Stop Living for Jesus

Recently, I have come to the realization that I have had something backwards. I have found myself guilty of uttering a phrase so subtly wrong, so "almost-right," that I didn't notice it. But I can't do that anymore. 

You see, I've told people to "Go out and live for Jesus." That's wrong. I can't do it anymore. I repent.

"Live for Jesus." "You may be the only Bible people ever read." "Go out and be Jesus to people."

It's subtle, but it's wrong. And I'm sick of it. I hope you'll forgive me.

Why is it wrong? Because the phrase itself implies that I have the ability to live a righteous life. It gives the connotation that I can actually change a person's heart by my lifestyle. Sure, I wrap it up in "Christianese," but it's simply good old-fashioned moralism.

Truth be told, a majority of Christian preaching and teaching is simply moralism in disguise. It is. You may disagree, but it's true. We spend a whole lot of time telling people to be good and be "like Jesus." We even throw in a comment about "our witness." Something along the lines of "You don't want to ruin your witness." "People are watching you."

Or, my personal favorite, "After all that Jesus did for you, how can you not live for him?"

Here's the honest truth. You're not good enough to get someone to turn from their sin. You're not holy enough to fill the shoes of the Holy One. You're not a Bible. You're a screwed-up, messed up sinner.

This... should actually be comforting. You see, I'm taking some pressure off of you.

The fate of eternity doesn't hinge on whether someone hears you say a four-letter-word when you hit your thumb with a hammer. Christendom won't collapse because you didn't boycott the latest restaurant or share that "Share if you love Jesus" Facebook status.

It's not about you. Quit acting like it is.

What's it about?

Check out Galatians 2:19-20 - 

For through the law I have died to the law, so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Do you see the difference? Christ lives in me. Say it with me. Christ lives in me. It's a subtle difference, but it's a big one. It's not you "living for Jesus." It's Christ living in you. That's the truth. And when you realize the difference, you'll realize it's not about your performance. It's actually about His.

It was about His performance when He died for you. It was about His performance when He lived the sinless life that you couldn't live. It was about His performance when you trusted Him to save you. You made it a matter of grace then, so why now are you trying to live by works? Hmm, I think Paul asked this very question in Galatians 3:3. Go read it and come back. I'll wait.

You see, Christ living in you makes all the difference. Christ living in you acknowledges that it's still about Him. He's the one who promised to grow you (Philippians 1:6). He's the one who promised to never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). It's about Him.

You're job is to abide in Jesus (John 15). To stick close to Him. To rest in His finished work and allow Him to do what He already promised to do - glorify Himself if you look to Him. That's where obedience is found. It's where "being a witness" is found.

So stop living for Jesus. Hasn't worked, has it? Change your perspective. Let Jesus do the work. Let Him live through you.

Do as Paul said... "live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Some of you are still a little afraid God doesn't approve of you. You walk on spiritual egg shells. Stop it. Live by faith in Jesus, that He loves you unconditionally and forgave you completely. You know... do what the verse says to do. It's been there for quite a while.