I was recently re-reading, "I became a Christian and all I got was this lousy t-shirt," by Vince Antonucci. It is a book that I read a few years ago, but as a baby Christian it didn't mean much. This time around, WOW! Absolutely amazing!
So, the title of this post is actually an idea for a bumper sticker that Vince has in the book. (pg 31)
After he drops the, "Stop Having a Relationship with Jesus" bomb, he goes on to say:
"I have a relationship with a guy named Kevin. We met in a small group I was leading and instantly hit it off. We started playing pool, watching sports together, and serving side-by-side. Eventually we became best friends. I have a great relationship with Kevin. But Kevin moved away three years ago. Since then I only talk to him once or twice a month.
I wish he lived closer. It'd be nice if I could see him more. I miss him.
But I am fine without him. Not having him around hasn't dramatically impacted me for the worse. It certainly hasn't ruined my life.
Why not?
Because we have a relationship. It's a great relationship, but it's just a relationship." (pg 31)How often does our interaction with Jesus look like this relationship? I know it happens for me way more often than I would like to admit. I get busy, take a few days off from reading my Bible. Yes, I miss Jesus. Yes, I wish we could be closer. But I can live without him. After all, it is just a relationship.
Is that really what we are called to have with Jesus? I think not. In John 15:4-8 it says:
The KJV says "Abide in me, and I in you." We are called to live in Jesus, and to have Jesus live in us.4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (NIV)
That is so much more than just a relationship.
When we abide in Christ, not only to we get the joy of producing good fruit, we are saved from the fire, we are blessed, and we radiate the glow of God!
Whew! I need to take a moment to regather my thoughts. Writing that and reading it again to myself felt really amazing!
Vince has an excellent image for comparison in his book. He is describing the interview of a child in their mother's womb. (He's a little goofy! But it works!) It reads like this,
"What if you could somehow interview a baby inside his mother's womb? And let's say you asked the baby, "Do you have a relationship with your mother?"
I think the baby would give you a really weird look...
... The baby would say, "Could you repeat that?"
... So you ask again, "I said, do you have a relationship with your mother?"
The baby would give you another weird look and answer, "That's what I thought you said, but I can't believe you would even ask that. How do I answer? I mean yes, we do have a relationship, but c'mon it's way beyond that. I mean, I live inside of her. I can't live without her. I am totally dependent on her for everything that keeps me alive. I can't do anything without her. So yes, I guess we have a relationship, but that's a colossal understatement.'"(pg33)As I move forth from this book, and this post, I pray that I will focus more on abiding or remaining in Christ, and allowing him to abide and remain in me. I don't just want a relationship. I want so much more! I don't want to be a vine that the Father will prune. I want to produce good fruit, and lots of it, for my God!
Lord, please give us the desire to have more than just a relationship with you. Give us a hunger to abide in you, as you abide in us. Help us to be completely dependent on you for life. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
