Increased Capacity
Most have a certain perception of Christianity that I believe is unfair. I believe that it is common to think that following Christ means you are boxed in being, acting, feeling a certain way. Nothing could be further from the truth. I understand why people may think this and I, at times, have struggled with the same feeling. Particularly because it looks like Christians have a language that they understand. We use words like “justification and righteousness” which are hard to understand but are thrown around with such normality that even seasoned Christians feel embarrassed to ask what they mean. But beyond language we see that Christians (in reaction I think to the 70’s) tried to create a sub-culture of dress and lifestyle that they thought would be an attractive alternative to present culture. This was, of course a mistake. What people need is not a new “Christianized” social network. What people need is a Christ.
Let me say this simply. Christianity is not a cult. It is not a cookie cutter religion. It doesn’t ask us to regurgitate the same phraseology. Matter of fact, Christianity is the religion that tells us to speak truth to ourselves and to one another. Christianity is the one world religion that takes into consideration the personality of the individual. At the same time it brings us into a community where we learn from each other.
For clarification I should note that Christianity has standards and ideals. However, these are not motivated by “act, speak this way so that…” Rather, “act, speak this way because God is…” Scripture tells us to “be holy because I (God) am holy.” Our lives are to be a reflection of the Christ. This reflection doesn’t come about by impersonation. Instead, Christ lives in us. He changes us from the inside out. And yet he accommodates to our personalities, behavior patterns, family upbringing, private fears, etc. The Gospel is big enough and complex enough that every tribe tongue and language can be in the tent of God’s love. Again no other religion does this.
Christ doesn’t limit your personality but increases your capacity to fulfill exactly whom God has designed you to be. I believe we see this clearly in the women in Luke 7. In the Chapter Jesus heals a centurion (soldiers) servant, a widows only son and a sinful, most likely prostitute, woman. Each person and situation is different. God’s healing and grace is the consistent.
To the woman he says “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven- for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little” (Luke 7:47). Here is the increased capacity of the gospel! Christianity expands our heart and personality to feel and know MORE not LESS. This woman knew more of the love of Christ because she saw more of the sin in her life. She was able to love more because she had felt (sadly, literally) the lack of love for years! This is good news.
In the gospel the more you understand the sinful nature of your heart the greater you see the love of Christ which is rich and free. We see our sinful natures not by comparing ourselves with others but by realizing that a holy God in Christ is our litmus test. In the light of what Jesus has done for others our selfishness arises. When we see his humility we see our pride. And so forth.
Today may our capacity increase for knowing the love of Christ by seeing our sin and then by learning love others with the same love given to us. Increase your capacity – your personality – that we may know more grief and joy in Jesus.
