For many Christians, Jesus is merely a subject of systematic theology, instead of the living Lord who they humbly obey. Until our desires, feelings, and opinions have been freely surrendered to the authority of the risen Jesus, we won’t understand His Lordship.

To say, “Jesus is Lord,” while following your own desires, feelings, or destructive thoughts and behaviors is a contradiction. Jesus wants to disconnect us from harmful and/or destructive thoughts and behaviors, but too often we keep trying to hook up with them again.

Academic Christianity makes church a school and Jesus a lesson. It puffs up the mind, but leaves the heart anemic. Jesus didn’t die and rise again to be a visitor in your heart, but to take it over and fill you with passion and strength to obey Him daily.

Christianity’s not an entitlement program with benefits to suit your fancy. It’s a call to surrender your desires, feelings, and opinions to Jesus. Conforming to religious expectations isn’t the same thing as daily following and obeying the risen Jesus.

Whether you’re right or you’re wrong, if you don’t show love, you’re off target. The risen Jesus calls His followers to love people who hate. Our current situation is revealing the church’s failure to train Christians to love all people and to bless those who curse us.

Christ, living in me, makes me love everybody. (I don’t agree with everybody but I want health, happiness and well being for all.)

If there’s a hot spot in your heart for the living Jesus, now is the time to log on and stay logged in 24/7/365. (If not, get one.)

Dim light can be dangerous because it makes people think they see better than they really do. History shows that when Christianity gets entangled with politics, rather than bringing politics up, it gets pulled down. When political views become a greater focus than love for Jesus, Christians turn against each other. If you can’t or won’t see things from another point of view, you’ll be stuck with your own.