In the mid-1990's I was captivated by something secondary to the Gospel of Christ. In a search for ways to help hurting people, I began to explore psychology. The information was good for what it could do, which was to help to explain why people behave in the ways that we do. I learned from authors who detailed the various complexes, phobias, and relational problems that we experience. Those discoveries are extremely valuable in my work as a Pastor , but I have come 'round to the renewed realization that there is no power for change like the power of salvation through Jesus Christ. Psychology may explain why people drink too much, or fail to form intimate relationships, or distrust authority, or live rebelliously... name your problem, and someone will offer a theory about its origins and causes! But, explanations do not always produce transformation.
Counseling, which helps a person understand the patterns of behavior in their lives, is very valuable. A good counselor can help us to reach for emotional maturity. He can aid us in discovering tools that help us to break out of self-destructive ways and addictions. Effective counselors will point the way towards some significant steps in modifying the ways we act. But, only the power of God can bring about a transformation of character and create a new heart in us! As a result of influences around me, a decade or so ago, I was distracted from the true Gospel and began presenting Jesus to people as the Great Therapist. As true as that might be, what sinners need is something more than a Therapist who understands! We need a Savior who can pull us from the muck into which we have fallen under the deception of the father of lies. We need a Light to show us the Way, to life and back home to the love of our Father.
Please do not mis-read this thought. I am not attacking the science of psychology, nor am I dismissing its value as a tool for dealing with dysfunctional human behaviors! What I want us to know is that it has its limits and that at the end of the road of counseling, there is a lesser traveled Way to the Cross, where "anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it!" (2 Corinthians 5:17, The Message)
The Therapeutic Jesus is a Friend that we talk to, sharing our burdens, finding love and understanding. So what's wrong with that? Nothing except that He is more than a Friend. He is the Lord, the Savior, the Mediator who bridges the wide gap between us and our Creator! He not only listens with empathy, He is able to change us and heal us by giving us the Spirit to live in us! The Word says, "He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him." (Hebrews 7:25, NKJV) Another version states the wonderful promise like this - "Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God. ... Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. ... he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins." (Hebrews 7:22-27, NLT)
Believer, have you 'psychologized' Jesus? Have you made Him a kind of super "Dr. Phil" without really realizing it? Do you talk over your fears, problems, failures, and sins with Him but without the expectation that He can do more than just listen and advise? He is the Lord of Glory who came to 'save us from our sins.'
Join Paul in declaring - "Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ. .... I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!" (Philippians 3:10-11, NLT)
Receive Him with new faith. Follow Him to the Cross, into suffering and death, and into a new life marked by the Eternal Life of the Spirit.
__________________
"Ye chosen seed of Israel's race,
Ye ransomed from the Fall,
Hail Him who saves you by His grace,
and crown Him, Lord of All.
All Hail the pow'r of Jesus' Name,
let angels prostrate fall,
bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown Him, Lord of All!"
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