People avoid talking about Jesus. And that’s too bad. Because Jesus has the meaningful answers we seek. And don’t you naturally talk about someone who provides meaningful answers? Although there are probably many reasons why people avoid talking about Jesus, here are four I’ve observed.
People avoid talking about Jesus because his claims might be true
Jesus claimed to be God in human form. Wow! What a radical idea. God came to earth as an actual person? Was both fully God and man simultaneously?
A seemingly ludicrous and incomprehensible reality. And yet, there it is. Exactly what Jesus claimed among other things.
The religious leaders of his day tried to discredit him and failed. Couldn’t identify even one sin he had committed. Explain the empty tomb 3 days after his death and burial. Or suppress the claims of multiple people who saw him in a resurrected, human body.
And critics can’t disqualify him today either. So they settle for calling him a religious teacher and/or a good man rather than God.
But as C.S. Lewis pointed out in Mere Christianity, a good man would not falsely claim to be God. Such a man would be either a liar or a lunatic.
Which means the third option is still on the table. That Jesus really was God. And if true, it demands serious consideration. And requires a personal decision.
So people just avoid talking about him.
People avoid talking about Jesus because he presents a unifying message
Jesus said we are all sinners. All unrighteous. Equally condemned before God. And ultimately scheduled for judgement before God. It puts us on an even playing field. And unifies us in a common condition.
It should also give us pause on self-righteous name calling, virtue signaling and piling on in moral condemnation. Not to minimize sin or ignore justice. But to acknowledge we are all guilty of moral failure. Fall short of God’s glory. And Jesus, the only one who qualified as perfect, rather than condemn a guilty sinner, offered her grace.
It’s a positive, unifying and life-giving message we should shout at the top of our lungs!
Placing ourselves on higher moral ground than others creates separation. But people who repent of sin and seek reconciliation through Jesus Christ are unified.
And this, in turn, encourages humility, grace and compassion.
Of course, if unity is not your real agenda the best way to shut down the conversation is simply to avoid talking about Jesus.
People avoid talking about Jesus because he demands discipleship
This is where Jesus gets to the heart of the matter. Your heart. He wants to renew, transform and control it. The control part is where people balk.
Sure, Jesus. I’ll take your easy entrance plan into heaven. Make an occasional charitable donation. Attend church every…Christmas and Easter.
But not let you control of my life. Actually follow you. Especially if there’s a cost.
Because real discipleship is more than talk. It’s a daily walk. That may weave along difficult paths. And involve sacrifice. Although it’s a walk with God that is eternally rewarding.
But that all still sounds like quite a commitment. More than most people are ready to accept. So let’s focus our time and attention on other things. And just avoid talking about Jesus.
People avoid talking about Jesus to hide their faith
Peter was that person. I’ve been that person. Because the desire to fit in is strong. To belong. Even be considered cool. Sure. It’s okay to be a religious person. Just not too religious. Because you might be labelled a fanatic. And excluded from certain groups.
Therefore, I downplay my faith in Jesus. Avoid mentioning him as my Savior and Lord. An ordinary, normal looking nice guy. Dudley do right. Not some weird, Jesus freak.
Like Paul the apostle. That’s a guy who really put his faith on display. Openly talked about Jesus at every opportunity.
But not like Peter either. Who followed along the night Jesus was arrested and taken to the high priest’s house. And when asked three times if he was a follower of Jesus, denied it.
To avoid talking about Jesus is just, well, maintaining a low profile. Of course, there will be a final place I want to fit in too. And a moment before I enter when I face Jesus and he speaks up for me.
Surely Jesus won’t hold that silence against me. Will he?
Obviously, talking about Jesus in today’s cultural climate requires discretion and courage. A sense of urgency about sharing his message. And a commitment to obedience over acceptance.
The Bible story of Jesus and the adulterous woman has something to teach us today. It describes an encounter between Jesus and Jewish religious leaders who demanded his judgement over a women caught in adultery. But the lessons go beyond that.
The Bible Story Of Jesus And The Adulterous Woman Demonstrates That God Lets You Write A New Story
During this time period, adultery was a sin with a penalty of death by stoning. And the religious leaders presented to Jesus an offender caught in the act. An open and shut case. All Jesus had to do was pronounce judgement to end the story.
Because God wrote a new story with Jesus as the central character. He understands we sin. Has compassion for us. And the new story is the gospel. The good news that Jesus is the Son of God who sacrificed his life for our sin.
And because of his story, the woman could change her story.
So Jesus put the religious leaders on pause by turning the tables on them. God has a way of doing that too.
