I Don’t Need Jesus

Many believe they can be friendly and make good moral choices without Jesus. Is that why Jesus came. Just to make us morally good? - Clint Decker

“Saying you ‘need Jesus’ in order to be a good person is to admit that you would be evil without him.” That is from an online discussion on Reddit. The writer frames the mission and message of Jesus around the moral reformation of humanity. Was that the purpose of Jesus? 

Dan Barker calls himself the “Friendly Neighborhood Atheist” and has a song he wrote called, “I Don’t Need Jesus.” He believes he can be friendly and make good moral choices without Jesus. Atheists, agnostics, followers of other religions and people with no religion feel the same way. Some churchgoers agree, but it looks different. They go to church, they believe in Jesus, engage in Christian religious activities, but do not do what Jesus says to do. Like atheists, they prefer to put forward their best effort at what they think is right while hoping there is more good than bad at the finish line of life. 

Such thinking is embraced by millions around the world. It is nothing new or unique in the span of history. Jesus directly dealt with this when He walked the dusty roads of Jerusalem. 

He once bluntly told the Pharisees, a religious group that was always following Him around and publicly questioning Him, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:15) 

The Pharisees had Jesus in front of them in the flesh. They talked with him and engaged Him multiple times. They heard His teachings first-hand and personally witnessed His miracles. Yet, they choose not to trust in Him. Instead, they had their own morality based on the Hebrew Scriptures and their traditions. When they reflected on that, they felt validated by not needing to follow the ways of Christ. 

Jesus saw precisely what was happening, and blatantly told them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men…” This what occurs when someone feels they do not need Jesus, pick and choose what they follow of His commands, or when they live by their own morality. They are like a god unto themselves, determining what they feel is right or wrong, and establishing their own truth. They are at peace with themselves because they have justified their actions. Read how Jesus responded, “…but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Jesus invokes the Creator and Supreme Law Giver and Judge of all mankind. He tells us how the Lord God looks beyond the outward moral choices we make and deep into our hearts. He assesses our attitudes, beliefs, convictions, values and motives. Therefore, when we reject the ways of Christ, He sees the motive beneath it. Then Jesus declares, “For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” The ways of this world may champion the rejection of Jesus for independence and self-determination, but God condemns it.

On the surface we may resent the strong words of Jesus. But is there something beneath it. Love. The Scriptures teach, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12) We are all tempted to go our own way. It is human nature to resist God. In love, He calls us to stop and turn back to Him. This is why He sent His beloved Son to die and rise again on our behalf. He invites us to know Him and follow Him, the One who created us. He came to liberate you, and set you free. Stop resisting and start trusting. Receive your freedom today.      

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray you will help me to see myself through your eyes. May I stop justifying my actions and humble myself before you. Let me see my need for Jesus and follow Him with all my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Halloween and The Face of Evil

Evil is real. It is not a Hollywood creation, nor a fictitious element of the Halloween holiday. Evil also has a face, and it is not Michael Myers. - Clint Decker 

October 31, 1978, teenager Laurie Strodes was in a fight for her life against 21-year-old psychopath Michael Myers. Laurie defended herself, stabbing Michael in the neck with a knitting needle, in an eye with a clothes hanger, and then with a large knife in the chest, leaving him for dead--or so it seemed. (Image by pixabay)

Michael rose one final time to choke Laurie to death when suddenly, Dr. Samuel Loomis, Michael’s psychiatrist, came frantically running into the house looking for him and fired six shots into Michael, saving Laurie and sending him over a second-story balcony to the ground. Loomis walked over and gazed at Myers’ motionless body. But when he went to check on Laurie and came back, Michael was gone. The classic horror movie Halloween ends with the eerie sound of Michael’s heavy breathing in his mask, set against an iconic musical score.

The movie was the most successful independent film ever produced at the time and launched the modern horror movie cinema. Halloween and other similar movies prey upon our natural human interest in the mysterious, the curious, and the forbidden, providing viewers with nightmares as a parting gift.

The movie aptly illustrates a spiritual truth—evil lurks in the darkness. The Bible says, “…people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” (John 3:19) It also portrays how evil can instill the most debilitating fears in us, making it seem as if that “scary” boogeyman cannot be stopped, giving him supreme control over us.

Evil is real. It is not a Hollywood creation, nor a fictitious element of the Halloween holiday. Evil also has a face, and it is not Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees or Pennywise. It is the Devil. He is also known as Satan, the Angel of Light, the Accuser, and the Father of Lies. Jesus said of him, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44) He goes about as a god of this world and like a roaring lion, trying to intimidate, tempt, and devour the unsuspecting.

