Follow Me
Have you ever introduced a friend to a favourite sport of yours? I tried this with my wife (then fiancée) during the Six Nations last year. “It’ll only take one game and she’ll be hooked,” I mused. But which game would I choose? It couldn’t be Scotland v. England (I have split loyalties). Now, I love the way the French play, but only when they decide to play which frankly left too much to hope for so they were out of the question. I settled on Ireland v. Wales thinking that’s where the magic will happen.
It’s all easier with hindsight of course. Looking for the best examples we would all (Brits, that is) pick the 2005 Ashes over 2014 or the 5-1 against Germany over most-any World Cups finals post 1966 etc. When we want to sell something we’re going to look to the best example we can find and offer that moment as our chief evidence.
I’ve found this pattern true of most things. We point to the best of something – be it a product, or a sport, or an idea – when we’re seeking to promote it. Advertisers tell us what their thing does best of all. The fact sheets tend to be stacked with the favourable measurements at the top.
We do this too with religion when we point out the merits of a particular faith. Ideas and arguments from every viewpoint seek to offer the top example. It seems to me however that in all of the selling and highlighting of religions, only one really does stand out because, well, it just goes about things differently.
I am of course talking of Christianity. At the heart of the Christian faith is a man who claimed to be God. This is a claim that none of the leaders of other major world religions dared to make.
Every religion, or non-religion, has its best examples and top arguments. Christianity however claims that best isn’t good enough and offers ‘perfect’ instead. Jesus Christ was so bold to claim that not only was he a great man and therefore a great example, but more than that he was a perfect man and therefore the only example.
That’s why the early Christians would talk about the gospel – literally, the good news – of Jesus Christ. He was and is the example.
Christians follow Jesus’ example of offering the same Good News. But instead of pointing to ourselves, we point to Jesus.
A Christian following Jesus may themselves be an excellent illustration for the Good News, but their example really, ultimately, looks past. Christians aren’t saying ‘We’re perfect, follow us’ but rather ‘Jesus is perfect, follow Him’. The life of a Christian ought to serve as a pointer to Jesus himself.
Of course, it’s not always that simple and Christians, who though friends with Jesus and becoming more like him, are still human and get things wrong too. It was Mahatma Gandhi who famously pointed out, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
But it was Saint Augustine who wisely pointed that we should “never judge a philosophy by its abuse”. The testimony in a Christian’s life should be that he or she isn’t the same person that you knew last month, last year, 10 years ago etc. That over time there is evidence of change into a person of character more similar to Jesus’ own.
When Jesus called his first disciples he said to them, “Follow me.” Over time Christ’s followers came to see that his invitation wasn’t just a good idea from a good leader, but the most valuable summons ever from the most perfect of men.
Did the same with football and my wife, I took her to a Crystal Palace vs. Chelsea match in the early 80’s. it still holds the record for being the worst match I have ever watched and she has moved from being ambivalent to hating football.
Ha! Yes. Football in particular seems to have a way of impressing when least expected and failing when most desired.
If I were to talk to non Christians like this they would not have a clue what I meant. I’m not sure I understand what you are getting at?
I’m sorry this doesn’t work for you! Perhaps you could offer some specific objections? I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks.
Follow Jesus in proclaiming the good news, whatever that means, because He’s perfect, whatever that means?
As a Christian I am not sure that any ‘bettering’ of myself has contributed to leading a non-Christian into the arms of Jesus. There are still many non-Christians who are much ‘better’ in human terms that I am. I think that our honesty about our complete need for Jesus and the sharing that his complete offer of unconditional love and forgiveness is far more important. As time passes I come to realise just how far from the character of Jesus I really am and how much more I need him to lead me.
Thanks Steve. You make a good point. Being a Christian doesn’t automatically make someone a good person. There are many people who aren’t Christians who may, by some standard, be considered better people than some Christians.
With time though, and the work of the Holy Spirit, Christians ought not to be the same as they were before they were born again. This journey – completely done by the work of the grace of God – can I think be a testimony to the goodness of God in a world that widely believes that by and large people just don’t change.