The Bible Story Of Jesus And The Adulterous Woman Demonstrates That God’s Grace Covers All Sin
Of course, the religious leaders weren’t really interested in the woman’s sin. They were challenging Jesus. Out to trip him up. Was he really serious about God’s laws? Prepared to follow through and pronounce judgment? Or would he try to wiggle out of it in the name of love?
Even today, the tug of war between God’s law and God’s grace pulls us back and forth. And Jesus appeared trapped in a no win situation.
But Jesus didn’t get rattled. Act defensive or uptight. Instead, he stooped and wrote in the dirt. We can only speculate what it said. Perhaps, he listed some sins of the accusers. The top 10 count down songs of the day. Maybe he just doodled as he prayed for a wise answer.
And when he stood, he delivered it with a divine, counter punch that challenged the moral purity of the accusers.
Maybe a good test for you and me? Before we jump on the bandwagon of our own virtue and condemn someone else, perhaps we should first consider our own righteousness?
The point is, we all sin. And the sacrifice of Jesus covers it all. There remains, of course, a tug of war between law and grace. Scripture teaches both are important. And the challenge is to avoid leaning too far either way.
The Bible Story Of Jesus And The Adulterous Woman Demonstrates That God Calls Us To Moral Purity
Although Jesus did not condemn the women, he acknowledged her sinful behavior. And challenged her to change her story by saying, “go and sin no more.”
Did she begin a new life or go right back to the old one? We don’t know. But she had the opportunity. We all do.
Ultimately, God will judge. But he prefers to offer grace. Change stories. Provide second chances. That’s what the gospel story is about.
So yes. God understands we are sinners. And has compassion for us. But that doesn’t mean he accepts a sinful lifestyle. Rather, he calls us to strive for moral excellence.
The apostle Paul compares it to a long distance race. That’s what a relationship with Jesus involves. To strive for righteousness as a Christ-follower. Knowing you won’t always succeed. But you press forward anyway. Because the stakes are high. And the rewards eternal.
There are visible signs to an uncommon Christian life. Evidence that demonstrates a difference in a good way. Not perfect. But authentic and distinct. Here are just three signs that mark a real follower of Jesus Christ.
AN UNCOMMON CHRISTIAN
LIFE DEMONSTRATES HOLINESS
Stay with me. Biblical holiness is NOT holier than thou. That is actually self-righteousness and was regularly condemned by Jesus as pride in disguise.
In the life of an uncommon Christian, holiness is the pursuit, not the perfection of Godliness. As Paul describes in Philippians 3:12, it’s a goal you consistently strive to attain, but never complete in this life.
What do you mean by holy?
Biblical holiness means to be set apart and dedicated to God. It’s marked more by the desire of your heart than success of your performance. Even so, there is something obviously upright about how an uncommon Christian lives.
Additionally, it’s more than human effort. Scripture teaches that God’s Spirit dwells within and empowers a real follower of Jesus. So an uncommon Christian produces visible, spiritual fruits. (Galatians 5:22-23)
AN UNCOMMON CHRISTIAN
STANDS ON BIBLICAL TRUTH
The Bible claims to be God’s Word and absolute truth. (2
Timothy 3:16-17) It is an either or claim that demands a yes or no conviction.
In a yes response, a real follower of Jesus conforms his/her life to the teachings of scripture and resists fitting it to his/her lifestyle. So there’s an uncompromising, principled quality to an uncommon Christian life.
One that especially stands out in the relative truth, worldview of modern society. Perhaps is even mocked as out of touch with current thought.
AN UNCOMMON CHRISTIAN
MAINTAINS A FORWARD FOCUS
An uncommon Christian has a positive attitude and forward mindset. Because a real follower of Jesus anticipates a secure, heavenly future. Yet, doesn’t disengage from this life.
A real follower of Jesus recognizes the existence of evil without running from it. But rather, ministers through a transforming power that is Christ’s presence in their life. And when followers of Jesus unify as the church, the power is magnified.
Beyond life’s circumstances…
In spite of circumstances, an uncommon Christian possesses the most resilient force on earth…hope! It drives them, defines them and equips them with transcending joy.
Most importantly, an uncommon Christian is product of grace. Not perfectly reflected, but still a glimpse of God’s grace. So a real follower of Jesus shines like a lighthouse in a dark, needy world.
Join my list and I'll notify you of new blog posts and send you a monthly newsletter. It features inspirational thoughts, writing tips, and a peek into writing projects. I'll also include my article: Exaggerate to Make Your Presentations Funny. It shows you how to punch up presentations with humor and make them more compelling.
