Jesus Does Love You But There Will Be A Change
We were in deep discussion this morning in Bible Study and one of the ladies brought up a phrase that’s tossed around the church house rather flippantly. I will not go into the topic of discussion at this time. I will save it for another post. This is what she said: “Jesus loves you just the way you are.” Jesus does love you, but.
I have heard this phrase used many, many times, and really have not given it a lot of thought until this morning. On the surface this saying sounds true. But, if you think about it, really think about how it’s being taught in many congregations today, it completely demolishes the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and what the church really is.
What is the Real Question?
Before you stop reading this post, let me make it clear that I do believe in the LOVE of God and the LOVE of Christ, Jesus does love you just the way you are. There would be no gospel, no salvation without their unconditional love. Paul teaches in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”
That is not what is in question here. There are many being invited to come and be a part of the church today with no EXPECTATION of change. Come on in and bring your sin with you. It does not matter how you live. We are all sinners. ” Jesus Loves You just the way you are.”
This Simply is Not True
The Scriptures call unregenerate, unbelieving persons sinners, enemies of God, unrighteous, evil and wicked. When true conversion takes place a believer is no longer labeled a sinner but a saint that is holy and righteous. (According to Christ’s righteousness which is imputed to us)
Our discussion in Bible Study this morning was in the book of Romans chapter 6. Prior to chapter six, Paul spent 5 chapters teaching the depravity and corruption of man. He makes it very clear that the wrath of God rests on man because of their suppressing the truth in unrighteousness.
Romans 3 teaches there are none righteous, there are none that are good. The truth of the gospel is that man is dead in his trespasses and sins. Christ died to save us and to CHANGE us.
Titus 2:14 teaches, “Christ redeemed us from every lawless deed, to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” (This is the church.) Jesus does love you just the way you are. However:
If You Are in Christ You Are a new Creature
2 Corinthians 5:16-17 teaches, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
Romans 6:4 teaches, “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:1-11 teaches, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
The Scriptures overwhelmingly teach the need of repentance, turning to God for forgiveness, and placing faith in Jesus Christ.
There is no staying in sin, there is a turning away from the old life.
“To teach that Jesus loves you just the way you are, that it is ok to live any way you please, is a contradiction to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!” Lisa Morris
There is a call to repentance. Repentance is a turning away from sin, and the turning away includes regret and remorse over your sin.
In Mark 1:15 Jesus says, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel.”
In Acts 2:38 Peter says, “Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
In Acts 17:30-31 God is declaring to men,”That all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
Jesus is Proclaiming, Repent and Believe the Gospel
I believe there is an ignorance about what the gospel is in our land. We need to search the Scriptures daily, seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit to teach us the truth.
I have listed below a few questions that each of us need to ask ourselves. After asking these questions we need to go to the Scriptures in prayer asking God to show the answers to us.
*What is the Gospel?
*What was the purpose of the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
*Why did Christ shed His own blood for my soul?
*Why Did Jesus die on the Cross?
* Why was He who knew no sin made sin on my behalf?
*What is the purpose of the church?
*Who is the head of the church?
*Who is the church?
The Gospel Is God’s Power for Salvation
Paul boldly proclaims in Romans 1:16 that he is not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation. The gospel is the power! If we water it down, if we candy coat the truth we are not preaching the gospel at all. According to the Spirit in Galatians 1:8-9, if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the word of God they are to be accursed.
If we love, truly love people the way we say we do, we will teach the truth. Jesus does love you just the way you are but He does not leave you that way!
The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. Matthew 9:37-38
Pray for the equipping of saints with the truth of the gospel, that many be saved!
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I love this! You made it so clear! I’m so passionate in this area! It’s something that’s sadly lacking in churches these days 🙁 your article on the gospel is super well wrote also. I’ve enjoyed them.
I am passionate about it as well!!!! It is so important that we stand for the truth of the gospel. Thanks for your comments. Encoraging to hear from a fellow believer. God Bless.
I have been concerned about this very subject for some time now. It’s important to love people into the church; however, it’s equally important to teach them the truth of God’s Word and what He expects of each of us in order to be accepted by Him! I so appreciate your upholding the Word of truth always over here, Lisa! Sharing your post this week with my readers!
Amen, Ruthie!! We have to use the Truth of His word and nothing else. Anything else is false! Thank you so much for sharing this with your readers! all for His glory! God Bless!
I believe we do need to teach people that Jesus loves them right where they are, that they cannot change by themselves, but need to come as they are. So many times people are led to believe they have to change before they can come to Christ, and that discourages them. We need to teach that Jesus is the one who will work within them to change them into the people He wants them to be. But you are right, we also do a disservice when people are encouraged to stay where they are even after coming to Christ. I’m your neighbor at #TestimonyTuesday! Blessings to you!
I do agree with you Gayl! But there is so much false teaching today about no need to change! Thanks for stopping by today! God Bless:)
The wonderful truth about the Gospel is that God comes to us while we are in our sin. He did this with Abraham when he called him in Ur. We see it beautifully with Jesus who went to sinners’ houses and dined with them. Then when we come face-to-face with Jesus we realize there is nothing we can do to change ourselves. The Old Testament and Paul attest to this. God changes us. This is the message of hope. There is truth in the phrase “Jesus loves you just the way you are” but that’s not the end of the story. It’s only the beginning.
Amen, Rachael!! Just the beginning is exactly right! Thank you for stopping by today:) God Bless!
This is an excellent point that needs to be made more often. God loves us, but He cares about what we do.
Yes, Tara! God does love us and you are exactly right He cares about what we do! Thank you for your encouraging words! God Bless:)
Hi Lisa,
Congratulations on going against the tide of ‘easy believeism’ and ‘greasy grace’ that is so prevalent today in preaching. The topic of repentance is one i believe needs detailed teaching on to prepare us for the times ahead. I have written a book about it and would gladly forward an ebook file if you are interested. It is based on the beatitudes. God bless
Hi, John!!You are so right repentance is a topic that needs to be taught today. Sadly so many do not! I would love to check out your book. Thanks! Glad you stopped by and thank you for your encouragement!Have a wonderful weekend! God Bless:)
Hi Lisa,
Just found your reply; i was looking for it elsewhere. Very happy to forward the book but unclear how to do it without your email address. Regards John
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own for us in this, while we were still sinners Christ died for us. God does love us as sinners, that is why Jesus died. He loves us at our worst, even when he wants so much more from us. The point of the gospel is that God is loving INT for a people to love, not to condemn. It should be our love for Jesus that drives us to repent and grow, not fear of disapproval and judgement.
You are so right Elen!!! So many today are not teaching that Jesus changes you. They are going as far as Jesus loves you just the way you are and stopping there. They are not teaching repentance. That is what I am addressing in this post. By no means am I rejecting God’s grace toward the sinner.