When we talk about various ways to express ‘church’ we must always keep in mind that external change alone is meaningless if it does not put Jesus back at the center of our life. But, sometimes, changing externals does give us the opportunity to renew Jesus as the center and focal point and to help us keep Him there—with no additions and nothing else added to the mix. That is the whole point!
Oswald Chambers says it well:
Is my knowledge of Jesus the result of my own internal spiritual perception, or is it only what I have learned through listening to others? Is there something in my life that unites me with the Lord Jesus as my personal Savior? My spiritual history must have as its underlying foundation a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ. To be born again means that I see Jesus. “. . . unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).” (Emphasis added).
Are we still relying on externals as the primary source of our spiritual life? Listening to the teachings or experiences of others? Relying primarily on the gatherings we go to for sustaining us? Looking for our main inspiration from the next book or blog post?
Or are we developing a rhythm in our life that revolves directly around the person, Jesus:
- Encountering Jesus directly, daily
- Listening to His voice
- Opening the broken places of our life to His redemption, power, and healing.
- Going into the world with a sense of His leading and an awareness of His creative ability to bring Kingdom words and deeds uniquely through us.
And, one last question. How are we doing this? If it’s not just externals, and not all religious duties, then how do you keep Jesus at the very center of your life?
Comments
5 responses to “Jesus Alone at the Center”
Good reminder. Thank you.
God Bless. See you there!
Yes, keeping Jesus at the center for all of us is the key for us to see good days, long life and success. Spend time in the Word, what is it He is saying today that you need to get through the day or season in your life? Pray, get an impression, thought, idea, Scripture, picture, etc. and move on from there and He will meet you where you are at and give you the daily spiritual food you need!
Thank you!
Hi, Roger
I absolutely agree with you that it isn’t about relying on or relating to this or that, but rather on our Lord. I noticed fairly recently also that pretty much all (if not all) prayers in the NT are addressed to the Father, and that of course the Holy Spirit is essential to living the life of Christ in us.
So I’d like to bring up what I see as an important point as well, that while our Lord Jesus is the embodiment of the Godhead as per Col 1 (and I don’t want to open a new topic here for you), we have such a big and wonderful Abba and an always present helper in time of need in the dear Holy Spirit.
Jesus as our example did nothing He didn’t see His Father do, and He saw and did these things via the empowerment of the Spirit within Him — the same Spirit who has now been given to help and instruct and empower us, so that we may follow our wonderful Messiah’s lead.
Love in Jesus,
Cindy
I agree that what I know of Jesus must not only be spoon fed me via another person. One of the most important truths that Jesus has taught me directly through His Word and His Spirit of Holiness is in Romans 15:11…And again, Praise the Lord all ye Gentiles; and Laud Him all ye people….The word “laud” is changed to “praise” in most modern versions, but it is much more than that. I studied the meaning of Laud, it means to extol with all your strength and voice. That is what I have been doing since and my heart is filled with love for God when I do this.
I hope someone reads this and receives the blessing.