Wednesday, 02 February 2011
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In Jesus' Name: Trying to Share Christ Without Jesus
Sometimes the J word can be a little embarrassing to say. You know what I'm talking about. I'm vainly assuming you, too, have this picture of how people think Christians will act, and I rebel against it as hard as possible. The thing is, it's not their picture; it's mine. I assume they will expect me to bang on and on about Jesus and Church, so I try to surprise them -- and it's a risky game I play.
Let me give you an example. When I knew I was leaving my last job to work for the church, it prompted many discussions with people. Some, surprised that I even went to church, were intrigued. They'd say things like 'I didn't know you were religious!' I'd frown and attempt to explain that I was not religious, that Jesus spoke out against religion a heck of a lot, and that I just tried to do what the Bible said. Most people would then just repeat that they didn't know that I was religious.
It seemed that they would rather keep me in the comfortable category of religious than make a new one for this troublesome little God botherer. Or maybe I am again assuming that when they say I'm religious what they are actually saying is that they expect me to put on some tin foil armor, mount a horse and start a second but more brutally effective crusade. Whatever the reason, I assume that they think religion is bad, so I try to avoid being labeled it.
But what's worse than this stupid game I play, where I am the only one aware a game is being played, is my reluctance to talk about Jesus. I'll say everything but. They'll ask what my job entails or make a comment about how church is out of touch and I will say 'Yes, but church services are only tradition, they are only man made attempts to understand God. I'm not so bothered about that stuff, oh I enjoy it as much as the next Christian, but for me it's more about the way you live and the morals you adhere to.' Oh really? Please do go on, please tell us where you get this code oh font of all wisdom. And that's when I should be busting out Jesus. Except I rarely do. Or I rarely did as the newsagent found out yesterday. Betcha didn't see that coming when I walked in for my bottle of Pepsi and galaxy bubbles did you?
I excused this behavior by convincing myself that I was making them think, that they would be touched by my radical decision to give up career for God, except the only way they could follow this up is through me. In leaving out Jesus, I have made myself the savior. If only I had said that I was just trying to live like Jesus. Even that extra sentence would have made the world of difference. After all, that one name has already done just that.
Have you ever felt uncomfortable saying the name of Jesus? Have you tried to be a Christian example without Christ? Does it work?
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- From: EbsAndFlows
- Name: EbsAndFlows
- About Me: I run Ebs and Flows a Christian blog trying to be honest - http://nwelford.wordpress.com
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Comments (19)
When I was first coming to Christianity, I was pretty embarrassed about it... I would only say God, or the Holy Spirit. But then, slowly, I fell in love with Jesus. Once I was in love with him, I could use his name easily, in conversation and in personal and private prayer. He's a real person, just like any other, and his name is just that of a person. Sure, it invokes some pretty special powers, especially when casting out demons, but if that's not what you're doing... It's just a name.
@GettingClosertoFine@xanga - I agree with you. I felt embarrassed at first about using His name, until I fell in love with Him.
Omgosh, yes. I get super embarrassed about my religion, and it's sad but true. I have this automatic assumption that if I start talking about bible studies and Jesus and all then people will think that I'm one of the Bible-waving coming-to-save-you-all-from-hell versions of Christian. So, strangely enough, to avoid that image I just don't mention it at all, or get all flustered and shy when it's brought up. I'm ashamed that I'm embarrassed by my Christianity, but it's how I feel! >_O Ahh!
I don't think it's a good thing that you could work with people for an extended period of time and have them be surprised when they find out you go to church.
I think many young Christians, in their 20's and younger, try to rebel against the stereotype of a 'typical Christian.' Sometimes it's needed, but I think sometimes we're trying to rebel simply because we like to be different, not because of what it truly looks like to follow Christ. So many Christians participate in immoral behavior, fail to speak up when confronted with lies, and fail to share the love of Christ because we don't want to fit the stereotype. I've done it myself. I think sometimes we're so preoccupied with trying to be a "cool" Christian - someone that the world can relate too, that we fail to follow Christ at all.
I try to live my life by the teachings of Jesus, but I am not religious.
@Theophilus166@xanga - 'I don't think it's a good thing that you could work with people for an extended period of time and have them be surprised when they find out you go to church.'
Easy there fella! The majority of the people I worked with knew, but the fact I was leaving to work for a church gave me an opportunity to speak to the more casual colleagues based in different offices! I worked shifts so I didn't see the same people all the time!
Totally agree with your second paragraph though - been there done that. Tried to make the gospel normal but it isn't normal!
Mark 8:38: "For whoever is
ashamedof Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be
ashamedof him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
Let us not idolize the respect we would seek from others lest we parish in failing to tell others who we worship.
