The subtle plan of the enemy is busyness. Being occupied with that which is keeping you from the real, true and purposeful activities.
We need to focus on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). He knows what we are and what we need and will therefore be able to lead us to success. With our eyes on Him we will turn our busyness into faithfulness.
It is so true that many Christians believe their lives to be Christ-centred when they only read the Bible and attend church regularly. Christ centeredness should be a lifestyle that centres around Christ, we should ultimately be like, and act like Christ.
I also believe that in order to be like Him we need to know Him. Knowing Christ is sometimes an effort but setting it as the goal of our lives will help us to become more Christ-centred. We must therefore be focused on building a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues (Mark 16:).
And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–he said to the man who was paralyzed–“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God
(Luke 5:18-25).
Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld (John 20:21-23).
And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen” (Matthew 21:21).
Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him (Mark 11:23).
By remaining a community of pray and fellowship, relying on one another and God will ensure a Christ-centred community.
I would like to ad though that “love” is a very important factor that some may neglect. Rob Bell said that how you love others is how you love God (2004). Jesus also said that we will be known as his disciples because of our love for one another (John 13:35, ESV). Jesus had a lot to say about “love” and the importance there of as seen in John 13:34-35, John 14:15-31, John 15:9-19 to mention only a few in the gospel of John.
Therefore Christ-centredness must be based on love for Jesus Christ’s words and works is based on love.
I totally believe that the leaders of the church needs to cultivate a culture of Christ-centredness. This will then permeate the congregation to be also Christ-centred. I am reminded of Psalm 133:
A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore (Psalms 133:1-3).
I believe that this blessing always runs down from the head, the leaders of the church, and down the beard and robe, towards everyone they lead. So also will the culture of Christ-centredness flow down towards everyone accepting their leadership. This is done through the teaching and preaching of the words and works of Jesus Christ.
Yes, church is “only” spiritual in nature… our strugggle is to connect with our humanity which is spirit, soul and body. It is then that we forget what church truly is and we shape it with so many laws that we get lost within it all.
We must allow the works and words of Jesus to teach us to be like Him; But first we must desire and ask Him to teach us through the Holy Spirit.
Works Cited
Bell R 2004. Nooma: Bullhorn. Grand Rapids: Flannel
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ©2001 Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Die Lewegewer 