One important tenet of the Christian faith is that we become Christ-like. This means we strive to live lives that follow the example of Jesus and the instructions given to us in the Bible. 1 Corinthians 1:11 says, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” Paul was one of the most influential leaders of the early church and he urged others to be imitators of Christ. He knew that Christ's life and teachings were worthy of following after.
Where this idea gets tricky is when the Christ-followers fail because, unlike Jesus, we are not able to live perfect lives.
We strive to follow the example Jesus set, but we are not Him.
The story of our lives is intended to point to the One that we serve—but we are not the Savior. Humanity’s imperfect following of Jesus and his teachings can muddy the waters of our testimonies.
It is common for many to point to human failure as a reason not to believe...but thankfully our faith is rooted in something much stronger than humanity's efforts. Christianity is rooted in the truth that God came to Earth in the form of a perfect man to show God’s great love for us through Jesus’ death on the cross. We learn through His teachings, but more importantly, He made a way for all who believe in Christ to live redeemed lives on Earth as well as spend eternity in Heaven with Him!
Be encouraged, the Christian faith is built on a strong foundation. Let’s explore some of the biblical reasons Christians are not Christ:
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1. Christians Aren’t Perfect
The Bible makes it clear that humanity is a flawed creation. Despite our best efforts on our own we do not have the power to live righteous lives. Romans 3:23 lays this out for us pretty clearly, it says, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
One implication of this truth is that every Christian leader has flaws. While God uses people, He uses us despite our imperfections. Believers have to hold the teachings we receive from pastors and other leaders up to the standard of the Bible. It is up to us to question, dig deep into the Word of God, and have a community to lean on and learn from as we wrestle with issues pertaining to life, faith, and relationships.
When leaders or other believers fail us, we need to offer them grace and forgiveness because they are only humans doing their best to point us to the perfect Christ. Their failure is not a failure of our Savior but just a symptom of humanity's fallen condition. In these moments, Christ-followers have to bring our grief over the sin that fills our world to the cross and allow Jesus to once again heal the brokenness that disappointment delivers.
Our belief in Jesus has to go beyond our affiliation with a particular person or faith community. The faith we hold in our hearts has to be rooted in the truth of Jesus. Acts 4:12 says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” If we are only following God because we want to please a particular person and that person makes a mistake, there is a good chance your heart and faith will be damaged.
Only faith rooted in Jesus alone is secure.
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2. We’re Called to Live with Humility, Always Pointing Others to Jesus
The Church talks a lot about being “called by God” or “chosen” to do God’s work. The idea of being called is found in the Bible. Thessalonians 2:14 says, “He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
These passages of scripture point to the idea that we are partners with Jesus in His mission to heal, save, and redeem our broken world! What an honor to be in His family and to do His work.
At times though, we can take this concept of “calling” as a badge of individual honor, allowing pride to trick us into believing we are what the world needs, rather than being a vessel that points the world back to Jesus. Proverbs 16:18 warns us that pride leads to our destruction. Nonetheless, pride is one of the sneakiest sins that very easily taints our thoughts, actions, and the ways we use our God-given influence.
Each of us are gifted, called, and used by God as a part of His body. We are to humbly serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13). Love is not proud or puffed up (1 Corinthians 13:4). When we serve with love and humility, we are not the main attraction. Christianity’s role in this world is to point those around them to the truth of Christ.
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3. Only Jesus Has Power to Offer Salvation
Salvation comes through Christ and Christ alone!
Any doctrine or personality that points us away from this central truth is not representing Biblical truth. The great story told in the Bible is one of a fallen creation in desperate need of a great Savior. Only one without spot or blemish could come and atone for the sins of mankind. Jesus Christ is that Savior, fully God and fully human giving His life for us so we can be saved.
He is the only one with the power to defeat sin and death! John 14:6 says:
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Jesus made it clear that He is the one we follow. John 3:36 says:
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
It is only through faith in Jesus that we have access to eternal life. No other entity can restore us to right-standing with God.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 says:
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Christians are to build each other up and offer encouragement to one another.
John 34:13 says:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
Believers are to be the embodiment of God’s love here on Earth. We love others because God so loves us! We cannot offer salvation; only God has the power to transform our hearts and minds.
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4. Only Christ Has Power to Change and Heal People
We can easily become burdened by the needs of those we love. Desiring them to find freedom and healing from the power of sin in their lives. While we are to be those who care and pray for those around us; ultimately only God has the power to change lives.
Thankfully, we can rest in the knowledge that it is not up to us to “save” other people; that is God’s job. When we start to feel overwhelmed by the circumstances of another person, we can bring their need to Jesus in prayer. 1 Peter 5:7 says:
Cast all your anxieties on him, because He cares for you.
This is the posture we need to take as believers! Cast all our anxious thoughts over to the Lord to carry for us. He is in control and has the power to move on our behalf.
Philippians 4:19 says:
And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
God is our source and supplies what we need to live transformed lives. Prayer is the way that we invite God’s power into a situation because He is the one who supplies our needs and intervenes in the lives of those we love.
1 John 5:14-15 says:
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
We can be confident that even when we may feel like we are failing or are not being heard, God is still at work, honoring our prayers.
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