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Enjoy Life, Enjoy God


Dale Patterson

CHRIST-CENTERED

April 14, 2009

In an increasingly tolerant, diverse culture, it is required that "You do god your way, I'll do god my way." Even Christians are buying it. 

No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does you also will remain in the Son and in the Father.
- 1 John 2:23,24 TNIV

These words are not written for people "out there," but people who grapple with Christ as their Lord. If we don't read our Bible, OR, if we refuse to be informed, guided by the words of God, then tolerance, diversity, everyone doing their own thing...well it may be no big deal. Problem is I keep reading this book. Hear what these words say: to deny the Son is to deny the Father. It is true that others claim access to the Father by ignoring the Son, or even condemning the Son. And true also, I cannot control what others think or believe. These words in John's letter seem to be a direct challenge to the "do your own thing," "every one is cool" trends of the 21st century.

To me these words lead me to one conclusion: Christ-centeredness, and the exclusivity of Christ. It certainly ain't trendy, and yes, it's a stumbling block, but there you have it. If I want to hook up with God, there's no more obvious hook than God's son, Jesus Christ.
Joyfully,

Dale Patterson