Jesus Unedited in an Over Edited World
Look around. It’s happening right before our eyes. Listen up. It’s within earshot. Jesus is edited out of nearly every nook and cranny of our world.
Deemed bold, opinionated, and creative in many aspects of life, I gladly wear the labels for my passions. Speaking events give me opportunities to talk about Jesus. And writing in the non-fiction Christian genre, I pen the name of Christ on the page and screen.
Sometimes the creative juices flow, letting the words spill out as I type and take dictation from God and my soul. However, a great writer must also become a student of another class, Editing 101.
Edit. Revise. Cut. Delete. Modify.
Yet, I find it difficult to let go of words I want to keep. Learning when and how much to hit the delete button. Knowing which sentences to rephrase, and what paragraphs to move and where to place them. And deciphering how to arrange everything in a succinct way—reminiscent of rocket science. Seriously, I believe it’s a spot-on analogy.
Editing takes place in films, books, articles, speeches, radio shows, and news reports. A good tool, editing polishes the final product for your guests, readers, listeners, or viewers.
But when overdone, editing kills the life and energy we first intended. The original meaning lost after all the cuts. Over-editing insists on removing key components from the story for more flavor. Yet, it “throws the baby out with the bath water.”
Over edited, our world follows suit on cultural and spiritual issues. Editing freedom of speech in shows, messages, headlines, cover stories, or articles. (Is this resonating with anybody?)
Jesus Edited
Editing of the key component to my story and the story of life occurs in our schools. Sports events delete Jesus by forbidding prayers in His name. Live television interviews turn awkward when someone mentions the name of Jesus. Re-broadcasts make cuts for political correctness.
Still, even believers participate in modifying Jesus in our conversations, relationships, and workplace. It’s no longer difficult to let go of words we once wanted to keep—careful not to offend anyone. Learning when and how much to hit the delete button about spiritual issues or we are accused of shoving Jesus down people’s throats.
We know which sentences to rephrase for a softer and more acceptable message, even if we compromise truth.
Erasing the name of Jesus. We claim He’s present in our lives. But in an edited, revised version.
We only play the #Jesus card when we need the full, unedited version of Him. Share on XThe world system passed Editing 101 with flying colors. Edit. Revise. Cut. Delete. Modify. Techniques performed on the gospel and on Jesus, the Son of God.
As Christians and the church, we often jump on the Jesus-editing-bandwagon in subtle ways portraying our faith in a subdued light. But nothing about Jesus screams subtle or subdued, my friend. The essence of Christ commands a boldness without changes.
Make no mistake.
Editing #Jesus and His words cause adverse effects similar to warning labels. #world Share on XJesus Unedited
So what about my day-to-day life? Do my lips and life speak the name of Jesus? Is the name of Jesus written across the pages of my story?
Let’s consider Jesus in His unedited version…
God in the flesh came to earth, died a sacrificial death on the cross for the sins of all mankind. Buried in a borrowed tomb and raised to life on the third day. Jesus appeared to over 500 people (who I imagine gave an unedited account of seeing Him).
Christ ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father.
Jesus alone is sinless. He alone reigns as Lord.
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Jesus saves. Eternity is in His hands.
The world edits Jesus to kill the life and energy God first intended in His writings of the Scriptures. But don’t fall prey to editing the King of Glory. Our faith in the Lord and person of Jesus Christ should never lose its original meaning.
While I continue as a student in editing class for good and purposeful writing. I refuse to edit Jesus in my life and words.
Jesus in me is Jesus unedited. Period. #Jesus #blog Share on XImages courtesy of Adobe Spark.
Sometimes I participate in these link-ups: Kelly Balarie/Purposeful Faith, Patricia Holbrook/Soaring With Him, Meghan Weyerbacher/TeaandtheWord, Lyli Dunbar/#FaithOnFire & Crystal Storms/Heart Encouragement.
© 2018 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
Thank you for this wonderful, thought-provoking post! I sat back with my coffee, and enjoyed meditating on it. I love: “Our faith in the Lord and person of Jesus Christ should never lose its original meaning.” Salt that has lost its flavor.
