Is focusing on Jesus all we need to do?

I have read several blogs and articles recently emphasizing the need to avoid focusing on what we do and instead, focus on who Jesus is and what He has done in discipleship. As I read these, I found myself torn. I know where the authors are coming from–the Church has been plagued by legalism (the belief that we please God and earn His favor by obeying rules) and mechanism (the belief that we please God and earn His favor by doing certain things which produce the right effects in our lives). Both of these “isms” take the focus off Jesus and His work and lead the disciple to believe that what s/he does is what is important. Technically, both of these approaches actually make it possible to be a “good Christian” without Jesus.

Of course, this is absurd.There is no Christianity without Christ. There is no pleasing God apart from what Jesus did. In fact, in Christianity there is no God without Jesus, who is God who became flesh (John 1:14). The authors–and preachers–telling us we don’t need to do anything to follow Jesus are usually trying to avoid legalism and mechanism.

But there is a danger in what I am reading. One post suggested that people “stop worrying about studying the Bible and going to church” and start focusing on Jesus. This sounds right on the surface. Our focus should be on Jesus! But Jesus isn’t just Savior, He is Lord–our Lord. For the benefit of Americans this means He has the right to tell us what to do! And our Lord said we should obey Him and His teachings passed on through the Apostles (Matthew 28:20). These include things like praying, studying His Word, worship, and others.

The reality is, suggesting disciples focus on Jesus instead of what He told us to do sets up a false dichotomy. We do these things not just because they “work” (mechanism) and not to gain Jesus’ favor or love (legalism) but BECAUSE He loves us and we are, in return, devoted to Him. John goes so far as to say the obedience that comes from such devotion is how we love Him (1 John 5:3).

It is neither mechanistic nor legalistic to say that we cannot be strong in our faith without doing certain things! We need to pray. We need to worship. We need to study His Word. We need to serve others. We need to be in relationships with others. We need to give. We need to share our faith.

Note–We Need To Do These Things!

God built us this way. These things are as essential to us as breathing oxygen or eating food. No one suggests breathing and eating make us legalistic. In the same way, we should not suggest to new believers (or immature old believers) that they don’t need to do these things–they only need to focus on Jesus. To do so encourages an immature faith that will not see the disciple through difficult times. More important, it is being disobedient to Jesus Himself! Our faith has to be rooted in Jesus. Our motivation has to be our devotion to Him. But this doesn’t mean we don’t need to focus on what He told us to do as well! (See my last post).

Know Jesus and Be Faithful!

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