There are several deep problems with this
theology (see
Being a Christian 01-21-16). One, Jesus is used as the manipulating “tool”
for God’s acceptance. Two, Christian living degenerates into simply doing whatever
is necessary to secure God’s acceptance and God’s gifts (namely, salvation and
eternal life); Jesus is simply the tool to that end. Three, both views lead to
a very self-centered way of living. It is all about us and getting “right” with
God. That is the highest priority in life, which leaves the rest of life’s
issues and needs to a secondary concern at best.
This is the way many people see Christianity. Is
it surprising that they are negative about the Christian faith? They see it as
abdicating both personal and social responsibility and thus being inauthentic,
irrelevant and even detrimental to effective living in our contemporary
context.
But is this an accurate picture of what it means
to be a genuine follower of Jesus? Is this what the way of Jesus is all about,
or is it an unfortunate distortion created by well-meaning but misguided
Christians? What does it really mean to be a true Christian? Let’s allow Jesus
Himself to answer that question. Continued….
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