The Bungee Cord  5-17-21

Hello,

 

As odd as it may seem, I have come to see that the point of the Christian faith in my life is not to become a good person.  Rather, the point of the Christian faith is to become a person of God.

 

You see, if Christianity is all about making good people, then that puts Christianity alongside so many other things whose object is to do the same thing.  Rotary Clubs.  Educational groups.  Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.  Planet Fitness gyms.  Sports teams.  Patriotic groups.  When you look around, there are all sorts of things who hope to be about forming good people.  And if you ask each one, you’ll find out that each of them has their own take on what it means to be a “good person”.  So, if Christianity is a “good person” factory, then it is no wonder that many people see no need for it, or take it so lightly  because there are lots of other places to turn to turn out a good person.

 

But as I see it, it seems an awfully high price to pay, that Jesus would endure the sufferings he received and a crucifixion on a cross to simply set up a good person’s society.  As a matter of fact, I can’t think of any group that seeks to make good people that was begun with such a high price.  There must be something other to the Christian faith.

 

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. (John 3:16)…..³And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (John 17:3)

 

I think that these two verses from the Book of John capture the unique purpose of Christianity: to raise up people who know God.  And when I say that I don’t mean that the point of Christianity is to merely intellectually assert the existence of God, or even be able to retell all of the stories from the Bible.  That would be knowing about God.  No, as the Bible says, the goal of Christianity is to know God.  In the Biblical meaning of the word “know”, there is a sense of deep and intimate understanding.  Trusting completely.  At one in thought and heartbeat.  Inseparably united.

 

In Jesus, God does what is seemly beyond belief, God knows humanity, in order that we might know God. And when we know God, as deeply as God knows us, our eyes take in wonder that surpasses all human understanding.  Our ears hear pulses of power that spring from eternity and rumble to the close of time.  Our hearts beat with the compassion of the One who treasures everything in the universe.  Our hands feel the strong grip of divine love and mercy that will not let us go.  Our weak knees are steadied with a quiet of peace that not even death and disturb.  And our entire self is blanketed in grace and mercy that is impenetrable. 

 

The world is a very complex place, so complex that simply striving to be good often leaves us empty handed.  But to be a person of God, one who as the Bible says is a piece of clay in the hands of the potter, in that I find great hope for myself, hope for all the people of the world, hope for all the people of all time….and if I might be so bold to say so, hope for you, too.

 

Have a great week.

God’s grace and peace, (ggap)

Pastor Jerry Nuernberger