Beyond the Work: Knowing the Person of Jesus
The Shift from Work to Relationship
For many Christians, the journey of faith begins with gratitude for what Jesus has done: His work on the Cross, His provision of salvation, and His blessings in our lives. These are wonderful truths, and they inspire awe and thankfulness. But have you ever stopped to ask: Is my faith more focused on what Jesus does for me than on who He is?
Today’s reflection in the Abide Above online devotional calls us to consider whether we have moved beyond the objective facts of Jesus’ work to a deeper, more personal relationship with Him. Do we glory in His work alone, or has His very person captured our hearts?
1. The Challenge of True Fellowship
Many of us, if we’re honest, can relate to the tendency to focus on Jesus’ work more than His person. It’s natural—we are deeply affected by His sacrifice and the tangible ways He blesses us. But Scripture invites us to something deeper:
Paul’s Reminder: “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31). Paul directs us to glory not just in what Jesus has done but in Jesus Himself.
True Fellowship: “Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son, Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3). This fellowship isn’t about using Jesus as a means to an end but about finding joy in Him as the end.
The devotional challenges us to examine whether our love for Jesus is centered on Him or if it’s still tethered to the benefits we receive from Him.
2. From Self-Focus to Christ-Focus
When our faith is primarily about what Jesus does for us, there’s a subtle self-focus that can creep in. This isn’t condemnation—Jesus invites us to come to Him with our needs—but it’s an invitation to go further.
A. The Danger of a Transactional Faith
Self-Focused Faith: A faith centered on what Jesus does can inadvertently become transactional. We worship and thank Him, but our focus remains on what we receive.
What We Miss: When our relationship is based only on what Jesus does, we miss the beauty of His person—His holiness, humility, love, and perfection.
B. The Example of the Father
The devotional points to the Father’s delight in Jesus: “This is My Beloved Son in whom is all My delight”(Matthew 3:17). God’s delight in Jesus wasn’t about His works but about who He is. If we align our hearts with the Father, Jesus becomes not just our Savior but the joy and rest of our souls.
3. Resting in the Beauty of Jesus
True fellowship with Jesus means finding satisfaction in who He is, beyond His works. The devotional reminds us:
The Beauty of Jesus: “It is a proof of immense favor from the Father if in our heart’s estimation the Lord Jesus is ‘fairer than the children of men.’” When we truly see Jesus for who He is, our hearts find rest and delight in Him, just as the Father does.
Faith’s Object: “The Lord Jesus Christ is the only object for faith, the only One that satisfies us.” When our faith shifts from self-focused to Christ-focused, our lives are transformed.
4. Walking in the Spirit: A Christ-Centered Life
The devotional offers a simple but profound insight: “If you are walking in the Spirit, the Lord Jesus is the Object before you; when you are walking in the flesh, yourself is your object.”
A. Walking in the Spirit
To walk in the Spirit is to live with Jesus as our constant focus, finding joy in His presence and guidance. It’s not about striving but about resting in Him.
B. Walking in the Flesh
When we walk in the flesh, our focus shifts back to ourselves—our needs, our desires, our efforts. Fellowship with Jesus becomes strained because we’re no longer centered on Him.
This is a daily tension, but the Spirit leads us gently, always pointing us back to Jesus as our source of life and joy.
5. Application: Moving Toward Personalization
So how do we move from a transactional faith to a personal fellowship with Jesus?
A. Meditate on His Person
Spend time reflecting on who Jesus is—His love, humility, holiness, and beauty. Let Scripture guide you to see Him as the Father does.
B. Practice Gratitude for Him
Instead of starting your prayers with thanks for what Jesus has done, begin by thanking Him for who He is. Delight in His character, His faithfulness, and His presence.
C. Surrender Self-Focus
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where your faith might still be self-focused. Invite Him to replace those tendencies with a deeper love for Jesus.
Conclusion: Jesus as Our Delight
As we grow in our faith, we are invited to move beyond simply rejoicing in what Jesus does to resting in who He is. The Father delights in His Son, and we are called to share in that delight. This is where true fellowship begins—when Jesus Himself becomes the object of our faith, the joy of our hearts, and the focus of our lives.
Closing Prayer of Praise
Lord Jesus, You are altogether lovely. You are holy, humble, faithful, and good. We praise You not only for what You have done but for who You are. You are our Savior, our King, and You graciously call us Your friends. May our hearts echo the Father’s delight in You, and may we find our rest and satisfaction in Your perfection. You alone are worthy of our glory and praise. Amen.