Truth To Wonder: conversation for christ

Someone said at church this week, ‘People only talk to me about work. I’m more than my job.’ The sad tone of that person’s voice is being increasingly echoed across many layers of society. Many are tired of just being a role, they are seeking recognition for who they are, and yet the church is not soothing this soul ache.

Instead, many churches are unwittingly furthering this epidemic of heavy spirits. They are doing so by teaching that God is wonderful because of what He does for us only. Of course this is true to a point, and therein lies the danger. God is wonderful in how He watches over us and provides for us each day. Yet if that is why we love Him, then it is based upon what He does for us rather than who He is. We are loving Him on a selfish foundation rather than a selfless one.

This thinking has seeped into how we often view Christ Jesus, the full revelation of the Godhead. We reduce our love for Him down to what He has done for us on a day-to-day basis, much like how we view each other. In times of blessing, the love is strong. In times of hardship and persecution however, the love is weak. We reflect this view of Christ in our treatment of each other. In times of success, we can be kind and interested in our neighbour. In times of struggle, lacking, poverty etc, we can be cold and disinterested. The Lord has something powerful to say on this matter in the parable of the Good Samaritan. 

To truly love Christ is of course to be deeply and daily thankful for all that He does for us each day. It should not however be the basis for our love for Him. We are to love Him for who He is. We are to love Him for His purity, His holiness, His grace, His justice, His mercy, His meekness, His strength, His faithfulness, His compassion, His omnipotence, His omniscience, His love. When we can love Him for all these things and more, even when these glorious attributes of His seem so far from us, then we have understood Him! Then we can sit with Job and say I will bless the Lord whether He gives or takes away. 

When we are able to truly live such a love for Christ Jesus, then we renewed to view all things by the Spirit of God. We are blessed at long last to see the person beneath the job role. We are blessed to see the pains, the doubts, the sufferings that most miss because we do not stop at the veneer of their lives. When we do so, we give that life hope that they are seen and heard, just as our Lord has done so for us. When a life feels so acknowledged, that is when Godly courage can flourish, that is when timid lives can be set alight for Christ Jesus and the Gospel! That is when love for Christ Jesus is lived and Heaven sings His glories! 

We must ask ourselves, do we love Jesus Christ for what He gives us each day alone? Or do we love Him because of all that He is and has invited us to know and enjoy forevermore?