@DavetheKermodie - true, but I would argue that we can verbally share Jesus and still be ashamed. What does He prefer - that we keep quiet and work at our relationship with Him until it is the first in our life, or that we mention His name all the time out of duty and battling shame and embarrassment plus guilt for feeling like that?
@EbsAndFlows - If you want to wait till you feel comfortable saying the name of
Jesus in public its not going to happen, I've never heard of that in my
life. If you can find me a Biblical argument for that I would like to see it.
The most bold witnesses for Christ I know of are street preachers and I have never heard of one who does not have anxiety/fear about using the name of Jesus. Ray Comfort for example is a famous street preacher of our day who has witnessed by his account to over 1000 strangers on the street (not in the safety of a Church). Ray still is forced to his knees by the fear that grips him when he is about to share the Gospel with someone and prays that "he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him".
If Paul the apostle was comfortable in talking about Jesus why would he say in Eph 6:19 pray
on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my
mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
Paul is asking for prayer for boldness, why would he do that if he was not "battling shame and embarrassment".
Infact Paul spoke about being fearful of sharing the Gospel See 1 Cor2:3-4 "I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling,
4and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom....
Paul said he was "in fear and in much trembling" when he was going to share the Gospel.If Paul was not at ease with talking about Jesus then I have doubts for anyone else.
That is the "fear" that that people will suffer as a result of the thoughts in our heads that we will be viewed as religious fanatics, crazy, hypocrites ect. When we let that fear that Paul spoke of, that Ray Comfort has, or anyone has when we are about to say the name of Jesus, when we let that fear of being dis-respected over come us and we refuse to risk our self respect for Christ we are in fact ashamed of Him.
When you hide your relationship with Jesus you are saying I am too cool to let people know I am friends with Jesus, makes me think of high school all over again. Well Jesus is the least popular kid at school and we know it. Its time we stopped being afraid that all the "cool kids" won't like us.
Your a social outcast...embrace it for His Glory!
If a man like Paul who was obsessed with Jesus had fearful thoughts even though he had a pretty good relationship with Jesus than I suggest that working on the relationship is not the step to take. I would suggest you accept the fact that we are ashamed of Jesus at times and we need to repent of that and pray for Boldness.
Watch this video and it will give you some perspective about what it will take some people to share the Gospel and a sad comment on what it would take to make us less "ashamed":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2sc5ZnwZZ8
@DavetheKermodie -
'If you want to wait till you feel comfortable saying the name ofJesus in public its not going to happen, I've never heard of that in my
life. If you can find me a Biblical argument for that I would like to see it.'
In my reply I was just trying to point out that just speaking out and sharing the name of Jesus does not give an indication of whether that person is ashamed or not. I think there are people who speak it out but are ashamed at the same time. I would suggest a true measure would be the demonstration of the fruit of the Spirit in the whole of their life, not just public proclamation. I also 100% disagree with the comment I've quoted you on above. I have seen this in my own life, after trying various ways of forcing myself to share the gospel with people, to then working on my relationship with Jesus and letting it flow through that. Biblical argument? - Matthew 7:21-23 ' 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
For me the verse you quote from Corinthians is not about Paul being ashamed but about his attitude in how he approached the Corinthian Church, indeed the suggestion is that the teaching of Apollos had lead to them over valuing eloquence. Paul goes to demonstrate a different way, a fearful, humble way. It's a bit of a stretch to say he was uncomfortable with the name of Jesus.
Also you started off talking about being ashamed and then moved to talking about being comfortable doing it, two very different things.
I have attempted to write a piece that shows my battle with trying to be honest with others about my beliefs in a relevant way too them, and my conclusion was that I can't leave Jesus out. I don't think you mean too but you have come across quite judgementally by just throwing a verse in rather than engaging with the points in a sensitive way, this makes the points you are trying to make lose their edge and sometimes it's seems like you are splitting hairs.
Trust me I want to share Jesus, but I want to do it to win people for Him not put them off.
@EbsAndFlows - I asked you to find a Biblical argument that we will feel comfortable saying the name of Jesus in Public and you brought one about being a hypocrite, not about being comfortable. Its true that we can preach his name and on the inside be hypocrites. We should be practicing what we preach, and the verse you quoted from Matthew talks about that. Maybe we are splitting hairs here and getting in a debate about two different subjects. I was talking about being comfortable with speaking Jesus name in public, not about your words and relationship with Christ matching up. If I sound judgmental by throwing out a verse, I do that because what "I think" and what "you think" really doesn't matter in the end. If the Word of God says something that contradicts my ideas then I am wrong. If you have an idea that contradicts the Word of God then you are wrong. I judge what I say and what other Christians say by the Word of God and I suppose that is being judgmental. I appreciate the fact that God is working in your life and won't say you are wrong since I think we may have or wires crossed on this subject. I hope your new work in the Church brings you blessing and its great that you have made God a full time priority and left your old job for His Kingdom, I commend you for that!
