Your Own Jesus traces the downward spiral caused by spiritual compromise with the world, and then charts the upward road to wholeness and health that comes from claiming your very own Jesus. Makes sense. Sounds easy. So why is it so tough for us to find Jesus for ourselves?
Why is it that so many stumble along in the wilderness, year after year, wondering what’s wrong? Why is it so tough to discover Jesus?
It’s because we are blinded by tiny, seemingly insignificant compromises that undermine our connection with God. That principle is true in all of life. If the architect makes compromises in the design and construction of a building, it will not last the test of time. Why should we be surprised, after compromising away much of who we are, that we suffer wounded relationships, discouragement, and personal failures? Until we abandon compromise, we won’t be able to embrace our own Jesus.
Compromise is the assassin of fellowship with God. It’s the chief stumbling block to intimacy with Christ. The only way to overcome the inevitable cycle of spiritual compromise, a tragedy that debilitates so many, is to discover Jesus for yourself. This book will show you all the ways that compromise raises its ugly head every day.
The first half of this book charts the disheartening, downward spiral of compromise that leads so many believers to rely upon someone else’s Jesus. Then, the second half traces the victorious, upward journey that enables us to embrace true, personal fellowship with Jesus. The outlines of this journey have been expressed in the lyrics of the songs in Casting Crowns CD, The Altar and the Door.
Even three decades after Christ changed his heart, Mark Hall is only beginning to understand subtle ways we compromise with this world, depending on the faith of others for deliverance. We can’t borrow our parents’ Jesus. We can’t claim the televangelists’ or pastors’ Jesus. We can’t pray to our small-group leader’s Jesus. Having fellowship with good people doesn’t equate to having fellowship with Jesus. If we are co-dependent on others for our spiritual vitality, our spiritual bodies will atrophy.
We need our own relationship with the one, true God. We can all learn from others, but we can’t thrive by living off their Jesus.
We must each pursue Jesus for ourselves. Whose is your Jesus?
