Vetrean Pastor, Life time Learner, Problem Solver, Servant-Leader and Motivational Speaker.

Christ the Center « The Centrality and Supremacy of Jesus Christ

Well, I must say I am finding that “yoke” much easier than before. But, could I be oversimplifying things and reducing the Gospel message? (I smile with a faint chuckle) What else is there but Jesus? Very confidently I reply, “Nothing of any worth.”

Let us press on in the journey of experiencing the depths and riches of Christ Jesus our Lord. No other purpose will satisfy the heart of God or our own groaning for a savior. May we give up our Christ-less “Bible studies” and our foolish church practices that not only hinder, but replace our Center.

Through the power of his resurrection we may break free from religion’s chains and discover a truly Christ-centered faith.

Suggested Reading:

“The Centrality and Supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ” by T. Austin-Sparks
“Christ: The Sum of All Spiritual Things” by Watchman Nee
“The Secret of the Strength” by Peter Hoover
“The School of Christ” by T. Austin-Sparks
“Extreme Righteousness: Seeing Ourselves in the Pharisees” by Tom Hovestol
“Christ the Center” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“The Normal Christian Life” by Watchman Nee
“Bethany: The Lord’s Heart for His Church” by Frank Viola

via daviddflowers.com

9 Reasons Not To “Ask Jesus Into Your Heart” — SojournKids

Of course, there is no way to guarantee that an early acceptance of the gospel will stick, and parents should not feel defeated when their adolescents question or even rebel against what they have been taught from a young age.  However, we can be careful to avoid language that would give our children a false understanding of the gospel or a false impression about their own condition.  If you’ve grown up in church setting, you have probably heard the phrase “ask Jesus into your heart” a thousand times—at evangelistic meetings or at the end of impassioned sermons.  Perhaps you have seen it modeled as part of a gospel presentation.  I have come to believe that the phrase “ask Jesus into your heart” can be dangerous way of calling someone to faith.  Here are a few reasons why:

1. This kind of figurative language is not appropriate for most children. Little children think literally, and they can be confused (or even frightened) at the prospect of asking Jesus into their heart.  Does Jesus reside in my blood-pumping organ?  Does he live in the upper or lower ventricle?

2.  Salvation does not result from our asking but from what Jesus has done. We must encourage children to look away from themselves to Jesus Christ. Jesus took the punishment for our sin by bearing the punishment we deserve to the cross (Galatians 3:13).  He makes us right with God because he lives to speak to the Father on our behalf (Romans 4:25; 1 John 2:1).  His doing is the only thing worth trusting, because it alone saves.

3.  The gospel is NOT primarily about Jesus’ work in our heart but about Jesus’ work in history. When speaking about the gospel to children, our temptation is to focus on the child’s inner condition—their personal struggles with sin and obedience.  Language like “asking Jesus into your heart” tempts children to see the gospel more as what God is doing in me now, rather than what God did for me then.  While it is a Biblical truth that Christ is present with the Christian by his Spirit (Colossians 1:27; Ephesians 3:17), the work in our hearts is secondary.  When talking to a child about the gospel, you must put your emphasis on the gospel as an historical fact.

4.  The gospel appeals to more than our emotions. The phrase “ask Jesus into your heart” comes from a movement in the church called revivalism.  This movement was very adept at reaching people on an emotional level, but our personal faith is more than an emotion.  While it is not wrong for faith to move us on an emotional level, it is not as right as it could be.  Salvation is not just saying yes to a relationship with Jesus.  Rather, it is finally resting in Christ.  It is trusting that God is true and faithful, and he has fulfilled his promises to save humanity in Jesus Christ.

5.  Over-emphasizing a change of heart can actually discourage a child. If we teach children only about the personal change that God does in hearts then we may inadvertently discourage them.  When these children become aware of their sins, they may become introspective and worry, “How can Jesus live in my heart when I still get so angry?”  Once again, children must be taught to look outside of themselves to the love and forgiveness that comes because of Christ’s death and resurrection (Galatians 2:20). As Octavius Winslow says, “One simple believing [look at] Christ will produce more light and peace and joy than a lifetime of looking within ourselves for evidences and signs of grace.”

6.  The phrase “ask Jesus into your heart” is neither commanded in the Scriptures nor found as a description of conversion. Some may say, “But what about Revelation 3:20?”  Many quote th

via sojournkids.com