Does the Devil or some other evil entity lurking in the shadows have the final say over us? He wants you to believe he does. However, Jesus, the Lord over life and death, has something to say: “…do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28) If there really were a Michael Meyers, he would tremble in the presence of Jesus, the Son of God.

Once Jesus came upon the evilest of men, who was filled with demonic spirits that recognized Him and said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” (Mark 5:7) The Devil and his demonic minions knew who Jesus was and feared Him.

When Jesus suffered and died at the hands of evil men in the most torturous way—crucifixion—all hell rejoiced. The face of evil celebrated. However, on the third day, the Devil and all evil men and women under his spell were alarmed to find Jesus’ tomb empty. He had risen! He had defeated the Devil, death, and evil with the mighty blow of His all-powerful resurrection. The Bible says that Jesus “…disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” (Colossians 2:15)

Always remember the goodness of God triumphs evil. The light of Jesus dispels darkness. The courageous faith of a Spirit-filled follower of Christ stands in victory atop every fear.

A prayer for you - Lord God, I confess how I have cowered under the thumb of fear. I pray you will deliver me from the forces of evil and darkness that have captured me. Lift my eyes toward You, the King of kings and help me to fear them no more. In Your Mighty name. Amen.

What is True Freedom?

Freedom is the heart cry of the human soul. - Clint Decker

Zuri screamed, “Mommy help me!” as her slave master, Mr. Nafi, beat her for accidently dropping and smashing a cup of tea for him. Zuri and her family were heartlessly kidnapped and sold for money by members of their own East African tribe to Arab slave traders. For 13 years on the seas, they served their cruel master. One day while in port Zuri was sent on an errand to purchase something for Nafi. The businessowner, Mr. Yacoub, took notice of Zuri as he was securing what her master requested. “What ship do you come from”, Yacoub said. When Zuri mentioned it, he replied, “I know it well and your master.” It was a popular slave port. Yacoub said to Zuri, “Let me go in back and give your master something extra for holding you a little long.” Yacoub came out, gave her a special item, along with an envelope for her master. (Image by Magnific)

When she returned and gave Nafi the envelope, a large smile came over his face as he read and shouted “Yes!” Then he called Zuri and her family together, and told them to quickly gather all their things, “You are no longer mine. Off my ship. Leave! You are Mr. Yacoub’s now.”

When they arrived at Yacoub’s business he welcomed them exclaiming, “Praise God! You are the third family this month.”

Yacoub offered Nafi one month of food and other goods in exchange for Zuri’s family. For 10 years, Yacoub had been using the profits from his business to buy slaves and set them free. Why was he so passionate about this, because he used to be just like Zuri.

Some say that “freedom is the heart cry of the human soul.” But what exactly does freedom mean? Some think it means that you can say and do whatever you want. In that case, was Mr. Nafi free? He was free to buy and sell people and treat them as he chose. His freedom though, took away Zuri’s.

What does the deeper meaning of freedom refer to? What does slavery or imprisonment represent? Evil bondage. Why individuals (or even societies) need freedom is because they are bound by something sinister, that can be something within or without. Zuri needed freedom, because she was bound by something without. Her slave master. What about Mr. Nafi? He was a slave as well, bound by something within. Jesus once said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” (John 8:34) Nafi was enslaved to greed, hate, anger, pride, selfishness and cruelty. He looked at Zuri as the slave, but really, he was a slave too and did not know it.

Jesus declared about Himself, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) What does truth have to do with freedom? Jesus also stated, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

What is true freedom? The ability to do and say as you want? No. Real freedom is found in the truth of Jesus. When He came from heaven to earth to suffer, die and rise again for all people, He did it to see humanity free from the evil within. For those who have trusted Christ they are able to agree with these words, “For freedom Christ has set us free…” (Galatians 5:1)

Originally, we were created by the Lord God to be free, however, because we chose to go our own way, we became enslaved to our selfish passions and impulses, hurting ourselves and others. You no longer need to live this way. Today, step into the rivers of freedom like Mr. Yacoub and let the waters wash over you. 

A prayer for you – Lord God, I am bound by my own vices, impulses and pleasures. No more! Set me free. Today, I turn to Christ and by His power I will no longer hurt myself or others. Unbind me, O God, that I might follow you with all my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.