I am a Jesus pusher!!! But how often have I been a self pusher? There is always a fundamental principle which characterizes the sourcing of Christ. There is always a fundamental principle which characterizes self-sourcing. They are not the same. Self-sourcing is always characterized by sensationalism. It reeks of performance. It makes us a star. Regardless of how much I try to say that God helped me or I could not have done it without Him, the focus in on myself. I love to quote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” (Philippians 4:13). Isn’t this verse true? It is in the Bible! But listen closely to how I quote it: “IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII can do all things through Christ who strengthens MEEEEEEEEEEEEE.” I readily acknowledge Jesus is a support; He helps me. But the emphasis of helping someone is that the one who is being helped is in charge. Jesus is a helper to what I want to do!
Jesus was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11). The second temptation took place on the pinnacle of the temple. The devil suggested Jesus’ first act of ministry might be to leap off the pinnacle and let the Father respond to His leap of faith. After all, the Father had expressed great love for the Son. This great sensational feat would certainly win all of Israel and announce His coming. But it would not be sourced by the Father. He could give God credit later when He testified about it. But self-sourcing always focuses on the individual and is sensational.
Christ-sourcing always focuses on Jesus and is seldom sensational. The fundamental principle of Jesus-sourcing is cross style. It is not a sensational leap from the pinnacle of the temple, but a painful death on a cross. It will take three years to get there. There is little applause along the way. There will be betrayal and misunderstanding. The cross is not just an event, but it is a principle of Jesus pushers. The cross style demonstrates itself in washing the feet of the one who will betray as well as others. It is about pouring out your life, never living for self. It is not impulsive but is long range. It will eventually redeem a world. What a privilege! I am a Jesus pusher!!!
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