"Another Jesus"

We adopted Jesus,

And made sure He was white,

Toned down what He warned against,

To make us feel all right.

When Jesus challenged rich folks,

We said they’d be okay,

If they just came to church enough,

And tithes and offerings pay.

We didn’t take the trouble,

To help the least of these,

But tossed in a few dollars,

To help our conscience ease.

We are not into suffering,

Or counting up the cost,

Or laying down what we want,

Or seeking out the lost.

No, let us have our Jesus,

As tame as tame can be,

Work Him into our schedule,

And call it grace so free.

We’re okay with the Spirit,

If things aren’t out of hand,

But we’re not holy rollers,

So keep quiet if you can.

We are just good people,

Not really sinners, us,

Jesus died for other folks,

Whose train wrecks make a fuss.

We’re fine with other avenues,

That lead to the same place,

No matter how you get there,

We’ll all see heaven’s face.

And no, we’re not judgmental,

Unless you still insist,

That Jesus is the only way,

And that we will resist.

Don’t like a testimony,

Don’t like to hear “the blood,”

And don’t mention the devil,

‘Cause we don’t buy that crud.

Just happy old church people,

A-singin’ on our way,

We’re glad we have our Jesus,

And He with us will stay.

“You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the One we preach…” (2 Cor. 11:4, NLT)

What Jesus do you believe in? is He the Jesus of the Bible? Is He the One Peter died for, and Paul preached all over the known world? Or is He someone else? Religion has a tendency to dumb down and dull down who Jesus really is. When we know the real Jesus, He claims first place in our lives. We are overcome by His Lordship and are willing to do whatever is required to follow Him. We are willing to make any sacrifice and consider it no sacrifice at all to follow Him. Jesus, the real Jesus, is the One who is worthy of our eternal praise and unreserved commitment. And any version of Him that does not is not the real thing. The real Jesus changes, saves, and heals lives completely, and He’s the only one who can!

Lord, help us surrender to the real revelation of who You are, in Jesus’ name.

Art by JaNeil Anderson, janeilanderson.com. Used by permission. Thanks, JaNeil, and God bless you.