[Biblemat] A> Which Jesus Do You Follow? [2]

[Steven C. Harper]

From: TRUTH & REASON, a bulletin of the Glendale church of Christ, Glendale, AZ. 
Editor: Steven Harper 
November 4, 2007
Which Jesus Do You Follow? [2]

 

     Last week, we looked at a 'Jesus' or two that many in the religious world love to follow, but noted that each did not match with the real Jesus - the one found within the written word of God, the Bible. As sad as it is, the "Jesus" that many follow is not the one that died for their sins and is not the one who will save them; it is a "Jesus" of their own invention who only says what they like to hear and would never condemn anything they did or ever wanted to do. This self-deception is cloaked in a desire of religiosity that gives them a comfortable feeling that they are "following Jesus" and "right" in the sight of God but, in all reality, does nothing to get them even one step closer to God and eternal life. One of our enemy's greatest weapons is the deception that gets many to believe they are safe when they are actually headed down the path to eternal destruction. One of those deceptions is a false "Jesus" that never condemns anyone or who says we should "just love one another," but there are other deceptions about Jesus, too. So, I must again ask you - the reader - Which Jesus do you follow? Is He:

    The One Who Says Is Doesn't Matter What You Believe? This "Jesus" is also very popular in our modern society; in fact, He is most popular among religious people who claim to be His followers! If you listen to the message preached in this country's churches who claim to be "part of" His church, you won't necessarily hear this "Jesus" being preached, but once you start asking questions about their doctrines and practices, all of a sudden a different "Jesus" comes to light and the proponents of error now start promoting a different "Jesus" than the one they preached in the pulpit!

    You see, this is the "Jesus" that the denominationalists and false teachers want us to believe because it gives them a cover for what they are teaching and practicing when they are unable to do so with Scripture. In the pulpits, they can teach the Jesus of the Bible [up to a point; they will not teach His words which contradict their own beliefs and practices] because everyone present in the auditorium has a favorable attitude toward God and His word; but when someone questions something they said or something they practice and they ask for the Scripture that authorizes it, all of sudden their "Jesus" transforms into someone who suddenly doesn't care what anyone believes and these men appear offended that anyone would question them!

    The sad part about this deception is that many of the men who teach this "Jesus" teach a lot of truth - even a lot of the truth about the real Jesus - but just not the whole truth. They are glad to talk about the great sacrifice of Jesus for our sins, the love and mercy and grace of God, and even the need to resist sin, but if their false teachings are exposed as false and their practices challenged as something without authority, then their "Jesus" becomes a different "Jesus" altogether. Now, their "Jesus" chastises their critics as "unloving" and "factious" because they have challenged someone to show from Scripture that this is actually authorized by the Jesus of the Bible. Those who believe this "Jesus" will condemn those who criticize them [apparently, they follow a paradoxical "Jesus" who condemns only those who condemn error (?)] and then change their attitude towards the Bible and they begin speaking of a "Jesus" who welcomes any and all beliefs and practices and they tell us, "It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you're sincere."

    Let's take this last statement and see how "logical" it is, shall we?

    If it doesn't matter what we believe, then please explain to me why Christ died? If this "Jesus" is the same one of the Bible, why did He die? What would be the purpose? I could claim to believe there is no God; is that just as good as belief in God? "Of course not!" they will say. "You must believe in God." Okay, well what if I claim to believe that Jesus was a fraud? "Oh, no!" they will say. "You must believe in Jesus." Okay, well what if the Jesus I believe is a fraud? "Oh no!" they say. "You must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God." Okay, well what if I believe that Jesus is the Christ, but I believe He approves of homosexuality, adultery, drunkenness, and various other sins? "Oh no" they say. "You must believe in the Jesus of the Bible who teaches we must live free from sin and live a life of holiness." Okay, well what if I believe in a Jesus who condemned error (Matt. 22:29ff), who said there was only one church (His, Matt. 16:18), who teaches the necessity of belief and baptism for salvation (Mark 16:16), and who commanded His disciples to teach others the necessity of observing all things He had commanded (Matt. 28:20)?

    Silence.

    You see, that is the Jesus of the Bible - and for that Jesus, they have no answer. The "Jesus" they want us to believe is the one who will never condemn the things they want to believe and practice. They love the Jesus of the Bible only up to the point where His words condemn their deeds and words. Again, this is a "Jesus" of their own invention - not the real Jesus!

    But maybe this is not the "Jesus" you follow. Is the "Jesus" you follow:

    The One Who Teaches Everyone Will Be Saved, In The End? The way this "Jesus" is proclaimed will be subtle; this "Jesus" will not be taught openly, but it is a "Jesus" that is part of official church doctrine and he becomes very popular when our loved ones have passed on from this life. Some may teach publicly that all men must believe that Jesus is the Christ, but back of off of such a "strong" stand when confronted personally or privately by those of other religions, those who do not believe in God or Jesus at all, or those who might dare question their doctrines and practices. In such circumstances, their "Jesus" loses all authority, condemns no one, and apparently would never call anything "sin" or "error."

    Yes, this "Jesus" is part of the official church doctrine - at least part of the official Roman Catholic Church doctrine. This is not something you will hear promoted heavily [except around this time of year, when one of their priests is questioned on national television about the status of the Islamists], but it is official church doctrine nonetheless. According to the Catechism, "The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place among whom are the Muslims." [Catechism, para. 841, pp. 242-243.] While other denominations do not have such an idea embedded within official church doctrine, it is promoted occasionally when their leaders cannot find the courage to condemn error or when they are unable to defend their own beliefs and practices.

    Sadly, this "Jesus" is taught most often at the funerals of people who have never expressed faith in God or Christ - and often by men who should know better. It is spoken as a means of comforting the loved ones who remain, seeking to not offend or cause any more grief than what they already are suffering.

    While I can sympathize with the great sadness of losing a loved one, I do no one any favors by giving them a false comfort; I must continue to teach the Jesus of the Bible if I am to ever lead one to the truth and the salvation it brings. Jesus said we must believe the gospel or we will be condemned (Mark 16:16); He said we must believe He is God or we will die in our sins (John 8:24); He said we must repent or we will perish (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30); and He said we must be born again or we cannot enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:5).

    So, which Jesus do you follow? If it is salvation and forgiveness you seek, follow the Jesus of the Bible.         -- Steven Harper
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