I am a product of growing up in a spiritual
environment. Not too many days after I
was born, I was taken to my first worship gathering. Forty-eight years later, I am still attending
them.
Throughout my younger life, I have heard countless sermons
on “What Must I Do To Be Saved” or “The five-steps to Salvation” or “If You
Died Today, Where Would You Spend Eternity?”
The sermons were aimed at getting a person “right with God.” However, as I look back, what I have
discovered is that while the intentions were right, the methods were more
systematic steps rather than a relationship process.
Look carefully at Matthew
28:19, “…Go and make disciples of all the
nations….”(NLT) Jesus’ command to his disciples was to help others see that
becoming a disciple of Jesus was to learn the ways of Jesus
so that they can learn to live like Jesus.
So, in order to live like Jesus, one would have to get to know how Jesus
lived. The life of Jesus is told in
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Each of
these men tell Jesus’ story in their own unique way. One may add more to the story, while another
may not share anything that the other three may have shared. Nevertheless, we get a glimpse into the life
of Jesus and how he conducted himself, responded to critics, helped the poor,
fed the hungry, healed the sick, told the truth, kept his promises, gave grace
and forgiveness to the sinners, loved the untouchables, and showed mercy to the
hard-to-get-along-with-religious elitist.
Teaching a five step plan of salvation
may get someone to say yes to the need to make a change in the moment. However, teach someone the details of Jesus’
life and how he impacted tens of thousands will change someone’s life
forever.
It may be possible that the reason
Christianity isn’t thriving as strongly today is because the “go make
disciples” hasn’t been at the forefront leading people to Jesus. On one end we tell people to “hear, believe, repent,
confess and be baptized” and on the other end, we tell people to “just accept
Jesus in your heart and you will be saved.”
Where is the balance? When is the
teaching about Jesus ever taught? Is it
possible that Scripture has been piece-milled to fit one’s particular
theological denomination that we’ve lost sight of teaching what the journey to
salvation really is all about? In order
to truly lead people on a journey to salvation, one must know who Jesus is and
how he lived. 1st John 2:6 says, “Those
who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” (NLT)
How did Jesus live?
According to Matthew 1:21, Jesus lived to save people. “And you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people
from their sins.” (NLT) We disciple
everyone to Jesus, so that salvation can take place. Acts
4:12 says, “Neither is there salvation in any other….” (KJV)
Jesus lived to serve. Jesus said in Matthew 20:28, “For even the Son of Man came not to be
served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus lived as a seeker to save all of
us who are lost. Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man
came to seek and to save the lost.”
The list is endless on how Jesus lived
out his life. If each of us will see
clearly that it is in Christ that we are saved, then the journey takes on a
whole new relationship because we value following the Jesus life.
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Have you accepted Jesus, but not fully
engaged him? Have you been baptized, but
have not fully committed your life to living Jesus? Would you like to know more about Jesus and
how to travel the journey to salvation?
Call me at 836-2874 or email me at thegreatestcommandislove@gmail.com. I would love to
share with you and to walk the Jesus walk with you.
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian McCutchen
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