As we continue this series of articles, that we are reviewing an article entitled, “A dangerous trend in the churches of Christ.” In the article the writer is questioning our “rightness,” as though we have too much “rightness!”
Here is the jest of the article, as stated in the writer’s own words: “… but if we’ve come to the place that our rightness outranks Jesus in terms of where we direct our attention (and I believe we have), we have a problem.” Allow me to make a critical point in this whole series of articles: “Just where does this writer and a growing number of others, think we find Jesus?” It is true that some, though not generally among churches of Christ, think they have seen Jesus; let me just say, they are delusional! So we have come back to the question: “Just where do we find Jesus?” The only place we will ever, in this life, locate Jesus, it will be in “the gospel of Christ,” it will be in “the teaching of Christ, it will be in “The New Testament!” Thomas asked Jesus a question: “Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? (John 14:5). Jesus answers Thomas in these words: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (verse 6). Therefore, it is clear that if we are to know “the way,” “the truth,” and “the life,” we must understand it will be through Jesus! Thus, we must know Jesus!
However, this brings us back to the original question: “how do we know Jesus,” or “how and where do we find Jesus?” Friends, if it is not in “the teaching (doctrine) of Christ,” we will never know Jesus! To minimize “the doctrine (teaching) of Christ,” is to minimize Jesus! Here the apostle John: “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9). Just how important does John, inspired by the Holy Spirit, put “the doctrine (teaching) of Christ?” John points out, the person who does “abideth not in the doctrine of Christ,” “hath not God!” On the other hand, John also points out, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” Now, allow me to ask, is there one of the inspired writers of the New Testament who minimizes “the doctrine of Christ?” No, no not one!
Most us have sung the song: “Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me;” the words to this song are most interesting as they relate to the point we are making. Here are the words to the first verse: “Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me, All His wonderful passion and purity, My His Spirit divine all my being refine, Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.” (Written by Albert Orsborn). Now, here are my questions: 1) Just where to we learn about the beauty of Jesus? 2) Just where do we learn about his wonderful passion and purity? And 3) Just how does His Spirit divine all my being refine? Each of these questions are answered in the words: “the teaching (doctrine) of Christ!” It is our deepest wish, that the words of the song be true of each of us! But, they never will be true, unless we first fill our spirit/mind with “the teaching (doctrine) of Christ!” No one can be filled with the mind of Christ (Phil 2:5), thus, be filled with Jesus unless, until he is filled with the New Testament; for there is the only place we can be sure we have Jesus!
It is my trust, that each of those who read this series of articles, will understand at least this truth: Jesus is in “the teaching of Christ,” the New Testament! If we are looking elsewhere to find “the mind of Christ,” we are looking in the wrong place! It is truly a blessing to “see the beauty of Jesus” in each of us but it will always be less than the perfect “teaching of Christ!” At the same time, this only shows us how important to others that we be filled with “the beauty of Jesus” let the beauty of Jesus be found in each of us!
Therefore, I ask: “Can others see the beauty of Jesus in each of us?”
Frank R. Williams