"For we have become partners of Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end. As it is said, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.'" (Hebrews 3:14-15)
I'm struck by the phrase "partners of Christ." I think sometimes Christians regard Jesus as being superhuman, as having powers and abilities far beyond our own, as perfect before God in a way we could never be. Jesus plays a unique role in God's work of salvation, to be sure. But I think that regarding Jesus as superhuman in the long run does a disservice to the Good News. It puts Christ on a pedestal, as it were, so that our notion of him becomes so high and mighty that we can see no real connection between him and us. At the same time, it encourages us to regard ourselves as completely passive, as sinful and unable to do any good, as mere recipients of the good that Jesus does on our behalf before God -- and again we can see no real connection between him and us. But creating a living connection between him and us is the reason Christ became incarnate: bridging the gap between human and divine is the reason Jesus lives. So thinking of Jesus as exclusive Savior and ourselves as passive recipients of salvation ends up actually undercutting the purpose of Jesus' life and ministry and death and resurrection.
But the picture is very different if we think of ourselves as "partners of Christ." By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we actually and actively take part in the work of Christ, we are empowered and enabled to do as Jesus does and love as Jesus loves and live as Jesus lives. Provided that we do not harden our hearts, provided that we open ourselves to the deep and uncompromising love Jesus reveals, then by participating in that love we also become workers of divine works.
How will you be a partner of Christ in what you do today?
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