|
 What's
wrong with this picture? Can you see it? It's a reflection of
a mountain in a lake, but the reflection is clearer than the original
image. That can't be, can it? What's wrong is that the picture
is upside-down.
There's a similar problem with Christianity. People look at
Christians or the church, thinking they have a clear picture of what Christianity is all
about. That's where they make their mistake and many turn away from
Christ as a
result, as did I.
But Jesus never said that the church was the way or even that
Christianity was the way. He simply said, "I am
the way." Only by looking
directly to Jesus Christ can one understand Christianity. Even on
the best days, Christians are just imperfect reflections of Jesus Christ,
dark and distorted by comparison. When the skies get dark and the water gets
choppy, there may be no
reflection at all. If you wanted to appreciate the
majesty of a mountain by a lake, would you look at the mountain, or look
at it's reflection in the water? Similarly, if you wanted to know Michelangelo, would
you seek him and study his works or would you study the works of students
who were inspired by his greatness?
As with the mountain, looking at reflections inspired by Jesus will
only give you a confusing set of changing images that each will have only
a slight resemblance to the original. As with Michelangelo, each student
will only reflect some small facet of the master, which, when blended with
their own limitations, obscures the master's greatness. Imagine
others trying to judge you by studying those you work or associate
with. Would they really know you, or would they just get a set of
conflicting impressions that only reflected a very small part of who you
really are?
Don't settle for a distorted, upside-down view of Christianity. Go
get the
clear
picture that is found only in the words spoken by Christ himself.
You'll find them in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. You
might be amazed at how much clearer your picture of God becomes.
"I
am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well.
Words of Jesus Christ, in John 14:6-7 |
