Dangerous Thoughts

I'm normally in bed by now, but I can't sleep so I'll share some thoughts.

I think it's very ironic that the ones who found Jesus most offensive were the religious folks, the scribes, pharisees, and saducees. The ones who found Him most appealing were the sinners.1 John 4:17 says, "As He [Jesus] is, so are we in this world." That implies to me that the life of a child of God should be strikingly similar to the ministry of Jesus. I'll let the implication speak for itself.

Jesus was also known for making very bold statements. Sometimes they were implicit in His actions. Forgiving sins is a great example. The pharisees couldn't stand the fact that He went around fogiving peoples' sins as if He was God. If that isn't enough, He then says that His disciples [of which I am one] have that same authority in John 20:23. Another example is when He said one must eat His flesh and drink His blood to have eternal life in John 6:53. This is a direct violation of Old Testament scripture [which is the only "bible" Jesus had]. According to the standards of His day, He is a heretic.

Here's another thought. In the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:4-7, Jesus expressed that "there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." He very clearly implied here that the "normal" Christian needs no repentance. That is a direct violation of the way most Christians think.

Here's a final thought. Can I legally say that I am the way, the truth, and the light? Your first reaction is probably that this statement is disgustingly prideful. How can I say such blesphemy? I think to say such a thing is to place great emphasis on what Jesus has done and Who He is in me. I certainly can't say such a thing of my own initiative, but I died. Christ is the One living through me. Christ is being formed within me. As He is, so am I in the world. If He said that to accept Him is to accept the Father, isn't the same true for me if I've died and Christ has taken over. Jesus was known for making bold statements that offended the religious right of His day. I don't think our goal should ever be to offend, but I think offending the rigid religious mindset is a natural effect of true Kingdom pursuit. My main point is that we must understand what it really means to have Christ, the Hope of glory, in us. I'm still learning. As He is, so are we in this world.

Here a final final thought. I believe there is no one but Jesus who could have paid the price for our atonement, but because of what He did, what He's doing, and in whom He's living, everything else He said and did [and is saying and doing] is fair game including John 14:6 and especially John 14:12 and John 20:23.