The SECRET Message of Jesus

He did it . . . again!

Last week I posted a blog about finding The Forgotten Bible, which contains (among numerous other passages) excerpts from “The First Book of Enoch”. Since then, I’ve added these texts to my daily “quiet time” alone with God (which includes reading a modern translation of the standard Bible).

While perusing a college bookstore this week, I came across The Secret Message of Jesus by Brian McLaren. Just glancing over the contents and various pages was enough to whet my appetite and put this title on my “must-buy” list.

McLaren’s book is a a hot dicussion topic for both Christians and non-Christians. His premise is that the true message of Jesus of Nazareth was not all about escaping hell/going to heaven someday after we die. Rather, Jesus taught and demonstrated a radical lifestyle that transforms people in the ungodly system of this world into citizens/children in the kingdom of God on earth.

What’s the big secret about that? Aren’t these principles clearly taught in the gospels and epistles of the New Testament?

The answer to the latter question above is “Yes”. Of course they are. The problem is 2000-plus years of organized religion have somehow caused even the most devout, sincere believers to focus more on the afterlife and not on following Jesus daily in the here and now.

Jesus wouldn’t be pleased with such an attitude. If nothing else, He would have His followers forget about their own self-interests (present and future) and focus on improving life for all those around them.

Remember, it’s more important to follow Jesus than it is to be accepted as a Christian.