In “Dissident Discipleship”, the chapter on authentic witness has helped me understand how I got on the path which formed the character of my relationship with Jesus for most of my adult life. The author points out that the most common question or concern expressed when Christian’s share their faith is “What can Jesus do for you?” He quotes Jim Wallis regarding modern conversion:
Modern conversion brings Jesus into our lives rather than bringing us into his. We are told Jesus is here to help us do better what we are already doing. Jesus doesn’t change our lives, he improves them. Conversion is just for ourselves, not for the world. We ask how Jesus can fulfill our lives, not how we can serve his Kingdom.
As I contemplated the idea of modern conversion, I came to the conclusion that it describes the nature and character of my own conversion. My relationship with God was all about Jesus helping me to do better, be happier, better adjusted, more satisfied, and more prosperous and successful. The recent changes that have and are occurring in my life are centered in coming into the life of Jesus. I am experiencing conversion. It is not about self-improvement, it is about being created new. That changes everything. Asking how I can serve his Kingdom is dramatically different than continually asking what can Jesus do for me?
In the midst of this conversion, I have come to realize that my witness continues to be mostly shaped by “What can Jesus do for you?”. It is my default mode. It is a cruel irony that all the while I am struggling to find my way into the life of Jesus, I am selling others on what Jesus can do for them.