September-October 1999
Recasting Christ in our Image
by Greg Albrecht
| Attempts to redefine Jesus may make us feel special, better and unique. But feeling good, better, special and unique is not what Christ calls us to do in this world. |
As so much recent dissension has centered on the personal example of the oval office occupant, I've been reflecting upon the example of former President Jimmy Carter.
President Carter's term in office was characterized by his Christianity consistently overwhelming his political positions. His Christianity didn't always translate into politics that worked, but that seems to be an inevitable consequence when church and state collide. Christianity and politics have never made great bedfellows. President Carter is not remembered as a great president, but he is remembered and known as a great Christian.
Overwhelming Christianity
It's easy for our politics, or any of our interests, to overwhelm our Christianity. We can turn the prayer of Jesus upside down -- "Yet not as I will, but as you will" (Matthew 26:39) -- until our prayer becomes "Yet not as you will, but as I will."
It's an easy trap to fall into, and it has happened to us all. Instead of yielding to Jesus and allowing him to transform us so that we look and act more like him, we can deceive ourselves into thinking Jesus is pleased if we make him look and act more like us.
Unfortunately, there are many attempts in Christianity to recast Jesus into our image -- some attracting a huge following. For example:
· The feel-good Christ. The False Premise: It is God's will for all of us to be healthy and wealthy. All we have to do is "name it and claim it." Just say the right words in the right way, in a positive profession of faith, to receive the magic-potion Christ. And, if you still lack financial resources, or if you are still sick, you must be doing something wrong. God is not blessing you!
· The passport Christ. The False Premise: You don't have to put up with the world or be a part of it. Christians should escape and live as hermits apart from the world. We should be separate, forming colonies and enclaves so that the world doesn't infect us. And we should all have a plot of land in the country, especially in light of Y2K, so that we can escape.
· The middle-to-upper-class Christ. The False Premise: The status quo is always the best solution. Don't rock the boat. Why be involved in ministries like racial reconciliation? Why not just "leave well enough alone?" Denouncing injustice or crying out for the rights and needs of the poor and homeless just stirs up trouble.
· The Santa Claus Christ. The False Premise: Christ's job is to give and give and never stop giving. And Christ should never ask anything in return. Our job as Christians is to simply receive and receive, and no one should even hint that we have obligations.
· The Denominational Christ. The False Premise: There is only one true church and one set of true doctrines (and, of course, it just happens to be your denomination). Everyone else is wrong and deceived.
Feeling Better
Of course such ideas appeal to us because they make us think Christianity belongs only to us. These ideas can make us feel special, better and unique. But feeling good, better, special and unique is not what Christ calls us to do in this world.
The Bible says that Jesus is special, superior and unique. He transforms us, turning us into what he wants us to be. He will live his life in us so that we follow and obey his will, not our own.
We Christians must not attempt to perform spiritual cosmetic surgery on Jesus so that he can "look like us." We want to look like Jesus, the Jesus of the Bible.
Greg Albrecht's Plain Truth Commentary can be heard each week on a number of radio stations as well as the PTM website -- www.ptm.org.