Thanks Jonathan. I agree. With time we can be ‘transformed by the renewing of our mind’. If it wasn’t for the working of the Holy Spirit I would definitely be a much worse husband, father, friend etc. As you say, this can be a witness to the reality of a God who loves and cares for His creation and wants to rescue them and be in relationship with them.
Aye Steve. Better is as better does. Kinder. More tolerant. More generous More inclusive. More sacrificial. More courageous. More just. More patient. More encouraging. More peaceful.
Appreciated this article. Just one thing I’ve observed – too many Christians I meet seem never to have heard never mind grasped that although good news Christianity is about following a Crucified God! Any even small experience of suffering is an enigma to them! So let’s make sure we’re hearing and sharing all the good news including the more challenging bits!
Thanks Paul!
I appreciate it too. And funnily enough I’ve observed the exact opposite. Our hymns and our desperation to get crucified people to follow God our way. And our good news that lacks the good bits.
What good news did Jesus actually proclaim?
Did He actually proclaim His own exemplary perfection as being the good news?
Thanks for the comments Martin.
I think with Good News, or gospel, we have a few things going on. Jesus proclaimed the arrival of a new Kingdom (Matt 4:23), one of grace and entry into it (for all) made possible by his death and resurrection. This is the Good News that Christ preached.
Secondly, the early Christians talked of the Good News of Christ (1 Cor 9:12) and the perfect example (only a sinless – or perfect -person could take the sin of the world away) set by Christ is a sign of the truth of what He preached. Jesus in his perfect nature dealt with sin, and by his perfect nature sets the example which we hold up as testament to this.
Thanks for differentiating that Jonathan. What Jesus proclaimed and what we proclaim as a result. I loop the latter back through the former, the former cannot change, so the latter must. The latter – what we proclaim – is how we are to be the former. Good news. The proclamation of it and the doing of it are reconciled, are the same thing. Love. Everything is reconciled, redeemed in Love.
And Jonathan. Thank you and God bless you. And thank you again. I went to the Quickfire Day at Stafford a year ago and it completely blew me away in all my neo-liberal preconceptions. You were part of that. So thank you. I’ve downloaded the video (legit!) and will be going through it all again.
I’m graceless in the pursuit of grace Jonathan, you are my brother and I’m yours, you’re stuck with me. You, on the other hand are gracious in defense of gracelessness : ) See, I’m a terrible man. John Cleese’ Sir Lancelot in Monty Python And The Holy Grail
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJoM7V54T-c&ytsession=BibSZwevDtrOGMaxjlhEp34w7xscocmuFRAK6-WzTp8yC7lbKLOFNcKAdV3gX_5t39nxJi0pov1cfW1jJB0SvLwReonhQfm_WeaMrg-jBaxHzlCjn9iL4Q-cj5k1hyWhGPgcZM_3bIQTAOy7sz_p0bVi8UF9INuMpKUc0cWaQgHRzOsI7X–qiJjqni8XgwlfkeL95tabu525DAfNxCiHgiCQFHDv3Ddb6am2hnGOZrJkKOEItNyMMlzj97mtVqAZhqQvmGGAx5fg_cPcbsMviydBZPFfRXAbjq_qbfE_FthUqzXAfTyoDzEmCWwXtjDR9tw6TwqcH4and,
I’m ‘in the prophetic’ Jonathan. Anointed. To be an old armchair warrior pacifist. All my 60 years are redeemed for this. A journey through 30 years of cultic chilialist fundamentalism, through evangelicalism to postmodernism. That means Brian McLaren and Rob Bell. And like them I’m inclusive of my, our heritage and community. I’m on the inside peeing in!
So come back at me, let’s have the conversation with no holds barred.
Damnationism dead.
Jesus saves.
Your brother in adversity ; ) Martin
Thank you Martin! I appreciate your feedback. So pleased to hear that you enjoyed Quickfire last year. We’re holding another one this year, in Chesterfield – http://cvm.org.uk/events/events_detail.php?eventsID=919 – I hope you’ll be able to make it!
Thanks for engaging with our blogs and for adding your comments. I appreciate your engagement in our conversation.
I certainly will Jonathan. Wouldn’t miss it. I’ve got a police escort!