I heard a statement today in a David Platt sermon that I’d like us all to ponder.  I haven’t been able to think about anything else since I heard it.  The statement is (paraphrased): “Nowhere in scripture is Jesus referred to as someone’s “personal savior”.  He is referred to by His followers as Lord, Teacher, Master…”

That is really significant.  I realized that, for me, the term personal savior carries connotations similar to “personal trainer”.  That is, He belongs to me, He serves or provides service to me.  It creates no connotation of my absolute duty and service to Him.  No hint that I was purchased at a price, rather than the other way around.  Certainly no hint that He is my master.  I don’t mean to be irreverent, but Lassie could “save” my physical life and I would be grateful, and “owe” her my life in a philosophical way, but I certainly would not serve Lassie or subject my will to hers.  So if my primary relationship to Jesus is that He is my personal savior, I’ve created a nice, neat theological concept of owing my life to him but not real commitment to following Him with absolute surrender and obedience.

Of course, He is my savior.  Of course, He is both the way and means to salvation.  But those are facts - the term of savior, while accurate,  describes part of who he is - but it does not NOT describe my relationship with and to Him.  That relationship is one of master and servant, lord and subject, teacher and pupil, parent and child.  Calling Him Lord or Master rather than personal savior as my primary identification of our relationship immediately changes my outlook and perception of how I must behave.  Maybe I’m just strange (OK, I know I’m strange)  I guess I mean maybe words don’t paint pictures and influence thoughts for most of you the way they do for me.  But this is a powerful thought for me and the simple change in a “label” really shook my perceptions.

I need to do what He tells me to do regardless of the cost.  If I don’t know what that is, I need to take it upon myself to find out.  Jesus is pretty explicit in his instructions - I can start by reading His words in light of my new recognition of our true relationship. 

good post - my ideas and beliefs are being redefined a bit as well lately… some of it influenced by david platt’s sermons and book…

it’s good though - we’re too busy here (in america) NOT doing what the bible tells us to do to even notice we’re missing it…

it’s nice to read this and know I am not alone - i feel less weird…

Great post Jim!  I never thought of it in that way, but I think you are on to an important realization.  Makes good sense to me.

Same here .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) this morning my wife and I were commenting about a significant shift in our personal motivations in our daily lives because of all the “radical” reading and teaching.  We have felt weird because of the transition we perceive in our lives right now.  We are not alone. 

Normal stinks… hopefully we all start to feel weird.  God’s way is upside down compared to the world’s - the last will be first; he who saves his life will lose it, he who gives it up will save it, blessed are those who mourn…