Be Patient and Be Impressed

There are three ways that people view Christ.

There are, of course, those who do not truly understand the character or will of Christ. In John 6:42-43, we learn that there were many Jews who were so puzzled by Jesus' teachings that they viewed Him as a lunatic. Even some of His own disciples, "...when they heard this, said, 'This is a hard saying; who can understand it" (John 6:60). As we see in verse 66, those confused disciples "went back and walked with Him no more." We see this reaction quite often, don't we? Atheists and those who are outside the realm of so-called Christianity and who are ignorant of the true message of the gospel see it as nothing more than foolishness (1 Cor. 1:21-24). Paul himself acknowledges, by inspiration, that "God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise" (1 Cor. 1:27). Therefore, "not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called" (1 Cor. 1:26). But God has designed it this way. Only those who have truly humbled themselves will be privileged to enter the kingdom of God.

Then, there are those who have embraced Christ out of necessity or desperation. Back in John 6, when many of the disciples abandoned Jesus because of the "foolishness" of His message, He turned to the apostles and said, "Do you also want to go away?" (John 6:67). "But Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (vs. 68). Did Peter, an uneducated fisherman from Galilee, understand Jesus' message any more than the other disciples? No! There was a lot that Peter didn't understand, and wouldn't understand for a while, but that was okay. He knew who Jesus was, and He knew that Jesus could provide him with the salvation he so desperately needed! Likewise, there are folks today who believe in Christ, and who follow Christ, and yet it may be that they still don't understand much of the gospel. They may understand the basic structure and message of the Word, but the essence of the Word hasn't permeated their heart yet.

Finally, there are those who have worked and studied for years to understand the gospel of Christ, and finally, it begins to all come together. No longer is the Bible just words on paper, facts to be memorized, and rules to be obeyed. It becomes something much more...something "living and powerful" (Heb. 4:12) that consumed our lives. We begin to see people differently. We begin to see the natural world differently. We begin to see our own lives differently. Our priorities shift, not grudgingly, but willingly and happily. And we become so thoroughly moved, so completely impressed, so reverently humbled and enamored and overwhelmed by the testimony of scripture, by the character and wisdom of the Almighty God, and by the promise of heaven. 

How do you view Christ? Are you unimpressed, baffled and confused by the foolishness of the gospel? Have you embraced the gospel out of necessity or desperation while continuing to struggle with faith? Or have you reached that point where Christ has consumed your life to such an extent that you see Him in everything around you?

If you're not there yet, be patient...and you will be impressed!