My playlist on shuffle and a favorite band of mine began to play one of their hit songs from 2005. (I know, I know, I’m old). The catchy tune gave way to a simple lyric. In fact, the second verse was a repeat of the first verse. I began to remember the lyric, and it occurred to me that this was a great confession. I have listened to it several times since then because I sensed I needed to put those words in my mouth.
It’s not about me.
It’s all about you.
It’s not about my pride.
It’s all about your truth.
The hope of the gospel is that we don’t have to look at ourselves much. Instead, we look at Jesus. He is the author and perfector of our faith. He is the savior. I know we are involved. It is we who are saved. Yet this simple truth escapes us for the gospel of me.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, It’s all about you
Some focus on what their relationship with God can give them. Rightly so in some sense, but we can easily take it too far. When the center of the message is us, we lose the gospel’s central power. Of course, Jesus wants our lives to be remarkable. I birthed an entire ministry from that concept. The centrality of the gospel is salvation. Within the meaning of that word is healing and deliverance in this life. There can be no arguing with that. Yet, heaven is my ultimate destination and the face of Jesus is what I want to see more than anything in this world. To relegate the gospel to what I can attain on this earth is more than limiting.
On the other end of the spectrum, many well-meaning Christ-followers talk about and focusing on self through the subject of sin. Surely we need to admit our sin, our weakness, our inability to get ourselves to heaven. I agree. But, we can go so much further into a gospel of self-depreciation. We need to repent, but when you are the centrality of what you are talking about, you and your imperfections rather than Christ and His perfection, the gospel is again de-energized. When we take communion, do we think about our sins or about Christ’s sacrifice? While we can see our sins for a moment in the context of being forgiven, Jesus said, “do this in remembrance of me.” Not thee.
And so right here from the start
I open up my heart
And say, Lord, here’s every part
‘Cause it’s all about You
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NIV84)
The hope of the gospel is the relinquishing of ourselves to be caught up into Christ. To be relieved of the burden and only carry His yoke. The excitement of meeting with Him is so life-giving. Loving people through real actions are fulfilling. Giving away what we have is so significant. It is the life that dreams are made of. To give Jesus every part of you is to be totally saved. It is where the freedom lies.