Sir, we wish to see Jesus.

A few weeks ago Out of Ur, Leadership Magazine’s weblog, posted an entry about an article written by Hemant Mehta, otherwise known as the eBay Atheist. In the article Mehta describes his fascination with Christian Media, and concludes with the following summary:

Christianity works best for non-believers when we hear stories that sound like something we would see or do. Joel [Osteen] tells me to not be dishonest by telling a story from his college days (Hey, I went to college, too!) and then supports his message with a story from the Bible. Dobson tells me I shouldn’t be dishonest because Proverbs 6:16-19 says so (as he does in the April issue of Charisma). Period. Who would I be more inclined to listen to?

What Mehta describes are two common ways that Christians present their faith:
- The way of Pragmatism: The attempt to validate Christianity by demonstrating that following Christian principles helps avoid problems, while not following Christian principles will cause problems. While personal experience is a great way to share your faith, this particular anecdote leaves me missing something.
- The way of Legalism: Instituting and following the rules for the sake of the rules, and obligating others to follow them or suffer the consequences. But again, something is missing…

Granted, I only have Mehta’s description to go on, but what appears to be missing in these two accounts is any mention of the person of Jesus.

And therein lies what I believe is a third and better way, a way that puts Jesus front and center, the way of Love: To love people with Christ’s love in such a way that people see Him through us and fall in love with Him. After all, comprehending how much God loves us compels us to love Him in return. We want to please Him; we want to be like Him. We want others to know and love Him. We want Him to be honored, and respected.

The world does not need more principles to live by, nor does it need more rules to keep. The world is desperately in need of the healing and transforming love that comes only in the person of Jesus Himself, and that only happens when we, His body, His church, act out His love to people around us.

Having said this, however, I confess that I don’t do this. I’m afraid that far too often it isn’t Jesus that people see in me. I’m fully aware that I fall terribly short of having the qualities that drew people to Jesus, and too often I’m more likely to be taken for a pharisee.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love.

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. (2Co 4:5)