As many of you know, I’m not only the lead pastor here at CommUNITY Church, but I also work full-time at Anthem, Inc as a Sr. Technical Project Manager. What does that mean? The easiest way to say it is this - I lead technology teams in hardware and software systems design, development, and deployments… We design it, build it, and make it available for the enterprise to use.
Within that area, most software is written to “bolt on” to the already-existing system. In other words, the “core system” works pretty well, there are just some changes and tweaks we need to make from time to time to allow it to work better or handle different types of files, or sometimes to talk to other software. We don’t change the “core,” but we do add pieces (or “bolt on” new code) that allows that “core” to expand its capabilities. Make sense?
When we need to build new software (i.e., a new “core”), the process is much longer, much more in-depth, and the costs are usually much higher. Many times, executives and decision makers don’t want to build new because of these issues and concerns. Many times, a “bolt-on” is requested so time, resources, headaches, and money can be saved.
Ok, so, the three of you who are still with me, let’s take this from the technology world over to the “Jesus world.”
Too often, we view our Christian walks as “bolt-on” to what we already have. We think that if we just sprinkle a little more Jesus onto a situation or relationship or need, then our “bolt-on Jesus” will save us time and headaches, and not force a complete change to our “core system.” And we go through life thinking that the “Jesus app” will come along side our “life app” and make it happier, easier, healthier, better, etc.
This is why we see a statistic that 80% of our nation considers themselves “Christian” but a MUCH smaller percentage actually will say they hold the Bible to be God’s Word that’s inerrant (without error) and infallible (unfailing) and inspired (God’s TRUE words uttered by God Himself). A MUCH smaller percentage will actually say they believe Jesus Christ is God’s Son, Who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and died a substitutionary atoning death for all who believe, was resurrected on the third day, ascended to Heaven where He currently resides at the right hand of the Father, and will one day return to claim His Church and establish His reign forever. In fact, I’ve read the statistic drops from 80% to about 12%.
Within that area, most software is written to “bolt on” to the already-existing system. In other words, the “core system” works pretty well, there are just some changes and tweaks we need to make from time to time to allow it to work better or handle different types of files, or sometimes to talk to other software. We don’t change the “core,” but we do add pieces (or “bolt on” new code) that allows that “core” to expand its capabilities. Make sense?
When we need to build new software (i.e., a new “core”), the process is much longer, much more in-depth, and the costs are usually much higher. Many times, executives and decision makers don’t want to build new because of these issues and concerns. Many times, a “bolt-on” is requested so time, resources, headaches, and money can be saved.
Ok, so, the three of you who are still with me, let’s take this from the technology world over to the “Jesus world.”
Too often, we view our Christian walks as “bolt-on” to what we already have. We think that if we just sprinkle a little more Jesus onto a situation or relationship or need, then our “bolt-on Jesus” will save us time and headaches, and not force a complete change to our “core system.” And we go through life thinking that the “Jesus app” will come along side our “life app” and make it happier, easier, healthier, better, etc.
This is why we see a statistic that 80% of our nation considers themselves “Christian” but a MUCH smaller percentage actually will say they hold the Bible to be God’s Word that’s inerrant (without error) and infallible (unfailing) and inspired (God’s TRUE words uttered by God Himself). A MUCH smaller percentage will actually say they believe Jesus Christ is God’s Son, Who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and died a substitutionary atoning death for all who believe, was resurrected on the third day, ascended to Heaven where He currently resides at the right hand of the Father, and will one day return to claim His Church and establish His reign forever. In fact, I’ve read the statistic drops from 80% to about 12%.
The first statistic represents those who view Jesus as a “bolt on” to their lives as an enhancement and a way to make it better, but without any change to their core, because change hurts and no one desires a “complete rewrite” of their entire life.
…but…
That’s EXACTLY what Jesus does.
King Jesus is not a bolt-on to our lives - He is a COMPLETE rewrite of our entire core, our entire being. He doesn’t just “fix our bad pieces.” He makes us NEW. BRAND NEW. That’s why we’re encouraged "to put of the old man, and put on the new man, created (or recreated) after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Does that mean we’ll be perfect? NOT YET!!! New software still has bugs and kinks to work out, as do we… but it means our core is changed. Our desires will change. EVERYTHING in us and about us and through us will change as we allow the MASTER PROGRAMMER to continue to use His Word to write into the code and core of our lives.
So, stop thinking it’s ok to go on with your old ways if you just “bolt on” or sprinkle some Jesus in your life, and start thinking you’ve been made new. Reborn. Now for a purpose to glorify Him who made you new…
The time and process and pain that can be felt from being made new is REAL. No one denies it… but the potential and possibilities for your new “core” is LIMITLESS because GREATER is He who is in you than he who is in the world! You can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens you!!
So go live like it!!!!!
…but…
That’s EXACTLY what Jesus does.
King Jesus is not a bolt-on to our lives - He is a COMPLETE rewrite of our entire core, our entire being. He doesn’t just “fix our bad pieces.” He makes us NEW. BRAND NEW. That’s why we’re encouraged "to put of the old man, and put on the new man, created (or recreated) after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Does that mean we’ll be perfect? NOT YET!!! New software still has bugs and kinks to work out, as do we… but it means our core is changed. Our desires will change. EVERYTHING in us and about us and through us will change as we allow the MASTER PROGRAMMER to continue to use His Word to write into the code and core of our lives.
So, stop thinking it’s ok to go on with your old ways if you just “bolt on” or sprinkle some Jesus in your life, and start thinking you’ve been made new. Reborn. Now for a purpose to glorify Him who made you new…
The time and process and pain that can be felt from being made new is REAL. No one denies it… but the potential and possibilities for your new “core” is LIMITLESS because GREATER is He who is in you than he who is in the world! You can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens you!!
So go live like it!!!!!
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