Lately, in listening to much on Christian Culture and messages from popular preachers, I have become quite sad at the state of things. The popular message on the radio, in media and music, and even in much of the preaching is centered on self rather than Christ. We focus much on the things we get out of following Christ as opposed to focusing on Christ Himself. In many respects, I wonder if we’re swimming with sharks while wearing bloody meat by doing that.
To place this in human terms (it’s okay, Jesus, Paul and Peter did the same, preachers can to!), imagine a relationship with your husband or wife, but you are only about what you can get out of it. You do things for them, but only because you’re going to gain from the doing. That relationship isn’t personal, it’s transactional. Essentially, one is saying “I do because I get. I’m here because of the benefits.” What happens in relationships like that? They almost always end messily, and if not, they remain in an unhappy state. In the same way, we can’t approach Jesus with “Lord, I do this, so you owe me that.” Jesus is Lord, He owes us nothing, even though His gifts are beyond price!
Our relationship with Christ is all about Him. We can offer Him nothing for which we deserve anything, and yet He offers us eternity in place of our mess. We have promises, yes, but those extend beyond this life. Our lives are only a vapor. This world is not our home. The focus should always be fixed on Jesus and His goodness instead of our mess. So let us stop trying to gain from our relationship with Him, and let’s focus on the relationship we have with Him. He is worthy and worth it, and He always makes us better, even if our situation is not the best!
Hebrews 1
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
For to which of the angels did God ever say,
“You are my Son,
today I have begotten you”?
Or again,
“I will be to him a father,
and he shall be to me a son”?
And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,
“Let all God’s angels worship him.”
Of the angels he says,
“He makes his angels winds,
and his ministers a flame of fire.”
But of the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
And,
“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,
and the heavens are the work of your hands;
they will perish, but you remain;
they will all wear out like a garment,
like a robe you will roll them up,
like a garment they will be changed.
But you are the same,
and your years will have no end.”
And to which of the angels has he ever said,
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?
Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

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