ON BEING A CHRISTIAN

Let us conclude this little series of articles about our authentic Christian faith by thinking of the basic experience of being a Christian.

Karl Barth wrote 13 massive volumes about Christianity but he simply described his own faith, “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.”

A personal testimony is most effective so let me share my story.

I was not one of the Billy Graham converts in the 1950’s with a dramatic experience.

The critical decision in my Christian life took place when I decided to change from law to becoming a minister.

With that change I went head-to-head with Jesus.

It was not so much the academic study with the Old Testament Hebrew language and the New Testament Greek but is was more the personal readjustment of my whole way of thinking and living.

Then I realised that the course of my personal life was being guided by someone greater than myself. It would be many years later in my ministry in Paisley that I would encounter Hans Kung’s wonderful description of Jesus.

“Jesus cannot be fitted in anywhere. Jesus is the man who fits no formula. Jesus is different, the historical Jesus in his wholeness turns out to be completely unique”(‘On Being a Christian’page 212).

The Jesus I have encountered and who has won my total commitment is the Jesus who is in full control of my life.

Jesus is not the possession of any one denomination, and as Hans Kung rightly stated, cannot be boxed into any man-made formula.

Let me add, Jesus is in full control right now in the sorry mess into which the major denominations have fallen.

Jesus controls us without the use of force or authority. Rather Jesus controls us by a special and unique divine love.

Jesus controls us with a love stronger than steel bands, more attractive than a powerful magnet, and with a hold on the soul no power in heaven or on earth can loosen. Because Jesus’ love is‘crucified love’.

The Jesus I know first died for me before he called me, first suffered for me in order to save me.

Jesus laid nail-pierced hands on my soul, I walk beside the spear-wounded side on Jesus.

Jesus wears the crown of thorns I recognise should be mine. Jesus’ crucified love, it is irresistible!

There is no hiding place to shelter from that gaze nor escape from that call.

This is the eternally comprehensive work of God summed up in one simple statement:“God so loved the world that God gave us Jesus” (John 3.16).

No human reasoning can successfully respond to the divine logic of the Cross. That logic is simple, the Cross equals man’s need and God solution.

When I came out of New College I knew all the answers. Now near the end of my ministry I am familiar with all the questions. Certainly for me, and I suspect for many believing Christians in contemporary society, mine has been a searching faith.

Often a pitiless struggle to square the pure power of God with the global forces of darkest evil.

For ever a striving to find deeper and more meaningful messages from the texts of the New Testament. But always a return to the Crucified in whom I find solace.

Mine has been a growing faith. Now I am certain that the secret of all life is found in the twin Easter events of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I like to study scientific subjects such as astronomy, quantum mechanics and cosmology.

Modern scientific studies are exciting.

I hasten to add I am still learning. But I am as comfortable in the secular world of science as I am in the spiritual world of worship.

Please allow this very personal account of being a Christian. It has to be personal if it will be real. Before Jesus taught me from his wisdom he caught me in his crucified love, Jesus is saying to us all:“I died for you, will you live for me?”

“I know in whom I believe and am persuaded he will guard that which I have committed to his care against that day”(2 Timothy 1.12).