Yes! It IS like salt that loses its flavor when we allow the editing of Jesus and the gospel. May we never fall prey to editing the King of Glory. Jesus saves! Hallelujah! Thanks for commenting, Becky!
Amen Karen! May we push our doubts to the background of our mind with the power of Christ Jesus. Doubt is a tool of the enemy. We must listen to our hearts and share the truths of God’s holy Word. He has inspired us and empowered us to accomplish His will and share the good news of the gospel. We must guard our hearts and minds and let the truth set us free to express the glory of our Savior! Thank you for visiting my site today. Your post here has inspired me. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and may God bless you and your family in all your endeavors.
You’re welcome, Horace. And thanks again for your kind encouraging words for this post. Yes, I pray we do guard our hearts and minds and share the truth. May we never fall prey to editing the King of Glory out of our lives or the world in which we live. Our faith in the Lord and person of Jesus Christ should never lose its original meaning. The essence of who Jesus is demands boldness! Always! Blessings to you!
“…when overdone, editing kills the life and energy we first intended.”
Just a little nip and tuck. What’s the harm? 😉
Thanks for the reminder to live bold and underlined in this italicized world.
Great post, Karen!
What a great way to word it, Vicki! Yes, I do want to live bold and underlined and with a few exclamation points too. 😉 Because writing, speaking, life, and even ministry is not about me. It’s about the One who said “Follow Me.” Thank you for stopping by and commenting! Hugs!
Yes! It is so easy to edit Jesus out. We can talk of meditating with out the word, being spiritual aside from being Christian, or spreading love and light without adding “of Jesus” to the end because that’s politically acceptable. The reality is that only one opinion matters. If only we could remember that, and by “we,” I mean me because I fall prey to the trap from time to time also.
Amen, Brittany. You said it so well. In our present day culture, it’s definitely time to draw a line in the sand, admitting we’re on team Jesus, making no apologies. Blessings! Appreciate you sharing your thoughts and contributing to the conversation.
Great post, Karen. I also have trouble with overediting. This is the struggle of every creative person! But I never want to edit Jesus out of my life or my words. Sharing this on Twitter. Blessings to you!
Sarah, thanks for stopping by and commenting. Yes, the struggle is real to over edit and the opposite in writing, never wanting to “kill our darlings.” To hang onto stuff that needs to go for tight and lean writing. But when it comes to Jesus and His matchless name, I pray we hang onto Him with all our might. Never editing Jesus out of any area of our lives. Blessings!
You have me thinking? I don’t want to edit Jesus out of my words. However, at the same time when speaking to a someone who is not a follower, I don’t want to scare them away or miss the opportunity to introduce them to Jesus. I find it a constant struggle, and I am learning every day in my speaking, teaching, and writing how to find that place where it is comfortable. I find in the circles I normally run it is easy, but it’s when I step out of my comfort zone and stretch into areas where Christ may not be known its hard. Great post!
Thank you. I appreciate you sharing those thoughts. Most of us as believers can relate to that struggle. And, yes, I agree. In our boldness to speak and write the name of Jesus, we ask the Lord for words as He gave to Moses, to speak through us, and to soften the hearts of people placed before us. Even those who don’t know Christ have crossed paths with us for a reason…perhaps a divine appointment. Our job is to be a willing witness for a seeking soul, never stifling our beliefs or our homage to Christ. God’s job is to bring people into the Kingdom. But He uses us for this labor of love…the gospel. Thanks for joining the conversation. Interesting things to discuss! Blessings!
This is a wonderful article. Thanks for posting it. David Jeremiah wrote a book and dvd series a couple of years ago called “I Never Though I’d See the Day: Culture at the Crossroads” which addresses this in 10 different subjects. In my opinion this is the best dvd series ever. At the request of two of the members of our weekly Bible study group, we are going through this series for the second time. Personally I have watched it at least 8 – 10 times. If you can, I would suggest getting and viewing it.
Thank you, Larry. Appreciate your comment and your suggestion on the book and DVD series. I’ll check it out. With our present day culture, it’s time to take a stand. To stand up for God and godly things. Blessings!