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Posted by chevas | Leave a comment at the end of this post.Okay, you can nerf Jesus, but OMG what are you doing?!
I can’t do life. I’m not immune to the realities of life, so when life’s crap rains down (because it rains on everyone), I could really use some help. This is why I choose Jesus. I know I should pray, but I don’t pray enough. I know I should love my neighbor and help those around me, but I don’t enough. I know I should be kind, generous, aware, working hard, fight enough for justice etc., etc., but my own mind testifies against me constantly: “You know you should do more, you know this doesn’t feel like it’s enough”, so we say “good enough.”
I dunno, but I don’t think God is the type to say “well you did good enough, come on into Heaven.” You either did it, or you didn’t (”For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23). I think those of us who are honest with ourselves would admit: “EPIC FAIL.” I rarely meet anyone who says “I have it altogether” and who never doubts their life performance. If I do meet someone of the kind, there’s invariably something “off” about this person and they clearly don’t see their humanity. You may excel in work, but what about relationships? Or vice versa? Or what if you just suck really bad? (God has a special place in his heart for types like you: like Moses, yes he sucked at life all around until he met God).
God knows all of this….durrrrr, He’s God, so I believe he sent Jesus to handle the shortcomings of what I just described. Instead of having to achieve XYZ, or meet quota ABC, or do enough to get to Heaven, you can just commit yourself to Him and He will handle the rest. When I say “commit yourself” that doesn’t imply slacking off like a freeloader, it just means you commit going towards Him, you commit yourself to be ruled by His Spirit. It implies walking a path or direction. You might be going slow, you might trip and fall, you might get tired, there are people way ahead of you, there are people behind you, but you are still going a certain direction. The path leads to Heaven, but you’d never make it on your own. Our enterprising minds would rather choose: ”if I just do some basics, that will be good”. This algorithm of living is easier to accept. If we reason that we only have to do the basics, that’s a whole lot easier than dedicating our lives to a certain direction. Doing the basics and calling it good is not flawless and I won’t allow myself to be deceived. By committing ourselves to Him, we become His, we are made heirs with Christ, we inherit his perfection. “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” (Philippians 3:12).
So, when Jesus gets nerfed in speech, teaching, writing, etc, the true expanse of His power is hidden…and it frustrates me. If Jesus gets nerfed, then it puts the burden of meeting the quota and the achievements to be accepted on me. Perfection is unrealistic. When I read something in the Bible I’m unwilling to do or I feel like God himself has asked me to do things I often resist them because they are difficult challenges or I’m downright unwilling to do them. I know most of you can identify with me, Christians or not. How many of you want to lose weight, but just won’t do it? How many of you would like to be bold, courageous, etc, but are afraid to actually try being that way?
I’ve prayed “change my heart,” “help me,” “I can’t do this”, and have literally walked away from prayer saying to myself “I’m not going to care about doing what I should do because I know I won’t do it”. Then in time I’ve seen growth and stretching into these areas of life I’d never thought I’d reach. I hate white-knuckling myself into these things. I’ve tried that before. Neither my heart or desire is into it and soon enough I quit because it’s only an example of short-term discipline versus real change. So again, it really bothers me when Jesus gets nerfed. Examples of how Jesus frequently gets nerfed:
- “Jesus is not God (fully divine)” - If He’s not God, then He’s not perfect, and He’s no help to me or you. Some sects say “He’s only the Son of God, not God”. Why believe in a “Son of God” who is not God? I learn from the Master of Life, not a “n00b of life”, or the “I kind of mastered life” person, or the “I mastered life better than all of you” man. What an “asshole Jesus” the latter is. I’d rather Him be God, then at least we’d have good reason to trust in Him and believe in Him.
- “Jesus was just a Good Teacher, Prophet, etc” - See above! Then you’re calling Jesus a liar or a crazy man because Jesus himself said he was God. Why do you trust anything a liar or a crazy man says?
