Consider This | God’s Patience | “I love Jesus, but…”
“My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light… so the darkness will not overtake you.” John 12:35
American Christianity has caught a bad virus. It is deadly, but there is a cure. The biggest problem in avoiding this disease is that it actually makes an afflicted person feel better, so few are eager to consult the Great Physician. Though patient beyond understanding, even God cannot heal a person who refuses His treatment. This infection begins in a mind that has had some enlightenment about sin and salvation. It is convicted of sin and appreciates Jesus. However, before the person can commit to His lordship, the virus races to the heart and like a cancer cell, captures healthy desires and corrupts them with fleshly ideas.
Someone affected by this virus says, “I LOVE Jesus, but… I can still choose sin; I’m an active homosexual; I still cuss like a sailor; I’m sleeping with my significant other; I still plan to get drunk.” When struck by this insidious disease, the sufferer becomes resistant to truth. Biblical absolutes are rejected as legalism and self-sacrifice as an attack on personal happiness. Since God offers no such terms, the virus overtakes the real Jesus and replaces Him with a lookalike. The real Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments (Jn. 14:15).” But the imposter Jesus says, “I just want you to be happy.” So while the infected person gushes over worship songs and community service, he or she never experiences true salvation because the “Jesus” they love is only a symptom of their virus.
Final Thought: If you’re saying, “I love Jesus but…”, you might be worshiping the wrong “Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:4).
Prayer: Jesus, check my heart for viruses. Have I bought into the wrong idea of who you are and what you require of me? Please cleanse me of soul-sickness. Wipe any lookalikes from my mind. I choose you now to be Lord of my life. Amen.