The Question For Every Christ Follower

     It’s a question that punctures the inflated ego of anyone coasting on the status of being a Christ follower.  At the end of Jesus’ sermon on the mount, he confronts the people who know him best with a rather judgmental question.  It’s recorded in Luke 6:46.  “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord! when you don’t do what I say?”

     I’m not sure what Jesus was thinking when he uttered this sharp, rhetorical question.  He may have been teasing his listeners with just the right amount of humor and sarcasm - the brilliant teacher at work.  Perhaps he wanted them to share his bemusement at the apparent disconnect between their talk and walk.  Or maybe Jesus was genuinely frustrated by their inability to recognize that their own hypocrisy was leaving them defeated in life.

    Whatever was behind the question, the meaning was clear:  How can anyone expect the amazing blessings that flow to Christ followers without obedience to Christ’s teachings and commands?  Jesus’ question challenges us to go back to the Bible and investigate afresh the primary teachings of our Lord and Savior.

Friendship with God - Learning from Paul

     One of the authors of the New Testament writes about his friendship with God.  In his letter to the christians in the city of Philippi, Paul shares a startling admission:  For much of his life he’d believed that attaining spiritual perfection was the key to happiness.  Fortunately at some point in his personal journey, Paul’s whole perspective changed.   Listen to him talk about it in Philippians 3:7,8 (NLT): "I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done."

     Think about that statement.   Paul's referring to his pursuit of religious perfection, but it could equally be applied to a pursuit of wealth, fame, pleasure or power. He’s come to the conclusion that life can’t be defined or measured by ones possessions, or power, or even one’s ability at keeping all the religious rules.  All of those things had lost their appeal with this man. Something else now drives him.    In verse eight Paul shares what it is:  "Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ."

     For the apostle Paul, connecting with Jesus Christ on a personal level had become the most important experience in his life.  It’s where he found his purpose and his passion.  In fact, enjoying God  had become so important for this founding leader of the early church that he refers to every other endeavor as “garbage” by comparison.   How does your relationship with God stack up with all the other priorities in your life?

Friendship With God - Learning from Enoch

     The Bible teaches that all people, regardless of age, race, or religion, were wired to have a friendship with God.  Early in the Biblical record we’re introduced to someone who embraced this idea, even though the people around him wanted nothing to do with their creator. His name was Enoch. 

     Here's a description of this remarkable man from Genesis 5:21-24 (NLT):  "When Enoch was 65 years old, his son Methuselah was born.  ²²…Enoch lived another 300 years in close fellowship with God, and he had other sons and daughters. ²³Enoch lived 365 years in all.  ²⁴He enjoyed a close relationship with God throughout his life.  Then suddenly he disappeared because God took him. 

     Enoch was just as busy as the next guy, juggling the pressures of work and a large family.  But somehow he developed such an intimate friendship with his heavenly Father that God wanted him by his side in heaven.  I suspect Enoch became a sort of ambassador for the human race until our ultimate representative, Jesus Christ, was resurrected from the dead thousands of years later.

     Life is not complete, it is not as good as it gets, until we are enjoying a personal relationship with our creator.  It all starts with a personal invitation for him to become Lord and Saviour.   Have you given Jesus that invitation yet?  If not, I encourage you to open your heart today to someone who cares for you more than you can imagine.