For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
2 Timothy 4:3 (NIV)
The most dangerous idol in modern Christianity doesn’t have a golden calf’s head—it wears a “Jesus” nametag. We’ve mastered the art of creating God in our own image, constructing a deity who conveniently agrees with all our opinions and never asks us to change. This DIY divinity might soothe our conscience, but it’s light-years away from the Christ of Scripture.
“What Would Jesus Do?” has morphed into “What Would I Like Jesus to Do?” We’ve traded the revolutionary Rabbi from Nazareth for a cosmic genie, always ready to serve our needs and affirm our choices. The chorus of Trading My Sorrows, “Yes! Lord!” takes a whole new meaning. It’s not us saying “Yes!” to God. But God saying “Yes!” to us!
This isn’t new. Paul warned Timothy centuries ago. People would seek out teachers who’d tell them exactly what they wanted to hear. Fast forward to today, and we’re experts at it. We’ve become spiritual interior designers, creating a Jesus who fits perfectly into the decor of our lives. This has got to stop!
Let’s be honest. We all have our favorite Jesus. Maybe it’s the gentle shepherd Jesus who comforts us in trouble, or the revolutionary Jesus who challenges the status quo, or perhaps it’s the miracle-worker Jesus who promises prosperity. These aspects of Jesus are real, but when we fixate on one at the expense of others, we create a caricature, not the REAL Christ. We don’t like “the Real Jesus,” who speaks the truth and makes us uncomfortable because of our sins.
The danger is subtle but severe. When we customize Christ, we’re no longer following Jesus; we’re following a projection of our desires. We cherry-pick the teachings that suit us and conveniently ignore the rest. “Love your neighbor? Absolutely! Love your enemies? Well, wait a minute there!”
This tailor-made theology has real-world consequences. It leads to a faith that’s a mile wide and an inch deep. We end up with a Jesus who never challenges us, never makes us uncomfortable, and ultimately, never transforms us. It’s Christianity without the cross, redemption without repentance, grace without growth.
“If your Jesus never disagrees with you, you might be worshiping an idealized version of yourself.” – Tim Keller’s words cut to the heart of this issue. The real Jesus – the Jesus of the Bible – will inevitably challenge our assumptions, confront our sins, and call us to radical obedience.
So, how do we resist the urge to customize Christ? It starts with humility. We need to approach Scripture with open hands and hearts, ready to receive the full counsel of God—not just the parts we like. We must be willing to wrestle with Jesus’s challenging teachings, not just the comforting ones.
The journey won’t be easy. Sometimes, the real Jesus makes us uncomfortable when His words challenge our traditions, beliefs or behaviors. But that discomfort is the growing pain of true discipleship. Embrace it. It is for your own good!
Godseekers, let’s commit to knowing and following the real Jesus, not just the version that makes us comfortable. In a world full of customized christs, let’s be people who cling to the faithful, unfiltered, uncompromised Jesus of the Bible. He’s far more fascinating, challenging, and transformative than any version we could create. Let’s embrace the Christ who comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. He calls us to conform to His image, not vice versa.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, forgive us for the times we’ve tried to remake You in our image. Give us the courage to embrace You as You truly are, not just as we want You to be. Help us to love Your whole character – Your justice as well as Your mercy, Your holiness as well as Your love. Shape us into Your image, rather than letting us shape You into ours. In Your name we pray, Amen.
Personal Reflection
- In what ways have you been guilty of “customizing” Jesus to fit your preferences?
- What aspects of Jesus’ teaching or character do you find most challenging? How can you engage with these more deeply?
Step of Faith
Today, choose a passage from the Gospels that you’ve often overlooked or found difficult. Spend time meditating on it, asking God to reveal more of His true character to you through it. Then, consider how this aspect of Jesus might challenge or change your life if you took it seriously.
