All Christians have a Relationship with Jesus
A notable feature of many Christian organisations and churches today is that they are regarded as groups that major on social and ethical concerns or have musical interests. Such interests make them much more amenable to the interests of society and consequently may help in both recruitment and funding. In contrast when the New Testament letters are read, the apostles’ prime concern is that church people should be thrilled with Jesus Christ and have a longing to please him.
Take for example, the troubled church at Corinth that Paul wrote to. Factions had developed there with considerable backbiting and dissent. The Church services were as much about satisfying egos and personal status as praising God or learning from his word. There was sexual promiscuity amongst church members as well as many other features suggesting a sensual spiritual immaturity.
Reading the opening chapter of 1 Corinthians brings us all face to face with the apostolic priority that can prevent this. A personal relationship with the Lord Jesus is the Biblical key to overcoming all other difficulties.
1Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Corinthians 1:1-10
There can be no doubt about Paul’s intention by beginning this letter with his repetitive use of the name of Jesus. Christians are committed to the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus, God’s chosen king, is our Lord. The solution to all difficulties and problems facing both individual Christians and churches comes from this understanding. Paul continues this letter by saying that natural man wants to hear good rhetoric or see miraculous signs. But he responds by saying that the apostles have rejected the idea of trying to satisfy such appetites. Instead they teach the message about Jesus, his Lordship and his death as our substitute on the cross. Many church leaders have tried to offer alternative foundations to encourage the growth of their churches. Paul reminds them,
“For no-one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11
When Paul wrote his epistle to the Philippians he uses the same approach. He repeatedly mentions the Lord Jesus in virtually every sentence at the beginning. This is clearly because a Christian is not defined as someone who is associated with a church – it is a person who has entered a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus and is now living for Him and not for himself.
1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guardand to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defence of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
With the Western Church facing so many conflicts and tensions, let us listen first to those who have kept this apostolic priority, who continue to speak of a personal relationship with Christ as the focus of the true Church. If this focus is omitted these leaders are missing the point. The church is here to share with all people the message that in spite of our past rebellion against the rule of Christ in our personal lives, there is a genuine solution. It depends on the character of God. The Lord Jesus loves to forgive all who come honestly and openly to him asking for forgiveness for their rebellion and who are willing to start a new life centred on him. This is why Paul can summarise his new life with the words,
“For me to live is Christ . . . ” Phil 1:21
This is true for all Christians. An emphasis on doctrine is important but if this omits the most vital doctrine, that it is a close personal relationship with Jesus that changes people’s lives, then all is lost. Christians will have a ‘joy in Christ Jesus’ (Phil 1:26). Christians will demonstrate a unity as they courageously advance the reputation of Christ in their society.
“I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.” Phil 1:27-28
How many groups are fastidious about their denominational doctrines but do not demonstrate this warmth for Jesus. Christians are to be “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:11). This must mean a life changed through that personal relationship. No love for Jesus will mean no love or concern for the salvation of others .
How we Christians need desperately to emphasise this relationship as being the root of everything – it is the key to our salvation. Our mission can only be effective if it stems from a love for Jesus and all he has done for us.
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being likeminded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” Phil 2:1-2
There are many religious leaders around who have a different emphasis, perhaps relying on sacraments, perhaps in the mystery of their services. In contrast other groups emphasise the ebullience of their services and their attempts to give people experiences. However any who fail to emphasise the vital Christian foundation, a personal submission to Jesus Christ, and a love for God’s written revelation to us, the Bible, are denying the apostolic faith.
As I wrote this, I had a telephone conversation with an old friend I had not heard from for 20 years. When we first met he was on the fringe of our church. We invited him to come with us to hear the Argentinean evangelist, Luis Palao. As we returned home in the coach he was sitting at the back. We talked about the importance of entering into this personal relationship and I urged him come off the fence and accept what Jesus offered. When he reached home he wrestled with this decision until 3am when he finally accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour. He became an active leader of the young people in the church but then moved away and we lost contact. I learnt today that he is now a senior Methodist minister who remains very clear about the centrality of a personal relationship with Jesus that the apostles stressed and he is still rejoicing in that relationship himself and remains a faithful Bible teacher.
Such emphases will not be popular, they never have been. Paul knew this but he remained faithful and he urged his followers to remain the same. How better to finish this article with some of the last words of Paul to young Timothy, written shortly before his execution.
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:1-8
This longing will be apparent in the way we enthuse about Jesus with others we know and meet.
BVP
Oct 2010
