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Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus and you . . . will be saved (Acts 16:30-31).
I should be calmer when I hear the disdain of those who, by their education and training, should know better. Yet despite such education they ridicule the idea of a personal relationship with Jesus.
I should be calm, but I am not. The idea of experiencing a vibrant
relationship with Christ is too much a part of me to let such wrongheaded
challenges go unanswered. I get annoyed to hear them say Jesus’ salvation is not an individual experience, but rather a communal
experience. "Me and
Jesus” – they say – is erroneous theology, unknown to the Church until the
post-reformation period.
It could be that those who scorn the idea of “me and Jesus” mean something other than what it sounds like they mean. It could be they find no place in Scripture for ‘me-ism” Christianity.
It could be that those who scorn the idea of “me and Jesus” mean something other than what it sounds like they mean. It could be they find no place in Scripture for ‘me-ism” Christianity.
And
such an assertion would be correct. There is no place in Scripture for a
maverick faith, no Biblical reason for a Christian to avoid fellowship
with the larger community (e.g. Psalm 95:6; Psalm 133; Hebrews 10:25). Nevertheless, there have always been (and probably always
will be) Christians who offer many excuses to hold themselves aloof
from the Body.
I’ve met people like that. Who hasn't? But as St. Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome, “If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar” (Romans 3:3-4).
So,
perhaps that is what those who mock the idea of ‘me and Jesus’ mean
when they disparage the relationship I and so many millions of
Christians
have enjoyed over the millennia.
But if that is not what they mean, their viewpoint irritates me because not
only have I had a personal, intimate and maturing relationship with
Jesus during the last 43 years, but a personal salvation is clearly
illustrated throughout the Scripture – and has been the experience of millions
of Christians throughout Church history, dating to the apostles themselves.
St. Paul wrote to Timothy, It is a trustworthy statement, worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost (emphasis mine). The apostle also wrote, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 121); and, If any one be in Christ he is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). St. Luke recorded Jesus’ words about the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son (Luke 15). St. Matthew records Jesus’ promise that the hairs of our head – yours and mine – are all numbered by the Father (Matthew 10:30).
As I sit here typing, dozens and dozens of Biblical texts are rolling around in my memory -- and perhaps also in yours --- all of which shout the truth that ‘me and Jesus” is a God-ordained and God-desired Biblical experience rooted in the supernatural relationship that God offers individuals like me and you.
A personal relationship.
What else could king David have meant when he wrote, O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all (Psalm 139:1-4).
A personal relationship.
Why else would the Lord Jesus have left the ninety-nine sheep in the fold of the community and search for the one individual? For someone like 'me.'
St. Paul wrote to Timothy, It is a trustworthy statement, worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost (emphasis mine). The apostle also wrote, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 121); and, If any one be in Christ he is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). St. Luke recorded Jesus’ words about the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son (Luke 15). St. Matthew records Jesus’ promise that the hairs of our head – yours and mine – are all numbered by the Father (Matthew 10:30).
As I sit here typing, dozens and dozens of Biblical texts are rolling around in my memory -- and perhaps also in yours --- all of which shout the truth that ‘me and Jesus” is a God-ordained and God-desired Biblical experience rooted in the supernatural relationship that God offers individuals like me and you.
A personal relationship.
What else could king David have meant when he wrote, O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all (Psalm 139:1-4).
A personal relationship.
Why else would the Lord Jesus have left the ninety-nine sheep in the fold of the community and search for the one individual? For someone like 'me.'
And you.
As
I said, perhaps those who snipe at the ‘me and Jesus’
idea really take issue with the unsupportable position of maverick
Christianity. But if they believe -- as their accusations seem to imply
-- that there is no Biblical justification for "me and Jesus', then I
hope they will reconsider the whole of Scripture, and not just texts
taken out of context.
"Me and Jesus" is a Bible-based reality that can change our lives forever.
2 comments:
Amen! It is idiotic to reject a personal relationship with Jesus since He came, suffered, and died for each individual. Getting to know Him is an endless joy. If we were just to be one of the crowd, then why didn't Jesus just wave His arms over the multitudes and say, "Everybody who has a skin disease, now you're cured! All you blind people, now you can see!" Instead, it was personal encounters with Him where the healing took place, and the individual faith of those asking for healing that brought it about. We are all in need of healing of some kind. We should pray for those who reject that personal relationship with Christ. Not one saint would agree with that position.
Well stated, Barb. I especially like your last sentence: "Not one saint would agree with that position."
rich
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