Pastor's Corner: Christian without Christ?

Jesus Christ is very important for Christians. That’s not really a surprise, since it’s in the name. Without “Christ,” a Christian would just be “-ian!” That’s pretty nondescript.

Of course, people who are outside of Christianity may not always understand just how central Christ is, or in what ways he is central. And even Christians can be distracted. A little piece of cardboard isn’t very significant, but if we hold it in front of our eyes it can block out the sun. In the same way, a lot of things that are smaller than Christ and peripheral to Christianity can become major distractions.

There is a passage in the book of Ephesians which helps us to understand (or to remember) the centrality of Christ from a Christian point of view: Ephesians 3:8–12.

First, Christ is central to the Christian message. Paul marvels at his privilege in being able to preach “the unsearchable riches of Christ.”

Second, Christ is central to creation. Paul speaks of God as having “created all things through Jesus Christ.” Christ is not an afterthought, a late development or even just a response to the problems of humanity. All that exists is through Him.

Third, Christ is central to God’s eternal plan. Paul speaks of God showing His manifold wisdom “according to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Before there was a creation, Christ was already central. In everything God has done or means to do, Christ is central.

Fourth, Christ is central in the Christian life. It is “through faith in Him” that we have boldness before and access to God. In other words, prayer is unthinkable without Christ. No kind of piety is possible except through Christ.

More could be added from other passages. But this should make it clear that asking Christians to tone down their emphasis on Christ is asking for the impossible. Our real challenge is to speak of Him as we should, not to find ways to sideline Him. There is no Christianity without Christ.