@DavetheKermodie - sorry mate, I've reread my post and think I was a bit too hasty - apologies. As for the verse I got a bit confused and it was really backing up what I was saying about being ashamed. I agree with you about the Word, but I also think that we have to work gently with people, Jesus issued challenges but from spending time with people, in fact His harshest words were often reserved for the religious.
I would also question whether just throwing out scripture without gently teaching it is going to win people over for Christ or put their back up and confirm their stereotypes.
I agree that we should not have to wait for comfort until we share Christ, but for some people a little comfort helps. I want to be someone who encourages people to live fuller lives for Christ, not beats them down for their honesty. I hope this makes sense - I'm not crouchy today!
I think there's something to said about the reverse. While street preachers may not be hesitant to invoke the name of Jesus, I think they contribute to a common misconception that Christianity is impersonal and all about condemnation. I see way too many street preachers that either are all about condemning people (this is everything you are doing wrong - repent!) or else are all about love. It's a shotgun approach - just blast away and hope you hit someone that just happens to be in that right spot. And while they may get an occasional convert, it ignores the damage done to others who simply see this as proof of Christianity being something it's not.
The full experience of Christianity does require the understanding of your own sin, but also has a bright message and a way to live better, and Jesus is an essential part of that whole equation.
@poosywhistle@xanga - totally agree.
@DavetheKermodie - Also thinking on the cup thing, Jesus tells James and John that they will drink the same cup as He will, so it cannot mean just God's wrath as we know that Jesus was the only one who God turned His back on. The cup must illustrate death too.
@EbsAndFlows - Matt 20:22-23
22But Jesus answered and
23said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that
I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am
baptized with?”They said to Him, “We are able.”
So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with;but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but
it is for thosefor whom it is prepared by My Father.”
Jesus told James and John "You will indeed drink My cup" and the cup here refers to sufferings or persecutions. Jesus no doubt speaks about the sufferings James and John would endure although none of them were known in history to be crucified and shared the same type of death as Jesus. James was beheaded in Acts 12:2 and John, tortured and exiled to Patmos.
Paul wrote in 2Cor 1:5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.
So we can say that Jesus did say to John and James they would share in the suffering or persecution of Christ and just like any persecuted believer we can apply Paul's passage.
Jesus then in on the night he was betrayed Matt 26:39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."
Jesus then says "let this cup pass from Me".
All this talk of cups, do we assume they all mean the same thing? Jesus said "my cup" so lets assume for a second all the cups are the same thing. That would mean that James and John suffered as Christ had suffered? Physically they were martyred in different ways and in that way just as Paul talks about "sufferings of Christ are ours" that this "cup" of suffering is handed to all believers who have been "counted worthy to suffer".
However if the cup handed to Christ was for the sin of all men who put their faith in him and God's wrath was poured out on his Son so that God "would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Christ" then this cup Christ was handed is not the same as anyone else. I can't assume when Jesus said "this cup" on the night he was betrayed he was talking about the same cup of suffering that James and John or any other persecuted brother would get.
I think what makes sense is that we share in the physical sufferings of Christ and in that sense we get what Christ said "my cup" to James and John. However believers who suffer for the Lord are not given "this cup" that Christ talked about, the wrath of God and the turning away that we can not really start to understand what that is like.
Anyway, maybe we're splitting hairs. At least you've got me thinking about some good theological issues.
While we're on this topic people are sharing in the suffering of Christ today, go type "voice of the martyrs" in Youtube or go to www.persecution.com for brothers and sisters who are suffering at this time.
God bless and remember to pray for the persecuted Church that the world would take notice and see her suffer, see her led like and lamb to slaughter and come to Jesus!
Grace to you my brother!
@DavetheKermodie - 'At least you've got me thinking about some good theological issues.'
Right back atcha!
@GettingClosertoFine@xanga - `please remember that you, alone.. can Never cast out a demon. only the lamb has such power. You can be used by the holy spirt as an insterment in his awesome choir.
Ephesians 2:8-10
"By grace you have been saved through faith.
((( The call to conversion )))
And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
((( The call to service )))
which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them
((( The call to discipleship )))."
@illtry4jesus - Yes, I know. Hence why I didn't do it before I came to Christ, and now I do.