“accepting Jesus”, the gospel or humanism

I went to visit a church last week. They had an international missionary speaking. The service included a video while the missionary spoke of the things God is doing through her ministry in other nations.

It was an impressive presentation with pictures of people living in terrible conditions and afflicted with demons and diseases. Exciting accounts of the missionary and her team praying and people being healed and delivered.  Accounts of many people “accepting Jesus”.

Let me preface by saying I do believe Jesus loves us and wants to help us. I believe He does heal and deliver yet today. However, I came away empty. I came away very confused. Is that the gospel?

Then “reasoning” kicked in. What makes me think I have any right to question a missionary who is busy and ministering in other nations? Clearly people were responding to her message.

What do I have to show for my efforts? Not much. I couldn’t draw crowd like that, so who am I to question her methods and her results?

Her message of “Jesus loves you!” certainly seemed to bring results!

The net she casts out, “Will you accept Jesus into your heart? He loves you and wants to help you!” was certainly a whole lot fuller then any of my nets ever had been.

She also admonished us “spiritually overfed” American church goers to get busy and do something! Get out there into our neighborhoods where people are waiting to hear about Jesus! Tell them how much “Jesus loves them and wants to help them”!

{I have found most neighbourhoods in America have been saturated with the message they need to “accept Jesus” and don’t want any part of it.}

We were also exhorted to help send people like her to the nations that were “spiritually starving” while we Americans are sitting comfortable in our air conditioned churches.

So what was this lack of excitement in me? What was this emptiness? What was this sadness?

Did I misunderstand her presentation of the gospel?

What does it mean to “accept Jesus”? What does it mean when you say, “He loves you and wants to help you”?

What is the gospel?

Does “Will you accept Jesus into your heart? He loves you and wants to help you!” mean the same thing as Paul’s message of,  repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ? Acts 20:21 or, repent, turn to God and do works meet for repentance? Acts 26:20

Does it mean the same thing as, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me? Luke 9:23

Does it mirror, wide is the way that leads to destruction and narrow is the way that leads to life? Matt. 7: 13-14

Here is my problem, I have found there is this huge divide between my personal experience of salvation and the message of “accepting Jesus because He loves me”. The two are seemingly poles apart. Why is that?

I have joy in my heart, peace in my life and His Voice is the only thing that brings me life, nevertheless, it has cost me something to “accept Jesus”.

I have had to surrender my life and say “Yes Lord, your will, not mine,” to have and enjoy His Presence. And this surrender was not a one time thing, I’ve had to do it numerous times and it’s doesn’t always feel good and pleasant.

To “accept Jesus” for me meant I have had to confess and reject all sin in my life as it has been revealed to me. I have had to humble myself and that isn’t always easy either.

For me to “accept Jesus” meant losing status, reputation, friends and family. Not just once but several times. That hurts.

For me to “accept Jesus” has meant the exclusion of everything that’s not Him and everything that’s not for Him. It has meant loneliness and desert experiences .

Is the gospel simply Jesus pleading with me and patiently waiting in the wings for me to “accept Him” so He can “bless me and help me”?

Or does the gospel of Jesus Christ require my submission to His absolute Lordship in my life with no room for my own agenda?

Is the gospel a message that enables me to “accept Jesus into my life” as an addition that will help me be happier on earth and allow me to go to heaven when I die?

Or is the gospel a message that requires me to die to self now and take my place to serve Him and Him alone?

Is the gospel primarily a message with its sole purpose and goal being to bless me, help me and make my life better?

Or is the purpose of the gospel to reveal the Glory of God to all of creation? To reveal the power of God to completely change me and my life so that I look like Him?

I believe much of what is taught as the gospel is actually humanism. Humanism makes the gospel about man. Humanism says the gospel is to help man and mankind. It is to make man happier and less miserable on earth and to save man so he doesn’t have to go to a nasty hell.

Humanism puts the focus on the improvement, betterment and happiness of man both now and in eternity.

However, I believe all those things are wonderful by-products of the gospel!

But, I believe the gospel is about Jesus. He deserves our allegiance and obedience. He deserves to have the complete focus of our lives and be our reason for living.  He deserves to have people hear the story of the cross even if not one person gets saved. He deserves the reward of His suffering!

Humanism has no ability to produce new creations and we are left wondering why our churches are seated full of self focused, blessing seeking, attention requiring people who have no power to live sanctified lives.

The gospel of Jesus Christ produces new creatures that are citizens of another realm! Sons of God who are passionate and care only about pleasing their Father and living in His Presence! Followers who shake the powers of darkness with their radical obedience!

Related articles

• No Longer Live for Themselves (johnthenry.wordpress.com)
• What Does It Mean To Place Faith in Jesus, Part Three (friendedbychrist.com)