Jesus plus… – ​ 2019.05.25​

Jesus plus… – ​ 2019.05.25​

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Mathew 10, 37-39

Tough words, that’s how it always seems to me. I do not love these words of Jesus at all.
But He said them, He, the LORD whom I love. So I have to accept them, think about them, ask Him what He means and draw my conclusions.
Jesus had only one group of enemies in His earthly life, the devout. Because they put religion in the place of the gospel. One had to keep so many commandments that one did not even come to recognize and live out the love and mercy of God.
I know a young church, only a few years old, they already have this “Jesus plus…”. They believe in the Bible, but if there are points of contention, then the opinion of the leader applies: He said ….. And with that the case is closed. They believe in Jesus plus their leader, and in case of doubt rather their leader.
There is an old church that has centuries of tradition and literature on all subjects. People mix this tradition with the Bible and get “religion”. They believe something in Jesus, but even more in saints, in intercessors, in the mother of Jesus, in her leader etc. Tradition is above the Gospel. People are not free in Jesus, they are bound in their rules and ideas.
But Peter did not mention all this in his letters. Paul also does not write a word about what is important to this old church. Also in the Revelation of John there is nothing that supports this tradition. One only finds Jesus.
Jesus is our address for intercession.
Jesus is our address for every thanks.
Jesus is the one we praise.
Jesus, and not Jesus plus…
Then we become free. Then we are really followers of Jesus. Throw away what separates you from Jesus and His salvation, don’t deal with it anymore. He alone is the Saviour, the Redeemer, the Deliverer, the Lord, who belongs to praise. HE alone and not anyone else.

Thank you, Jesus! How good that you are here! Yes, I praise you and believe and trust you! You are the Lord, my Lord, the past, the present and the future. With you alone I am in good hands. Thank you for being there!


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