Following Jesus Is So Much More Than A One-Time Decision
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Following Jesus Is So Much More Than A One-Time Decision

We need to preach with the long-term in view.

170
Following Jesus Is So Much More Than A One-Time Decision
Ben White

I have been a Christian for 7 years. When I first stood up at a youth retreat when I was 14 to "commit my life to Christ" (as those of us in the "we're charismatic Baptists but we don't like labels" camp liked to say), I had little sense of what that actually meant in the long term. But what I did know was that the Jesus whom I had met over the previous year in the pages of the Gospel of Matthew was calling me to a radically different way of life and being. Under the guidance of the Spirit, I began to follow this Jesus and, ever so slowly, I began to imitate him. But I had little sense of why the way of Jesus was this way and not another. I knew only that he was Jesus, that he loved me, and that I was to obey him.

But I also knew that that couldn’t be it. I had always been troubled by the vision of the Christian life preached to me of “soul-winning”- if all we are to do is “win souls”, and the purpose of those “won souls” is to go on and win more souls, what’s the ultimate purpose of it all? What will we do once all those souls have been won? Are we really going to enjoy sitting on a cloud as disembodied spirits singing songs to God forever? I knew I was supposed to be excited about that, but frankly it just seemed boring.

All that began to change when I entered college and joined a campus ministry run by the Coalition for Christian Outreach. For the first time, I was surrounded and taught by Christians who had a strong sense of eschatological purpose that was driven not by dualist escapism, but by a vision of God’s plan in both creation and redemption. I came to understand that our lives in the present are governed both by the original vision of the Creator in Eden in the past and by Christ’s return to judge humanity and restore and remake all things in the future. This vision has been shaped in me primarily through the books I have read over the last three years, and no author has been more influential in this than N.T. Wright.

I had already been exposed to these truths my freshman year through talks at my campus ministry, Sunday sermons, the Jubilee Conference, and some entry-level reading. But it was reading Wright’s "Surprised by Hope"my sophomore year that gave me my first thorough Biblical examination of the doctrine of the resurrection. I remember starting the book rather unenthusiastically, daunted by the prospect of really thinking about death and feeling fuzzy on the whole concept of future resurrection. By the time I finished, I found myself indeed surprised by the hope of the resurrection.

The summer after junior year, I found myself reading another Wright book entitled "After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters". Wright’s basic thesis is that the Christian life is best understood neither as a matter of rules, good and helpful as they may be, nor as authenticity to one’s self in the modern sense. Instead, it's about character.In Wright’s understanding, Christians learn how to behave through the cultivation of virtue. He is here evoking the classical tradition and Aristotle’s concept of aretē, known to Latin writers as virtus.

This is formed by the consistent, day-to-day choices a person makes, and in the long term, it sets the way a person will respond in situations for which they have not specifically prepared.

These virtues are cultivated with a particular telos, or goal, in view. The key differences between the pagan conception of virtue and that of the New Testament are a) their ultimate vision of human flourishing, b) which virtues they aim to cultivate, and c) how they go about cultivating these virtues. The key point here is that Christian character “doesn’t come by accident. It comes through the self-discipline required to do anything in life really well- to learn a musical instrument, to mend a tractor, to give a lecture, to run an orphanage. Or, indeed, to live as a wise human being” (Wright 2012:23).

So press on towards that goal. Leave behind all that unbiblical talk of saving souls from the earth to snatch away into heaven, and exchange it for a life lived towards the resurrection and the restoration of all things. Trust me. It's worth it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71461
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

133485
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments