T.G.I.M.

"What is Christianity all about?"

I ask this question because here lately we've been looking at what it means to be a true Christian church and not a false one. We established that according to the Scriptures, and affirmed by church fathers, faithful Bible teachers and Reformation theologians, the first mark of a true church is the true preaching of God's Word followed by the proper administration of the sacraments and church discipline. Someday I hope to get to the last two, and there are others as well after these. But maybe we should back-up and ask: 

What does it even mean to be a Christian? 

What is Christianity all about? 

Some will say that it's about being a better person. Some will say that it's about family values, traditions, reaching your potential, rules, doxology, forgiveness, and the list goes on. 

Although these aren't bad things, Christianity is not about these things. Christianity is not about a system; it's about a person. Christianity is about Jesus Christ. 

It's about who He is and what He does. 

It's about what He has done for us, in our lives and in human history. Everything begins and ends with Him, and revolves around Him. As Christians, we are "Christ-centered."

All Scripture is about Him: 

"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he ( Jesus ) interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." ( Luke 24:27 ) 

He IS the Word. ( John 1:1-5 ) 

This month in our doctrinal class at Grace Church we are taking a long look into "Christology," which simply put is the study of Christ. So all of this is fresh in my mind. 

As students of the Bible we are now examining the nature of Christ and the work of Christ, I kept thinking to myself during the lectures and discussions that I don't want these truths to ever NOT be fresh in my mind. I regret and repent of all the years they weren't. I want them to dominate my thought life always. I need them too, as followers of Christ, we all do. And they should. 

Because Christ is the essence of Christianity. As Pastor Charlie said in class, "When we talk about Jesus, we are talking about everything." 

And it is beyond heartbreaking that we live in a "Christian" culture that has forgotten this truth. Or worse, never knew what Christianity was all about to begin with - Jesus Christ. He is the beginning and the end and everything in between. 

But Jesus Christ has been replaced with a multitude of other things, and some are good things. Very good things. Like God the Holy Spirit who himself is the third person of the Godhead. But Jesus said that after He ascends, He and the Father will send the Holy Spirit to us as his followers, and "He will glorify me." ( John 16:14 ) 

The Holy Spirit always points us to Christ. He doesn't point to himself. He is with us forever, saving us and keeping us and sanctifying us, transforming us into the image of Christ. ( John 14-16 ) 

However, some have replaced Jesus with the desire for miracles, spiritual gifts, manifestations, and "moves" of the Spirit, seeking those things instead of Christ as they gather for a worship service. 

Some have removed Christ altogether because they don't think they need anyone to "save" them because deep down they think that they are already really good people in spite of their "mistakes." They don't want all that bloody sacrifice stuff. It's not necessary. In fact, it's "cosmic child abuse." 

Some have replaced Jesus with his kingdom itself, even though Jesus said that his kingdom is not of this world, removing Jesus and appointing themselves as the heroes of God's story who will exercise authority and execute "greatness" as they usher in the Kingdom of God. Foolish people who are stealing the glory of God in Christ. 

Some have replaced Jesus with their best life now, seeking health, wealth, and worldly success, instead of denying themselves, taking up their crosses and sharing in Christ's sufferings as well as his joy, so they can also share in his glory. ( Romans 8:17 ) 

And yet, they miss the beautiful truth. They fail to see and understand from the Scriptures: 

Jesus so identifies with His Church that He will share his glory with us! This is amazing. On the road to Damascus ( Acts 9 ) when Paul ( Greek for Saul ) is knocked down and blinded by the resurrected Christ, he asked Saul why he is persecuting Him? Only Saul wasn't persecuting Jesus - he was persecuting His Church. But to persecute The Church is to persecute Jesus himself because we are the Body of Christ. He is the head. ( Colossians 1:18 ) 

This is part of our inheritance in Christ's sacrifice. ( Colossians 1:12-13 ) He is the Good Shepherd, and we are his sheep. ( John 10 ) He is the vine, and we are the branches. ( John 15 ) 

And yet, in light of this astounding, bewildering truth, we want to replace Him? As if He could be replaced. ( John 15:5 )  Like the devil, we want to be just like god ourselves, calling the shots, not content with or truly understanding and living in appreciation of our glorious inheritance in Christ of redemption and forgiveness of sins. Foolish people. That's what got us in this sinful mess in the first place. 

Friends, that's why I want this to always be fresh in my mind. That's one of our fleshy struggles and temptations, isn't it? To forget Christ and remember ourselves. "He must increase, but I must decrease." ( John 3:30 )  As we go about our day today and everyday in the busyness or loneliness of our lives, where ever we are, let's constantly remind ourselves of what Christianity is all about in the first place. 

Christ. 

💜