Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.  (Hebrews 2:1-2 ESV)

I once thought that unbelievers really liked Jesus but disliked Christians. But I no longer believe that. I really think that many only like a Jesus of their own imaginations not the Jesus of the Bible.

The preaching of a self-centered and non-Lordship ‘gospel’ in American churches has been devastating to the spiritual life of Christians in our country. Many have drifted so far away from the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament, that this new version of Christianity barely resembles biblical Christianity.  The teaching of Jesus seems harsh and almost foreign to many in our culture. Also a tolerance of living a life contrary to what Jesus taught is falsely mistaken for compassion in our day. But, it’s because of the compassion of Jesus, that he sets up boundaries for our own good.

The real Jesus demands repentance from the morally upright religious person that lives a self-righteous life, as well as the social activist who denies Jesus’ authority over their own moral lives. Maybe it’s time we all take a closer look at the teachings of Jesus, and the New Testament epistles. Jesus makes hard demands on our lives, but offers those that surrender to his agenda, peace and help to live the life that he requires. And when we fail – and we will – God’s amazing grace covers our sin.

Jesus doesn’t expect perfection, but he does demand repentance (turning from our own way of life and agreeing with His way of living). As we embrace Jesus’ way of life (Kingdom Life) he gives us the grace to overcome sin in our personal lives, if we acknowledge our failures. He does not condemn us when we sin – he helps us to recognize our absolute dependence upon his divine power. Let us return to Jesus and acknowledge our sin. We must also fix our hearts on the real Jesus of the Bible. As we focus on His teaching we must pray for help to live the Kingdom life he presents to us. And we get help in our fight against sin as we pursue the Kingdom of God with a community of believers.

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14, ESV)

“The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” (John 6:52-58, ESV)

When Jesus says, “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood” it’s clear that he is using metaphoric language. He uses this language to call for total commitment. Jesus did not come to the earth and die to make us successful and to leave us in our sins. He was resurrected from the dead for us so that we could live a resurrected life, now, abiding in his presence. This brief moment we call life is merely preparation for eternity with God. Jesus is not a part time savior, he requires total commitment to himself and his Kingdom. In John chapter 6 we see the narrow path of discipleship that Jesus teaches his students. And at that point many walk away from the Teacher.

This path to God is only through his unique and only Son, Jesus. Radical commitment to the Son of God isn’t a life of sinless perfection, but it will lead to that on the day we see him and are glorified in his presence, in Heaven. But as we journey on the narrow road with Him we are being changed from one degree of glory to another. All of us on this journey are called to hold on to the things of this world loosely and to focus on God’s kingdom agenda.

As we begin to comprehend this call and walk this path, we must not be like those that followed Jesus for material things he could give them. Yes, He gives us what we need, but what we need the most is his character and life transforming presence. It’s a counter- cultural thought but we must consume him if we expect to live eternally with him.

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:26 -31 NIV)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.( John 15:15 NIV)

Real, Holy Spirit, Christian power is found and experienced in weakness. Followers of Jesus are called to embrace the weakness that he himself walked in while on the earth. While the world values charismatic personalities, money and prestige, God values humility. Charismatic personalities and materialism can actually be a hindrance to real spiritual power in the Church. God doesn’t use many of the rich and powerful of this world. He is most glorified when he takes the lowly, and uses them as his instruments of salvation, and to bring healing to the broken. The power to restore humanity can only be found in embracing the One who died in weakness, but was raised in power. And we can partake of that power.

To follow Jesus is to embrace a life of humility. Jesus did not come to start a political movement or to use an army to advance his kingdom. Christians should influence governments and society in a positive way, but real change in behavior can only come from changed hearts. And hearts are changed by believing the gospel and following Jesus. While earthly rulers stay in power by military force. Jesus depended on his Father, and was empowered by the Spirit, to fulfill his calling and ministry. As followers of “the Jesus way” we aren’t called to die for the sins of the world, but we are called to embrace the cross, and die to our own selfish way of life. This cross driven life helps others to see Jesus in us, and to bring others into his Kingdom. This is a life that has been filled by the Holy Spirit, and outwardly appears foolish to those who are perishing.

We must die to our selfish way of life to experience true power. The power that comes from above, is demonstrated by the love of God and neighbor. The power that comes from below is earthly natural and demonic and is built on pride and self-centeredness. The Holy Spirit enables us to reject illegitimate sinful ways of living, so that we can testify to the overcoming power of the living God. We can only overcome our sinful tendencies and do the work of God by acknowledging our total inability, and lack of power within ourselves. When sinful hindrances are removed, we can be used more effectively by God. Our appetite for sin decreases as we experience the unhindered presence of the Spirit, in our lives. When we fall short of God’s best for us (and we do) we confess and turn from our sins, and pursue Christ as our supreme treasure. A cross empower life is the key to the transformative power of God.

“I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” ( Job 42:2 ESV)

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” ( 2 Tim. 4:3 ESV)

Post-modernism has so permeated our society and the church, that many are not willing to teach or stand for absolute truth anymore.  I have great confidence that none of the purposes of God will be thwarted – His truth will prevail. We have been so inundated with teachings that are contrary to sound biblical truth, that many are being indoctrinated by a powerless gospel that cast doubt on the validity of Scripture. This man-centered gospel does not have the power to transform the human heart.

As a “recovering sinner” as Dallas Willard puts it, I do not trust my own logic to interpret who God is or to understand His attributes with my mind alone. It is important to look outside ourselves to God’s word to get the right perspective of who He is and how we are to relate to Him. Forming our own spirituality has become quite popular in recent decades, which has resulted in creating ‘gods’ in our own image. Many have rejected the faith because of  the weak version of Christianity that has been presented to them. Some reject the faith because they refuse to live by God’s standards that are outside our control. We buy the lie of Satan that we can be lords over our own lives.

The lack of genuine discipleship in our rational and materialistic culture has been a legitimate problem. The American version of Christianity has produced many Church members but few disciples. I am encouraged that we are in a season where some in the Church are returning to  biblical teachings on character, prayer and mediation, sound doctrine, and  Holy Spirit power.