Don't Keep Jesus at Arm's Length

I'll begin my article with an excerpt from one of my favorite pastors, priests and theologians, the late Henri Nouwen. Read the following quote carefully and truly contemplate the varying implications to the question Henri poses:

Let Nouwen's question sink in for a bit. Let it sink deep down into the depths of your soul. Meditate on the consequences of wanting to be like Christ or not. Spend some time in prayer about this question.

Then, when you're ready, fellow servant of Jesus, make a decision and act accordingly.

There is a heavy, life-altering blessing inherent in Nouwen's words because they are rooted in the truth of Jesus. It's vital, then, that we recognize that we are not merely "human beings" but also "human doings." The problem is that members of Christ's body are quick to simply only "be" or "do." For many in the Church, living for Christ is to live one way or the other. The fact remains, however, that to be a fully mature disciple of Christ one must both "be" and "do."

Living wholly (and holy) is the biblical way to live for Christ. If we are truly transformed by the Spirit of Christ, and our minds are renewed by God daily, then we must be the Lord's "human beings" and "human doings." Even Jesus' brother James said that "being" only doesn't demonstrate an active faith, but instead, this is what matters: "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Surely that faith cannot save, can it? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,' and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead" (James 2:14-17). How important it is that we remind ourselves of James' words, too! A disciple of Jesus Christ isn't content to only obtain biblical knowledge and hoard it but to translate that biblical knowledge into compassionate action. So faith without works is dead. And yet, let us not jump the gun and forget that works without faith have no power, either.

In other words, we must know Christ by faith in order to do the works of Christ. First, we must be, then we must do. And we must repeat that cycle each day, listening to God's voice and carrying our crosses which bear the burdens of the hurting, the lonely, the helpless and the hopeless around us. We must "be" available to the Holy Spirit in order that we might "do" what God requires of us. And what are those requirements? The prophet Micah reveals God's answer: "He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8). To try and execute justice, lovingkindness and humility without love is simply volunteerism--volunteering makes a heart feel good, but that feeling ends there; however, when the purpose of justice, lovingkindness and humility are carried out by way of God's love in Christ on behalf of the suffering, then that "being" and "doing" produce lasting change, and this transformation serves to build up God's Kingdom and not our own (which sadly is built on shifting sands, Matt. 7).

As we enter into a new church year, Nouwen's question pierces the heart and simply won't let it go until it is able to confess any unwillingness to both "be" and "do" for the Lord. Our hearts must first be changed by the Spirit of Christ. We were created to accomplish good works which God prepared for us in advance (Eph. 2:10), but we will not be fit for the task if we don't first learn to worship God, pray with/to God, and study/learn what Jesus says to us in the Holy Scriptures. Therefore, my hope for our church is that we keep Jesus close by committing to worshiping, learning and serving at United Baptist not just for another church year, but for the rest of our lives.

Moreover, if we offer our hearts and our hands to God in these ways, we can rest assured knowing that we aren't keeping Jesus at arm's length. Instead, we'll discover that Jesus' arms are long enough and strong enough to help us grow in both our "being" and "doing" for the hurting, the lonely, the left out and the lost. And when your heart is dedicated to Christ, we'll also find that in both "being" and "doing" God has a way of ministering to us, too, through his comforting Spirit. In fact, whenever we know what Jesus knows and do what Jesus does we'll realize that the greatest gifts are not only the changed lives around us but also the changed life that is us! What can be greater than becoming more like Christ as we "be" and "do" for him each day? This process of becoming like Jesus is known as sanctification, and it's the work of the Holy Spirit in and through us as we learn to submit to God, moment by moment.

There can be nothing more praiseworthy than learning and doing for Jesus. We must never keep Jesus at arm's length. We must always "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to [us]" (James 4:8a). The "being" and the "doing" of the church is not limited to its leaders, ministers and pastors. In fact, church leaders, ministers and pastors are called to equip the members for the "being" and the "doing" of the ministry. But our effectiveness as a church will only be as strong as 1) every person's participation and sharing of his/her spiritual gifts and 2) our trust in God's Spirit to enable us to both "be" and "do." Without these two points of faith we will miss opportunities to glorify God and forfeit the blessing of watching God's Kingdom grow on earth as it is in heaven. We certainly don't want to miss these learning and service opportunities, do we, Beloved Church?

So, friends, here we are. A new church year is upon us. Don't keep Jesus at arm's length but instead, keep him close. Ask God for the power to both "be" (learn, discipleship) and "do" (engage fellowship, serve on mission) all church year long. And if we are faithful to offer ourselves to Christ in this way, I can promise you that God will pour out his blessings upon us in ways that we can't even begin to fathom or quantify (Mal. 3:10). Believe Jesus for it, friends!

So--who's with me? Are you ready to "be" and "do" at UBC in 2023-2024? Stay close to Jesus. And never forget Nouwen's words: "Indeed, we are called to know what Jesus knew and do what Jesus did. Do we really want that, or do we prefer to keep Jesus at arm's length?"

Now, it's up to you to decide, dear one. I say take the risk and jump in with both feet. I can assure you that "being" and "doing" for Jesus will fill your soul like nothing else in creation will.

And that's a fact.

Looking forward to "being" and "doing" with you in this New Church Year!

Pastor Will

><> John 3:30 <><