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.