Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 1: 6 - 8 NKJV
In the book So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore (Wayne Jacobsen), a pastor weary of his ministry in performance based institutional church is suddenly confronted with a man who he is sure resembles the apostle John in his mannerisms. I was drawn to this book not because it was recommended, but because I truly didn't want to go to church anymore. I'd been there, seen it all. I was tired of the Sunday morning dog and pony show and wondered if this was what knowing Jesus really entailed. Could I know Him without all the trappings of the modern church? As I found out, the answer is yes. It didn't take running into someone who reminded me of a follower of Jesus from long ago in order to convince me that Jesus was real, but the encouragement of a few Godly friends helped me along the way. One in particular spoke to me of a radical idea of Jesus living in me. This friend, who continues to remain nameless despite numerous attempts to disclose his identity, began speaking to me of Christ in me. This wasn't some bible study Jesus...this was Jesus in real life. If I could somehow connect Jesus into my everyday life then perhaps I could have a better relationship with Him? Well, that is the question I'm sure anyone who has considered knowing Jesus as a part of themselves has asked. As Christians, we are confronted with more than a few ways to get to know Jesus. We can be like Jesus, get to know Jesus, follow Jesus etc. Yet, for the most part, our relationship with Him seldom breaches that barrier of our everyday life. I attribute this to the lie that we are somehow separated from God in some way. This was the lie of Satan introduced in the garden {Genesis 3:4-5}. This is the lie which the deceiver proclaimed that we would indeed "Be like God." Well, anyone who has done any reading at all into the creation story knows that we were ALREADY like God before Satan introduced his lie. So much so that we were created in His own image {Genesis 1:27}. Not only that, but the Lord also breathed into us the breath of life {Genesis 2:7}. God has been a part of us from the beginning.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1: 14 NKJV
I guess I'm kind of biased now, but I think that when we talk and teach of Jesus these days that we should be speaking of "Real life Jesus" and not the Jesus of the history studies of the scriptures. Yes, many will see my words as trying to somehow change the scriptures, when all I am suggesting is that we look deeper into them. Believe it or not, there are many who consider Jesus to be dead. That's right, that guy who died on the cross and rose again three days later...He's dead. I wouldn't go so far as to say that. What I would say is that our own understanding of who the man Jesus is...is dead. I've recently taken to referring to Jesus as "The man" Jesus simply because it helps remind me of who He really is. Not only that, but of the man I am in Him. This is seeing Jesus in real life and not as some dead guy who's out of the picture. The apostle Paul recognized the real life Jesus when he spoke of Him in Galatians. It was Paul who introduced me to the reality of Christ in me {Galatians 2:20}. Real life Jesus doesn't just watch over you from heaven but endures each and every day with you. Living in the knowing of real life Jesus means that you understand that everything you will ever experience...you do as Christ who is in you. How can I walk around thinking that my life sucks knowing this about myself? You might not want to go to church anymore, but that in no way means that you cannot live your life as Jesus.
For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell.
Colossians 1: 19 NKJV
~Scott~
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