference there in Memphis, I became convinced / convicted of the gospel's brevity far beyond a simplistic "fire insurance policy". It was life changing.
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The easiest means to establish a false assuredness relative to one's good (fine) standing with another human being is to keep one's distance. Don't pursue. Engage with them only during prescribed engagements. Be polite but nothing else.
This approach keeps you in control, or at least it gives you some reassurance of being in control.
The gospel is built on Jesus. His life, death & resurrection. The Bible clearly promotes the notion of being in relationship with God or Jesus and for this personal relationship to be "in good standing". One of the hallmarks of the Protestant Christian faith is Bible study, and subsequently expecting, through this discipline, for God to sanctify the Christian. It's an approach that's never to be intentioned within the same vein as, again, those aforementioned religious folk (that Jesus so despised). That being for personal gain / relevancy.
Yet sanctification is oftentimes of little interest to Christians, and I believe this neglectful approach has grown out of two distinct factors.
1. No one sincerely modeled / proved to them the relevance of sanctification.
2. Sanctification encroaches on free will. Free will to think / act as he / she sees fit to. Free will is elevated here in the West as one of our most sanctimonious / cherished pursuits.
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Did you know that Jesus spoke about all manner of things, including lust?
He's quoted as saying some semblance of the following: Lust equates to actually sinfully performing the sex act - fornication / adultery with the target of said sexual fantasies. Yikes!
Did he really decree that?
He did.
Why is this important?
Because Jesus also mentioned specifically lukewarm Christians. Remember what I wrote above? Here it is again:
The easiest means to establish a false assuredness relative to one's standing with another human being is to keep one's distance. Don't pursue. Engage with them only during prescribed engagements. Be polite but nothing else.
This approach keeps you in control, or at least it gives you some reassurance of being in control.
Jesus (God) disdains being treated as such. Instead, he wants to maintain control of your life, your thoughts. Yes, even your very will.
So, what can we conclude from this "maintaining control" trend as Christians?
1. It's not where God wants us in relationship with him.
2. Taking #1 into account, God will not reciprocate positively.
3. Pray for / invite men into your life who'll provoke you to choose another approach (more or less seriously) to your walk with God. Samson Society men should provide a petri dish of candidates in that regard.
4. Get off the fence. Today.
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