- “There are many paths to God, Heaven, salvation, etc” - Then is Jesus necessary? Guess not if this is true. If He’s not necessary, then His power is not that big of a deal. Other religious leaders’ powers are of equal or greater nature and can make us perfect to reach Heaven and can perfectly judge the earth to make all things right…You either are God, or you’re not.
- “Jesus did not exist” - Srsly? The evidence is overhwelming that He was historical at the very least.
If you nerf Jesus, then He’s just not worthy to be savior or of any help. Christianity is an all or nothing reservation of the heart, but thankfully it isn’t a call for us to be perfect while on this earth. I believe He’s everything he says He is and I’m forever thankful.
If you have any comments, please leave them on this post, thanks!
I have recently felt very charged about this very subject. I have noticed a lot of “Christians” nerfing Jesus by forgetting his teachings in their vehemence to declare their loyalty to him. For instance, there are myriad youtube videos depicting people burning, shooting, cutting or using some other method to destroy the Qu’Ran. They are so caught up in the sportsmanship ideal of us versus them that they forget that Jesus taught compassion and understanding. Love thy neighbor as thyself, I think, is the most important lesson we can learn from Jesus… and in trying to practice this mantra, you can avoid “nerfing” him.
To tell you the truth son, I have to read it again. I was moved on from the first read: now I will do more critical read and provide you more constructive feedback. There are 10 different inaugural balls going on for Obama. My heart thinks of the number of Balls that were held in Heaven when Jesus arrived after 3 days of kicking Satan’s ass. I am so sad that people do not meditate on that. “What’s going on?” is sad sad statement from the President elect stepping on the stage. I am not proud. However, I remind myself that “Yes, we can is full of BS,” and I am now Canadian. God help America. I have decided that Christmas should be about the defeat of sin rather than the birth of a baby in “swaddling clothes.” More later.
Hey Dad, thanks for your thoughts. It’s interesting you bring up the point regarding Obama. Most of my friends here are so super happy about his inauguration it makes me wonder how much he’s being regarded as a “savior”. I’m more in the camp of “let’s see what happens” before I get too up or down about him being president. I think a lot of people are going to be disappointed when they discover he’s just another man, he is no savior.
I thought it was interesting one of the comments brought up President Obama….
It’s concerned me that a lot of the rhetoric regarding him and his campaign and his ultimate victory have been steeped in the language of
spirituality. I’ve heard encounters with him described as transcendent. Chris Matthews said he got a thrill up his leg not once but twice hearing him speak. Very few people remember he first said that when Obama spoke at the convention and then said it AGAIN in ‘08. I remember hearing a woman on NPR cry because Obama shook her hand. She was so moved by his touch. I’ve my doubts that he is the anti-christ in dwelled by Satan himself but we’re definitely in an odd place when people talk about a politician as if he is a messianic figure of some sort rather than a politician who talks a good game and who isn’t above politics as usual.
I think political power can also “nerf” Jesus for people in the church who are hell bent on waging and winning the so called culture war. They can get so focused on getting “righteous” people in office and passing legislation they believe God wants that they forget about the fact that legislation does very little if anything to transform the human heart.
Just my two slips of latnum on what was said..
Hey Paul, thanks for your comments. Your comments only support my concern about how people think he’s some kind of savior.
I too have concern over the “culture war” that many Christians are waging. I completely agree with you in that legislation cannot change a person’s heart. I haven’t yet sorted out my thoughts, but there’s a brewing blog post at some point regarding this subject.
Hey Chevas, i enjoyed your article and have to give you a big AMEN on it. There will be no REVOLUTION in politics, the world, poverty, what have you until Jesus comes back to rule on the earth. The truth is, he is the ONLY one who can bring about true revolution. No one man can do this. We have to quit trying to fight losing battles ie…..abortion, gay marraige, whatever the right is trying to push, we CANNOT continue to try to rule politically. It will never work. We have to remember that WE cannot ever try to do good. No one is good but the Father, as Jesus himself said. We have however been SET FREE by his blood, and therefore are FREE. Free to love, free to make the right choices, free NOT to sin…..i am rambling now, hopefully this makes sense.
Eve, I love your passion!