Your Testimony!

Many churches today focus on Jesus' works as a model for a Christian's life.  "You should do more and live better lives!"  "You should give more of your time to church activities and be a role model for people to see Jesus!"  "Don't let anyone see you sin!"

It's as if Jesus did nothing but teach about how to live the model "good life" and that if you follow His teachings well enough, God will be happy with you.  He may even give you extra points when you stand before Him, hoping that He will say, at the very least, "Pretty good, mostly faithful servant who did your best."

What?  What???  But we really believe that deep down, right?  We fear we will have missed the mark after having lived our lives trying to be as morally good and selfless as Jesus.  That's not the Christian life!

I suggest that we stop focusing on the things Jesus did and rather look to what happened to Him:  He was miraculously born of the Spirit.  He was crucified, died, and was buried.  He was resurrected.  He ascended into heaven and then sat down in the place of highest honor and glory.

Oh wait!  Snap!  Were we just talking about Jesus, or are we talking about you?!?  You???  Yes, YOU!!!  His testimony is yours, too!  It's the SAME STORY!!!  You overcame by the blood of the Lamb *and* by your testimony, which is wrapped up with Jesus's.  Read that list above; the very same things that happened to Jesus also happened to you!  (You were re-born, right?  Same Holy Spirit, right?)

So, quit trying to follow the teachings of Jesus, and instead allow His resurrected life--which is united to yours--to flow out of you and produce a bumper crop of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control.  It never was about you.  It was never about following someone's teachings.  Admit it, you could never follow them anyway, and no, God neither honors effort, nor does He grade on a curve.  Only faith pleases Him.  Will you now stop all your effort and trust that Jesus obeyed perfectly on your behalf?  You should, because you are fully forgiven, and your righteousness is a free gift that you receive ONLY by simply believing it's true about you.

Read your testimony above again.  That's how you overcame.  You with Jesus.  Jesus with you.  You don't really need anymore teaching than that.  Now, go let the Spirit out of you!

Grace=Peace,

Jeremy