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Pastor's Blog July 2, 2020
"Growing Up Into Christ II"
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There are two temptations to which Christians usually succumb with respect to growing closer to Jesus: becoming apathetic or punctilious. Those who become apathetic about their life with Jesus (i.e., are lax in prayer, Bible reading and study, worshiping with others, doing good works, loving and helping others, witnessing, etc.) tend to get exhausted by their own efforts at trying to be excited about Jesus or "having" to do all these things. Those who become punctilious (i.e., stress the need to adhere to lifestyle standards, insist everyone engage in "church work," bemoan the spiritual state of their congregation or denomination, etc.) tend to focus on the details of behavior, thoughts, feelings, and attitudes in themselves or others, rather than place all their focus on Jesus.
The problem with both temptations is that attention is taken off of Jesus and put on yourself. Our friend Ellen addresses both temptations in "Steps to Christ." Ellen clearly states: "By FAITH you became Christ's, and by faith you are to grow up in Him - by giving and taking. You are to GIVE all, - your heart, your will, your service, - give yourself to Him to obey all His requirements; and you must TAKE all, - Christ, the fullness of all blessings, to abide in your heart, to be your strength, your righteousness, your everlasting helper, - to give you power to obey" (47: 1977 edition, emphasis original).
For those who despair at all they have to do, Ellen repeatedly maintains that Jesus is both the Author and Finisher of your faith, and that Jesus is the first, last, and best part of your Christian life - that Jesus is with us "not only at the beginning and end of our course, but at every step of the way" (47).
For those who spend too much time looking at anything other than Jesus, Ellen reminds us that "Christ in His self-denial, Christ in His humiliation, Christ in His purity and holiness, Christ in His matchless love - this is the subject for the soul's contemplation" (48).
All of the activity Ellen describes only comes from Jesus doing those things and animating them in us (47-48); there isn't one piece of the Christian life we live by ourselves, period (46-47).
Friends, let's be honest: our religion is usually about us, and our hearts do not love Jesus supremely. So instead, why don't we ask Jesus to cause us to fall supremely in love with him?
(*) Steps to Christ, Chapter 8— Growing Up Into Christ, 1977 edition
God Bless.
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
