The Mystery of Substitution
Things are different now
Something happened to me
When I gave my life to Jesus Christ
Things I loved before
Have passed away
Things I never loved
Have come to stay
Things are different now
Something happened to me
When I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ
This became my song after my personal encounter with Jesus Christ.
I was born into a ‘Christian family’ but I never consciously acknowledged Jesus Christ’s claims and lordship over my life until I was 17. When I did, it altered my life so radically that when I look back in time, I’m so scared to even contemplate a life different from what I have today.
As I shared in yesterday’s post, my personal faith in Jesus Christ rapidly evolved into an intimate and passionate love affair. Eventually, I dropped out of the University in my third year in order to pursue a full time vocation of service to Him.
Unfortunately (or, probably fortunately, depending on your perspective) at the point that I dropped out of school, I had a very terrible and heart breaking experience with key representatives of the religion called Christianity. It was during that period that I realized the clear-cut distinction between Jesus Christ, and the religion that bears His name. I was stunned by the spiritual blindness, the bigotry, the wickedness that had cloaked itself under the garb of religion.
Because of my decision to drop out of the university and practice my faith as I understood from the bible, I began to experience rejection, persecution, and all sorts of psychological and emotional abuses. This horrible treatment didn’t come from the so-called ‘unbelievers’, but rather from religious leaders! In fact, I got more support and encouragement to pursue my calling from the ‘secular’ and ‘unbelieving’ folks. I was completely stunned.
It would not be hard to imagine that this experience shook the very foundations of my faith and entire life. I was hurt, I was angry, and I was bitter. I could not understand the hostile attitude of those I regarded as being of the same faith as I ( of course, I later understood that we didn’t share the same faith at all!) But at that moment, it was so painful that I began to reconsider the whole Christianity thing. I questioned everything I’d been taught from childhood at Church, and I re-examined all of my experiences as a Christian.
In the end, I came to the awareness that there’s an irreconcilable chasm between Jesus Christ and the religion that bears His name. A personal, intimate, and passionate relationship with Jesus Christ is one thing, the religion called Christianity is another. The difference is comparable to that between light and darkness.
Over the years, I’ve asked myself again and again, “What held you in the faith amidst the external and internal conflicts you’ve had to experience?” Till date, I can only point to one thing – the mystery of substitution…(more on that tomorrow)
Have you ever felt like there is a disparity between Jesus Christ and the religion that bears His name? What experiences created this feeling? Please share your thoughts with us…
Sarah Clark (12)
chummy (11)
Nkechinyere (3)
carri (2)
Deborah Alinda (2)
Yes, I have felt this too. When I was a child I had always wanted to know why it was ‘ok’ to do whatever you wanted and still call yourself a ‘Christian’. I never understood why it was accepted part of life. I didn’t accept it until it fit my desire to do ‘what I wanted’ to do. Then I understood why people acted the way that they did. Have you done something that you KNEW was wrong, you KNEW that you shouldn’t be doing it? You KNEW while you were doing it that it was wrong. You KNEW that you would pay for it later while still calling yourself a Christian? THAT’s not following Christ. I have often done things that I wasn’t excited to do, ie clean house, but knew that it was necessary and helpful to those that I have done it for. I always do what I want when I follow Jesus. It’s not been with anger in knowing that you’ll have to answer for it later but with the knowledge that this is what IS to be done. I guess that is why, for many years, I have felt uncomfortable being committed to a specific religious church because I don’t like religion. I am in love with God. I am never alone.
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I find it painful that you had to endure this type of experience. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first story I have heard of someone with this type of experience. I believe this has driven many people away from Christianity. I am so grateful that you were able to distinguish the difference or you would not be here today inspiring others.
This has not been my personal experience. I must admit that those things which have aided in the developed of my personal realationship with God have not come directly from the church. If you search for him, he will answer your prayers. It may be in an unexpected way. The beauty of God’s love for us never ceases to amaze me.
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Unfortunately, there are many who call themselves Christians who wouldn’t know Jesus if they tripped over him in their own living rooms.
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Yes. And it made me realise that the problem with christians today is not just wolves in sheep clothings, but also sheeps in wolves clothing. Christians seem to be comforming too much. Myself not totally excluded.
chummy´s last blog ..Why You Shouldn’t Get A Job
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Wow! What a christian welcome. Our Lord said it, you will be persecuted for my sake. Reminds me of St.Paul story (2Cor 12:7-10) …I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties for Christ’s sake. For when i am weak, I am strong.
I say it was fortunate. As gold is refined through fire to have value you had a tough test to get God’s devine power as He said ‘my power is greatest when you are weak’. You shared in the suffering with Christ at the cross for that reason many of us are reaping from your fruits. Congratulations!
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