How Important Is Jesus?

The title I've used for today may seem a bit odd, but bear with me. As a matter of fact, bear with me while I ask the whole question I want to address today; "How important is Jesus to Christians?"

Wow! Even as I type it, it sounds like a question that should not even be asked. But wait a moment before you judge me too harshly for asking it.

I've been reading, studying, preparing for our International Missions Study here at the Church this Sunday night. And one thing has become clear; resources for missions are getting harder and harder to come by.

And that prompts my question, "How important is Jesus to Christians?" On the face of it, the answer is easy. Jesus is central, highly important, even indispensable to Christians. Why, without Jesus, there would be no Christians or Christianity!

But, how important is He really? How many Christians adapt their lives to what God has taught us is to be true in the life of one who has been washed in the blood of Jesus? How often do Christians truly sacrifice for the cause of Christ anymore? When is the last time you suffered to enable God's work to go on?

Most people today seem to want to be saved from the sentence of Hell, that is, separation from God for all eternity, but don't seem to want to be saved to the point of living lives of total surrender and sacrifice for His Name's sake.

For example, in difficult economic times, Christians pull back on their giving to their local church, to special causes like the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for Foreign Missions, and other areas that need financial support to continue the work of God.

Isn't it a test of our faith to surrender what we have and give, even sacrificially, in difficult times? Doesn't it mean more to God when we continue to give in lean times, depending on Him to care for our needs and obligations than to give generously only when times are good and we have plenty from which to give?

I remind you of the widow's mite which meant more to Jesus because she had given all she had out of her poverty than the gift of many dollars given by one who had many and more to give.

So, how important is Jesus to us as Christians? Important enough to surrender and sacrifice and trust Him? Or only important enough to trust when times are good and trust is easy because of what we have rather than who we know?

Just thought you'd like to think about it.

Please pray for revival. Holy Ghost given, ground shaking, Christian awakening revival for our church, our community and our nation. We are going to die without it. Please pray.

In His Love
Walter