Form or Reality? (Part 2)

Trust me, once we’re on the narrow road we will be rubbing shoulders with all kinds of people. Jesus’ intention is to use them to rub the rough edges off of us; to expose the Pharisaical spirit in us; to show us that there really is a difference between form and reality. 

For example, form sees us enjoying the idea of friendship, marriage, or mentoring. Friendship for us may mean someone to hang out with, someone to share what’s happening in our lives. Marriage may mean a more consistent someone to hang out with, and enjoying other pleasures. Mentoring may mean being able to put on our resume that we have someone we know who is interested in our well-being.

Too many of us think this is the level to which we were called. But what happens when reality kicks in and our friends do something that challenges our ability to trust them? What happens when our spouse continues to comment on our irritating habits? What happens when our mentor starts to ask the hard questions and keeps us accountable for things we said we wanted to grow and mature in?

This is when form and reality are seen for how contrary they are. Form will not want to pursue reconciliation, restoration, forgiveness, humility, and accountability in any of these relationships. Reality does. In order for the reality of our relationship with Jesus Christ to be demonstrated to others, we must “…deny ourselves and take up our cross daily, and follow Him.” “Daily” is the operative word. How many of us are willing to work at a relationship on a daily basis? To talk and work through differences, discrepancies, disappointments? Looking at some of the statistics out there, not many. It’s far too easy to say that because the form isn’t working or isn’t what I was expecting, I’m justified in joining those walking on the wide road. It makes me wonder if we were on the narrow road to begin with? Reality calls for commitment, faithfulness, obedience and responsibility; that “Until death do us part” kind of attitude and action. 

The amazing truth is that even if we start with a form of a relationship with Jesus Christ, and with others, we can move into the reality of a relationship. This is possible when we are honest enough with ourselves to admit that form isn’t enough, and we’re willing to face the reality that we have been following what has no substance. Even confessing that we have been selfish in the way we have viewed our relationship with Jesus and others. We start being real and honest with God, with others, and ourselves and no longer speak words we don’t follow through with, but follow through with our words and intentions. It is committing, by God’s strength and enabling, to place our trust in the reality of His presence. 

It’s like the challenge Joshua put out to the Israelites before his death, “…fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served …serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:14-15). 

Who are we going to serve? The form or reality of Jesus Christ?

Form or Reality? (Part 1)

This is a recurring question that has been going through my mind for several months now. I’ve been wondering if many of us have actually settled for a “form” of Jesus and not the “reality” of Him? When I read through the gospels this seems to be a concealed question Jesus had upon encountering people. Why else would He say on so many occasions, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow Me”? He knew that it was all too easy to follow a form of Him and not the reality of Him. So He painted a picture of what it meant to follow the reality of Him and then waited to see who would opt for the narrow road.

The rich young ruler, the Pharisees, even Jesus’ very own disciples were questioned as to their level of devotion to the person of Jesus Christ. Many were willing to follow a form, a concept, an idea, a principle, even a good cause, but very few actually followed the reality of the person of Jesus Christ. Those like the rich young ruler found out soon enough that form wasn’t going to cut it with Jesus, and because he wasn’t willing to deny himself, he didn’t even get on the narrow road. The Pharisees seemed not to be able to discern the difference between form and reality, and to the letter, devoted themselves to following principles and a good cause. These were the very roots Jesus was exposing in them and wanted to pull out and burn. They were blinded by their own self-righteousness and really did believe they were on the narrow road even to the very end. Jesus’ fan club began to disperse once He wasn’t willing to serve their idea of what the Messiah should do. Even those seemingly close disciples backed away once the heat of following Him started intensifying. Only a few faithful followers remained on the narrow road. 

I don’t believe we’re all that different. We have our idea or form of God that we’re willing to follow and most of us do it very dutifully. The problem is Jesus didn’t invite us to come and follow our idea of Him or His cause, but rather, Him! That means the reality of who He is. That means wherever the Father leads Him, we follow. That means His character, not ours, radiating through us. That means denying ourselves, taking up our cross daily, and following Him.

I believe most of us are asking ourselves the wrong question. If we are asking, “What I am doing with what I’ve been given?” then that will automatically lead us to following a form – the principles, our idea of God, the cause of Christ. However, if we ask ourselves, “What I am doing with Who I’ve been given?” then this will lead us to following the reality - the person of Jesus Christ. This will lead me away from being in love with my idea or form of God and being in love and devoted to the person of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps this is as good a time as any to ask yourself, “What am I doing with WHO I’ve been given?”