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Why It's Hard to Love Jesus

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CBN.com - If you hadn't been saved where would you be today? Where would your greed have taken you? Where would your self-centeredness have led your relationship with your spouse and children? Where would you be in life if you hadn't felt the Holy Spirit nudging you to be His servant? And most critically, if Jesus asked you if you loved Him, what would you say?

Moody Bible Institute President Dr. Joseph Stowell seeks to address these questions in his latest book "Why It's Hard to Love Jesus" from Moody Publishers. It was originally published as "Loving Christ: Recapturing Your Passion for Jesus" in 2000. The retitled work has been revised to make it more contemporary for casual readers. In addition, to make it more economically feasible, Moody has made the decision to release it in paperback. The book also contains a wealth of discussion questions designed to make the book applicable for a small group Bible study.

"The book is targeted to people who have grown up in the church," says Dr. Stowell, in a recent interview with CBN.com. "People who keep the rules, people who are really good. People who look at bad people and say, 'Well, I am not like them. God must be really lucky to have me as part of His family."

In "Why it's Hard to Love Jesus," Dr. Stowell contends that there is a little Pharisee in most Christians. In other words, many who are believers in Jesus Christ possess an intrinsic quality in their hearts where worshipping Him is more about being narrow, self-righteous, and being more interested in the strict observance and practice of religion than having a heart filled with an all consuming love for Jesus Christ.

Serving as the main thesis for Stowell's book is the story of Jesus, Simon the Pharisee, and a sinful women, found in :50. In this passage, Simon, who many townspeople believe to be a good, religious person, invites Jesus to his home for dinner. During their meal, a sinful woman (prostitute) intrudes on their meal and proceeds to anoint Jesus' feet with a small container of perfume and her tears. She wipes his feet with the hair on her head. It should be noted that her appearance in Simon's house was considered socially inappropriate but due to her love and devotion for Jesus she could not stop herself from entering. The scripture passage seems to indicate that Jesus had had an encounter with her earlier in the day and had rescued her from sin, forgiving her much. Simon is appalled by her interruption and tells Jesus that he is obviously not a prophet because He would allow such a woman to touch Him. It is here that Jesus says, "She loves me much because she is forgiven much. But those who are forgiven little, love little."

"The stinging point of this story is that Simon was the best guy in town," explains Dr. Stowell. "He kept all the rules. He was a lot like us. He was a lot like me all of us church folk who are spit polished and keep the rules and basically live by the law. Simon didn't think he needed to be forgiven much because he was such a good person. Therefore, he didn't love Christ much. That is why it is hard for us to love Jesus. Because we all have a little Pharisee inside of us."

Dramatically illustrating this concept is a story that opens the book. Many years ago, Dr. Stowell and his wife had the privilege to attend a performance by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Interspersed between rousing renditions of many classic gospel hymns were the testimonies of several choir members. However, these heartfelt proclamations of faith were far from ordinary for these were people who had been delivered from the miry depths of despair. One by one, these former drug addicts, prostitutes, and once hardened criminals ached with joy as they recounted their stories of woe punctuated by the triumphant redemption they experienced by accepting Jesus Christ as their personal savior. As they sang following their testimonies, the spotlights magnified free flowing tears flowing down their cheeks. They had been forgiven much.

"They (choir members) knew what it meant to be redeemed because of what they had been dragged out of," recalls Dr. Stowell. "I think those of us who live in a church world and keep all of the rules that is why we are a lot like Pharisees. We just don't see the need to be forgiven that much."

Ultimately, "Why It's Hard to Love Jesus" is a book about taking a faith that is firmly rooted in empty ritual and transforming it into a dynamic, deeply passionate desire to deepen one's relationship with Jesus Christ. To do this requires a two-fold process writes Dr. Stowell. First, a person must conduct a reality check, or self-study, to determine who you really are in your faith. There is no hard and fast way to do so other than going through a process of deep reflection over a period of time. Secondly, a person must truly understand what Jesus has done for you. Ask yourself where you would be in life if He hadn't die on the cross to save you from your sins. It is hoped that you will realize how offensive and fallen you really are to God, but at the same time figuring how good He is to you.

Says Dr. Stowell, "Jesus has a love language. It is how you treat people because that is the most prized possession to Him, the people who are in your life. Jesus knows you are loving Him and He feels loved by you when you treat people with compassion, forgiveness, care, concern, refusing to gossip, hold grudges, or holding bitterness within you."

In "Why It's Hard to Love Jesus", Dr. Stowell ultimately delivers a work that challenges Christians to ask themselves two critically important questions. They are, "Is there a little bit of Pharisee in you? And if so, what are you going to do about it?"

For those interested in re-examining their faith and wishing to know Jesus Christ at a much deeper level, than "Why It's Hard to Love Jesus" is a book for you. It is designed to unwrap the mysteries of why many believers think faith is built upon good works and not living to love Jesus. I highly recommend this book to those who truly want to commit themselves to a personal journey of desire, a desire to draw closer to Him.

If you answered yes to the aforementioned questions and truly want to go through a process of re-examination then do yourself a favor today and pick up a copy of "Why It's Hard to Love Jesus." You will certainly be challenged but more importantly you will be blessed.


 
 
 

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About The Author

Chris
Carpenter

Chris Carpenter is the program director for CBN.com, the official website of the Christian Broadcasting Network. He also serves as executive producer for myCBN Weekend, an Internet exclusive webcast show seen on CBN.com. In addition to his regular duties, Chris writes extensively for the website. Over the years, he has interviewed many notable entertainers, athletes, and politicians including Oscar winners Matthew McConaughy and Reese Witherspoon, evangelist Franklin Graham, author Max Lucado, Super Bowl winning coach Tony Dungy and former presidential hopefuls Sen. Rick Santorum and Gov. Mike