Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Conversion: birth certificate or drivers license

From Scot McKnight's Jesus Creed, p. 93:
For some, conversion is like a birth certificate while for others it is like a driver's license. For the first, the ultimate question is "What do I need to do to get to heaven?" For the second, the question is "How do I love God?" For the first, the concern is a moment; for the second, the concern is a life.

The Jesus Creed is more like a driver's license than a birth certificate. The difference between the two is dramatic. A birth certificate proves that we were born on a specific date at a given location. A driver's license is just that: a license to drive, permission to operate. If conversion is likened to a birth certificate, we produce babies who need to be pushed around in strollers. If it is like a driver's license, we produce adults who can operate on life's pathways.

The Jesus Creed is about the totality of life, and so conversion to Jesus and the Jesus Creed is total conversion -- heart, soul, mind, and strength.

The Jesus Creed:
"Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all you heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength."
"Love your neighbor as yourself."
There is no greater commandment than these.

1 comment:

dan said...

You're welcome, Kay. Thanks for stopping by. :)