PERFORMANCE VERSUS RELATIONSHIP
Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." John 6:28, 29, R.S.V.
Is the message of who God is, only another theological issue that adults discuss in groups? Or is it a tangible and relevant concept that even youth may embrace? Let my teenage son, Jeff, give you the insight of his own feelings:
"A lot of kids are brought up in settings where they must perform in order to be accepted and loved. They are expected to get good grades in school in order to keep Mom and Dad happy. They feel they have to be funny or good-looking in order to be popular. They know their teachers will like them if they are well behaved in the classroom. Though this is supposed to provide the incentive to do well, it can be very discouraging when they fail to measure up.
"The problem is that when these same ideas are carried over into relating to God, you know you can never measure up, and it makes you feel like giving up. It's impossible! you think. I might as well not even try! Of course, all this is covered up by an "I don't care!" attitude.
"Jesus understood the problem. When He was here on earth He was asked, 'How are we supposed to do good?' In other words, how can we please God? The Jews were hung up on all the requirements and expectations of the Pharisees. With all the countless rules and duties, they were totally discouraged and thought it was impossible for God to accept them. Jesus set things straight. He told them that what pleased God most of all was for them to develop a personal friendship with Him.
"Over the past few months I have been coming to understand that instead of trying to do good, which is useless, we will naturally want to become more like Jesus when we behold Him. When I acquired this new sense of understanding, my view of God was changed. I feel much freer in His presence. Now I want to grow to improve the relationship instead of trying to meet requirements.
"I think there would be fewer discouraged Christians if they had this understanding. God accepts us, not because of anything we do, but because He created us to be His friends. That's what makes living worthwhile."
Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." John 6:28, 29, R.S.V.
Is the message of who God is, only another theological issue that adults discuss in groups? Or is it a tangible and relevant concept that even youth may embrace? Let my teenage son, Jeff, give you the insight of his own feelings:
"A lot of kids are brought up in settings where they must perform in order to be accepted and loved. They are expected to get good grades in school in order to keep Mom and Dad happy. They feel they have to be funny or good-looking in order to be popular. They know their teachers will like them if they are well behaved in the classroom. Though this is supposed to provide the incentive to do well, it can be very discouraging when they fail to measure up.
"The problem is that when these same ideas are carried over into relating to God, you know you can never measure up, and it makes you feel like giving up. It's impossible! you think. I might as well not even try! Of course, all this is covered up by an "I don't care!" attitude.
"Jesus understood the problem. When He was here on earth He was asked, 'How are we supposed to do good?' In other words, how can we please God? The Jews were hung up on all the requirements and expectations of the Pharisees. With all the countless rules and duties, they were totally discouraged and thought it was impossible for God to accept them. Jesus set things straight. He told them that what pleased God most of all was for them to develop a personal friendship with Him.
"Over the past few months I have been coming to understand that instead of trying to do good, which is useless, we will naturally want to become more like Jesus when we behold Him. When I acquired this new sense of understanding, my view of God was changed. I feel much freer in His presence. Now I want to grow to improve the relationship instead of trying to meet requirements.
"I think there would be fewer discouraged Christians if they had this understanding. God accepts us, not because of anything we do, but because He created us to be His friends. That's what makes living worthwhile."
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