Reclaiming An Irresistible Faith

I've been reading an engaging new book by pastor Andy Stanley over the past couple of weeks.  The book is entitled Irresistible: Reclaiming The New That Jesus Unleashed For The World, and it's is so engaging, in fact, that I am recommending it here in my Daily Devo.

Stanley explores the looming crisis that the Christian Church in America--a crisis that is evident by declining membership, and church attendance among younger Americans. 

Essentially, Stanley asserts, we are in the middle of a "Post-Christian" culture--a culture where a growing number of people have a basic idea of the language and tenets of the Christian faith but have rejected them. 

But interestingly enough, what they haven't rejected is Jesus himself.  Jesus remains more popular than ever.  His teachings of love, inclusivity, God's preference for the poor, downtrodden, marginalized and forgotten resonate with more and more people.

What people are rejecting, however, are the ways in which Jesus' supposed followers choose to speak and act in Jesus' name.  Stanley puts it like this: 

People don't generally leave the church or faith because of Jesus.  He's not the stumbling block. We've put other things in their way.  Things that have made our message unnecessarily resistible. 

Here's the thing.  You don't have to choose faith over science in order to follow Jesus.  You don't have to check your brain at the door in order to be a Christian.  And in many communities of faith (like mine), you don't have to believe exactly everything that others believe in order to be a part of them.  

My exhortation for you today is to fall more in love with Jesus.  Make Jesus the center of your faith--not a church, or a denomination---or even the Bible itself.  I agree with Stanley that far too many Christians practice Bibliolatry when it comes to their faith, and have forgotten that it's all about Jesus.  

Stumble after Jesus today and every day.  Let his words guide you.  Let his example call you to faithfulness, and may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and always. Amen.