Don’t Miss Him!

Here is the most basic question for all who profess the Christian faith: What makes a Christian a Christian? Is it the Christian religion or is it Christ?

Of course, many of us would answer with assurance, “It is Christ!” Many in Christendom, denominational or non-denominational or interdenominational, would also profess the same … it is Christ, it is all about Him.

This is true. Our faith and trust is in a Person, our sure Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, not in a religion. The issue is, however, do we sometimes forget that and totally miss it? Do we miss Him? Christian, if we do lose sight of our Lord, in a way, it is but a religion we are living out in our daily lives.

The exhortation here then is, “Don’t Miss Him!” When we (born-again believers) miss the Lord, when we forget that we are following a risen, very much alive Savior, how are we different from the next person who is just performing his or her religious duties, traditions or rituals?

There is a major difference, of course, and that is the fact that we have the Spirit of Christ within us. We have gone from being unregenerate to regenerate; we are new creatures in the sight of God by the power of God. However, there would be no difference in that we would just be going through the motions of religion.

Someone may ask, “But my church is not very traditional or ritualistic in its practices. How could I just be going through the motions of religion?” My answer to that would be, “Did you know that you could be doing everything “Christian” and still miss Christ?”

Think on this for a moment: How awful is it for those who miss Him altogether? How terrible is it for those whose religion has taken precedence over the Lord in his or her life? What will be their end?

In addressing the religious leaders in Jerusalem during His time on earth, Jesus said these words: “…how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” (Matthew 23:37b-38)

Religious people can even be in the Scriptures and make a claim of embracing its truths, but still totally miss Christ: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)

Anyone who has put their lifetime hope and trust in their religion, instead of the Lord, will have this end: dying in their sins, facing judgment before a holy God, and end up spending eternity in hell.

What’s my point in sharing all this? Basically, the world needs to see that we are following a risen Lord, not a religion. Let us, who do have the Spirit of Christ, never lose sight of Jesus. Let us never miss Him!

As we follow Him, not just going through the motions of Christianity, we will be known to the world as those who “had been with Jesus,” just as Peter and John were. (Acts 4:13)

So what makes a Christian? Jesus Christ. It is Him alone. He created us – He drew us to Himself – He forgave us – He redeemed us – He gave us new life – He justified us – He reconciled us to God – He sanctifies us – He will glorify us – and He will come back for us one day.

In conclusion, may we not only say these next words, but believe them and live them out, as Paul the Apostle did: “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” (Philippians 3:8)

Once again, I say, “Don’t miss Him!”

The world desperately needs to see Him! Its only hope can be built upon nothing less than Jesus … His blood & righteousness.

One Clay Soldier among many