ME AND JESUS GOT OUR OWN THING GOING

How many times have we heard it? "Christianity is a relationship not a religion!"

At first I thought I understood what was meant. I thought we were being challenged to walk with the Savior rather than rely on church membership or rituals.

But I have come to see that this "relationship" talk has really been more about reshaping Jesus to fit our expectations, rather than our conforming to His demands, humbly and without reservations.

After Pastor Bill Hybels and the Willowcreek Leadership team discovered the large gap between church attendance and Christian commitment, he determined to change the accent of his ministry. He recently wrote:

"Instead of 'Is Jesus my friend?' we will be asking 'Is Jesus the authority and guide for my life?'"

We could not agree more.

All this reminds me of a silly bumper sticker that was popular years ago, "Jesus is Savior, But Is He Lord?"

The truth is, "Unless He is Lord, He cannot be our Savior." Furthermore, "If He is not Lord of All, He is not Lord AT all!"

At the root of the moral crisis facing our nation is a theological crisis in our faith communities. Some are relying on ritual. Some are relying on intellectual assent to a set of beliefs. Some are relying on super-natural experiences. But Christ has called us to rely on Him.

To believe in Him is to believe HIM, and believe everything He said is right. What He said about love and obedience is right. What He said about marriage and morality is right. What He said about repentance and forgiveness is right.

If it can be said that we have a relationship with Christ, it is not a relationship of peers! It is the relationship of a Sovereign to His Servants. Oh that God would purge our hearts of that pride which lifts us up to His level, and that sin which brings Him down to our level.