IS JESUS ENOUGH?

John 21:15 “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?”

If Jesus was all you had, would Jesus be enough for you? While that may sound like an odd question it really isn't. You see, many believers, today, are in love with the things of the Lord, but they are not in love with the Lord Himself. Many Christian workers and preachers are in love with the Lord's work. Almost without realizing it, the work of the Lord becomes more important than the Lord of the work.

People seek new teachings or new ideas. The more they receive the more they want.

They are seeking things – words, teachings visions, dreams – but they are not seeking the Lord Himself. Is Jesus enough?

When Christians gather together most of the activity is focused on “one another”. This is important, but it's not the most important thing. Fellowship is good, but is Jesus enough?

Meetings are good, but is Jesus enough? Special speakers and special music are good, but is Jesus enough? Even singing hymns, songs and choruses to Him, it is possible to sing about Jesus and not truly worship Him. With preaching and teaching it is possible to talk about Jesus and not truly meet Jesus in what is shared. In prayer it is possible to talk about our needs and never actually commune with Jesus Himself.

I have learned through the years that stress, strife, disillusionment, dissatisfaction, bitterness, anger, hurt, misunderstanding and confusion come from everything said and done by religious people about the Lord, and in the Name of the Lord, but does not, in fact, have anything to do with Jesus Himself.

How much of your focus is directed to the things of God, and not to God Himself? How much of your discussion centers on things about Jesus, and not Jesus Himself? Look around the Christian world. This brother is focused on end time events. This sister is devoted to hospitality. One is primarily interested in spiritual warfare, while another is interested in theological discussions. Yet another one is in love with Christian music.  One movement emphasizes this particular thing, and another group stands for another thing. Yet there is only one Jesus!

Just as some people can't see the forest for the trees, perhaps most sinners can't see Jesus for the Christians. Perhaps most Christians can't see Jesus for the church. Is Jesus enough?

The call of the Lord is not more important than the Lord of the call. The work of the Lord must not replace the Lord of the work. Knowing the Word of God does not necessarily mean we know the God of the Word. Everyone wants to go and do something for God, but few people are willing to stay and do nothing for Him. Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God...”

Jesus asked Peter, “Am I enough for you? Do you love Me more than everything else? Do you love Me more than you love the things about Me?” A few weeks later, when Peter stood with John before the religious rulers to explain the healing of a man who had never walked, “...they marveled and they took knowledge of them (Peter and John), that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13b). If we will be with Jesus, then Jesus will be with us!

The secret to the power of the New Testament church, was they had been with Jesus.

Some Christians, today, are more in love with methods and ministries than they are in love with Jesus. Remember Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-41). We should learn to quietly spend time in His presence “sitting at His feet”.

When missionaries love church planting and mission work more than Jesus, then they are saying that Jesus is not enough. When evangelists love traveling, preaching, and holding meetings more than they love Jesus, then they are saying that Jesus is not enough. When pastors love their church services and building programs more than they love Jesus, then they are saying Jesus is not enough. When teachers love their teachings more than they love Jesus, then they are saying Jesus is not enough. When preachers love their preaching more than they love Jesus, then they are saying Jesus is not enough. When ministers love their ministry more than they love Jesus, then they are saying Jesus is not enough. When musicians love their music more than they love Jesus, then they are saying Jesus is not enough. When writers love their writings more than they love Jesus, then they are saying Jesus is not enough. And when the simplest disciples grow tired of just being with Jesus, and begin to long for something bigger, something better, something greater, something more powerful, something other than what they have in Jesus already, then they are saying that Jesus is not enough.

If Jesus was all you had, would Jesus be enough for you? Or do you have to have all the “trappings” of Christianity, all the bells and whistles, all the toys and trinkets.?

Make no mistake, there is no life in the things that are about Jesus. There is life only in Jesus Himself.

If you are dissatisfied and disappointed with your Christian walk today, it is only because of one thing: Jesus is not enough for you. Somewhere along the line, something else became more important than Jesus. Maybe you've become focused on the things about Jesus that are not Jesus. There is but one solution. You do not need more of the Lord, because He has already given Himself completely to you already. You just need less of everything else!

Remember the Church of Ephesus. Rev. 2:2-5 “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how that canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: and hast borne, and has patience, and for My Name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”

Remember what it was like to be so filled with passion and love for Jesus, that you wanted nothing more than to sit at His feet, and hear His Word? Remember when you was so infatuated with Jesus that you didn't want to do anything else? Remember what it was like to just be with Jesus? Go back to the time when all you had was Him. Go back to the time when there was no work, no ministry, no vision, no special calling – except Jesus calling you to be with Him.

Remember when you said, “He's all I need!” What if you quit doing everything God never told you to do?

I pray the Lord will draw us after Himself and make us thoroughly sick and tired of things – especially the things that are about Him, but are not Him. Remember, IT'S ALL ABOUT JESUS!!!

Is Jesus enough for you?

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog. If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost this blog.