05 February, 2009

Which Jesus Do You Follow?

Which Jesus do you follow? That is the first words of a song that Todd Agnew sang a couple of years ago. (See lyrics and video below) This song came to mind today as I have been reflecting on several conversations that I've had with people over the past 2 weeks. It seems that so many have created a Jesus of their own liking. My generation used to get so angry and upset because the previous generation was so legalistic and dogmatic about what they termed "holiness". What they usually meant by holiness was how long was your hair, did the girls wear pants, did they wear makeup, jewelry and stuff like that. Holiness was measured by what we used to term "clothes line" standards. We've come to understand that holiness is more about the condition of the heart, which will, in fact, be reflected on the outside as the Holy Spirit does his work in us. But it seems now we've reached the place where we have thrown holiness out the window. People are shacking up and saying, "God understands my heart." People have become comfortable doing anything and everything they want through the week and as long as they go to church on Sunday, (at least once in awhile) they think God is pleased with them. In the past few weeks I've talked with people who are sleeping with people they are not married too, people who drink and smoke pot... and they honestly believe they are "on good terms with God." I've talked with people who have decided that they no longer need to go to church and they feel justified in this, and simply dismiss Hebrews 10:24-25 as "not pertaining to today." I've talked with people who feel they do not need to tithe or give to God because they are having a tough time financially. They simply dismiss the biblical commands concerning giving. And then you have folks like Joel Osteen saying that they want people of any faith (meaning different gods) to be able to sit in his service and learn how to have a better life and feel good about themselves. Yes, he has said this. Don't like it that I mentioned it? Too bad. Osteen is not preaching a gospel that cuts like a two edged sword, that draws people to a point of decision for Christ. He simply wants them to live their best life now, when the Jesus of the Bible was more interested in their eternal soul. Yes, there are a lot of different Jesus' being talked about and "believed in" but there is only one Jesus that will save your soul, change your heart and give you new life.




Which Jesus do you follow?
Which Jesus do you serve?
If Ephesians says to imitate Christ
Then why do you look so much like the world?

Cause my Jesus bled and died
He spent His time with thieves and liars
He loved the poor and accosted the arrogant
So which one do you want to be?

Blessed are the poor in spirit
Or do we pray to be blessed with the wealth of this land
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness
Or do we ache for another taste of this world of shifting sand

Cause my Jesus bled and died for my sins
He spent His time with thieves and sluts and liars
He loved the poor and accosted the rich
So which one do you want to be?

Who is this that you follow
This picture of the American dream
If Jesus was here would you walk right by on the other side or fall down and worship at His holy feet

Pretty blue eyes and curly brown hair and a clear complexion
Is how you see Him as He dies for Your sins
But the Word says He was battered and scarred
Or did you miss that part
Sometimes I doubt we'd recognize Him

Cause my Jesus bled and died
He spent His time with thieves and the least of these
He loved the poor and accosted the comfortable
So which one do you want to be?

Cause my Jesus would never be accepted in my church
The blood and dirt on His feet might stain the carpet
But He reaches for the hurting and despises the proud
I think He'd prefer Beale St. to the stained glass crowd
And I know that He can hear me if I cry out loud

I want to be like my Jesus!
I want to be like my Jesus!
I want to be like my Jesus!
I want to be like my Jesus!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well said!

Janice Clark Hayes said...

Thank you for your honesty and clarity in speaking the truth. In these end times and the great falling away in which we are enmeshed, so many are caught in the snare of the enemy's lies. It looks good; it sounds good, but it is not the truth. It is convenient, it is comfortable and it does not challenge the current lifestyle. It does not require repentance and a changed life style. Funny thing about following the real Jesus - He requires both of those things from us. But the benefits of following Him and surrending our will to His so surpasses any promise that the deceiver would proffer.
I'll take His promise anytime, everytime... I am His and He is mine!!!