I Am Not The Christ

It is such a thin line.  But overstepping it makes all the difference whether the Gospel is good news or not.  That is the line between witnessing to Christ and confusing yourself with Christ.  John the Baptist (John 1:6-8, 19-28) knew exactly where to draw that line:  “He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.  He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light” (1:7-8).  He was very intentional and urgent about his responsibility to testify concerning Christ, but emphatically proclaimed “I am not the Christ” (1:20).  Too often one recognizes the danger of Christians overstepping that line.  When there is no humbleness about our own fallibility; when, as a consequence, we start believing our beliefs rather than staying within the limits of only pointing to the One in whom we believe; when, ultimately, their faith become an ideology to shove down the throat of others rather than trusting the work of Christ’s Spirit through our humble efforts of preparing the way.  You and I will not be the example to follow today.  Christ is.  You and I do not have to force any issue.  Christ’s Spirit will bring growth where we plant and give water today.