Who Is the Christ?

Many of you know by now that we are going to focus and dig deep into the life of Christ this year at Westside Community Church. The person of Christ has offered hope beyond belief for centuries to countless numbers of people. Yet, we also know that this same person, Christ Himself has brought venom, attacks and ridicule from masses of people throughout history since his ministry began. If you follow world wide Christianity you begin to sense just how pivotal to life your understanding of Christ really is. You see, in many countries, today people are killed because of their believe in Christ or, conversely, promoted because of their denial of His claim.

Closer to home this question, while it doesn't bring torture or martyrdom, does pose for us a dividing line of sorts as well. I know of families split over this question, as some members come to faith while others deny it. I know of marriages in tatters over this question as one spouse has responded to God's grace in Christ while the other vehemently opposes it. I know of relationships at work where if you stand up for your faith, you are pretty much assured that you will not advance. Yet, in each instance - even in the face of the persecution - the followers of Christ who truly know Him have great peace, joy and comfort. Yes, there is indeed a uniqueness about our Lord, this Jesus whom we call the Christ. It is this uniqueness that I intend to explore at Westside over the course of 2010!

So, who is Christ to you? To be honest with you, even if you have been in the church for some time, there is a pretty good chance that you don't really 'get' Him. Perhaps on some level you see Him as Savior, but that 'sight' alone carries with it implications that are simply not lived out by us with any consistency anymore. To see one as Savior is to see one as worthy of service, submission, and One whom we willingly obey! Following Christ in NOT a 'list' of things to do. Following Christ is a response to the mercies and grace of God. In Romans we are told that following Christ is our 'reasonable' act of worship. This statement occurs in Romans 12:1 - 2. Do you know why it is a 'reasonable' act of worship? Because in light of the tremendous grace and mercy we read of in Romans 1 - 12, how could we do anything but respond? In some senses, Paul is saying that when we really 'get' Jesus, then following Him is, well, it is logical - it simply makes sense!

I have shared from the pulpit in the congregation as well as in my Wednesday Morning Bible Study a picture, vision or word that God has given me that I am intent upon pursuing fully. The vision is one that I have stated in these terms:

• Christ IS NOT a proposition to prove, a program to purchase or a system to manage!
• Christ IS A relationship to be pursued and discovered, a person to be explored!

Unfortunately we in the church are accustomed to living in the first statement - that is where life is easy and manageable. Christ calls us into the second statement, full exploration of Him as who He claimed to be and then following Him because when we have truly pursued, explored and discovered Him, following simply becomes logical. Join me at Westside this year as we 'explore Christ' in 2010!

From His Grace, For His Glory

Biz