The next entry for my Blog is You’re the Only Jesus, which was written by Gordon Jensen. The song was first released in 1983. A link to David Wills, of the Imperials, singing the song is at the bottom of the Blog.
If not in you, I wonder where
Will they ever see the One who really cares?
If not from you, how will they find
There’s One who heals the broken heart
And gives sight to the blind?
‘Cause you’re the only Jesus
Some will ever see
And you’re the only Words of Life
Some will ever read
So let them see in you the One in whom
Is all they’ll ever need
‘Cause you’re the only Jesus
Some will ever see
And if not you, I wonder who
Will show them love
And love alone can make things new?
If not from you, how will they learn
There’s one who’ll trade their hopelessness
For give joy in return?
‘Cause you’re the only Jesus
Some will ever see
And you’re the only Words of Life
Some will ever read
So let them see in you the One in whom
Is all they’ll ever need
‘Cause you’re the only Jesus
Some will ever see
So let Him shine, let Him show
Let them see Him in you
You gotta let them know
‘Cause you’re the only Jesus
Some will ever see
And you’re the only Words of Life
Some will ever read
So let them see in you the One in whom
Is all they’ll ever need
‘Cause you’re the only Jesus
You’re the only Jesus
Some will ever see
This particular song is one that is not well known, but I believe it delivers a very powerful message regarding how we impact the lives of others. It is a song which spells out how our actions and inactions positively or negatively impacts others we come across in our lives. I have heard the phrase, which is the title of this song, many times over the years; but I have never truly stopped and taken it to heart. I view myself as a good person, but probably a person who doesn’t always say or do the right things when it comes to others. I believe that most of us are good people, we perhaps have strong family units, some good friends, but we struggle when we get outside of our comfort zone when it comes to people outside of our circle. This song challenges us to step outside of our comfort zone while at the same time reminding us of our role to help others. In the bible in the book of Mark 16:15, we find this command coming from Jesus, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
So what exactly does helping others outside of our circle mean? I am not sure there is a one size fits all answer to this question since I believe there are times when we can be passive in our actions and sometimes more aggressive in our actions. As Christians, we are given the mission to share the message of Jesus, the son of God, wherever we go. I am of the opinion that most of us do not verbally share the message as we should, but it is also possible that people start to figure out who we are by our actions. Think of the times you have been around a small child or children, don’t they often mimic some of our actions? Maybe someone makes the comment, how he or she acts just like their mom or dad. What about when you are watched by others as you go about your daily life and routines, don’t you think that others are watching you? Maybe they don’t know you, but they are just people-watching such as many of us do from time to time. Take the time to do a little self-reflection on what they may see you do and hear you say. Maybe your actions or words seem inappropriate to this casual observer, who doesn’t really know you. Maybe it is someone who works in a place you frequent, maybe it is someone in your favorite restaurant, or maybe it is someone you pass by who is perhaps down on their luck and looking for a handout to get them through the day or a rough period in their lives but hangs out around some of the places you pass by. Now, take a few minutes to dwell on this scripture from James 2:15-20. “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.”
Think about all of the people I referenced above, and then one day one or more of these people hear you talking about church with some of your church friends. These bystanders that have been seeing you can hardly believe that you go to church. Maybe they don’t know a lot about church, but probably have a general belief that the church people try to be good people and go to church to learn to be better. They had some view of God and had perhaps heard about Jesus, but never understand what this is all about. The sad part is when these same people who have been seeing us in our daily lives, had no idea that we were a church person. We never took the time to acknowledge them, perhaps were never kind to them, or perhaps were rude in our overall demeanor. Now these people start thinking that if these are the kinds of people coming out of that church across the street, then I don’t want to be associated with those church people in any way. Since we did not really talk to these people, we never told them about Jesus, and we are judged solely on our actions or lack of action. Not only do we fail these people by not telling them about Jesus; but we have potentially turned them against the church forever. Take a moment and let that last statement sink in. These people have been reading your life to determine what being a Christian is all about. Did they see you help anyone in need? Did they see you engage when someone needed someone to talk to? Did they hear you tell the message about the love of Jesus and eternal life? You see, our role as a Christian is to act like Jesus in every way. Yes, we will fall short because we are not perfect, we are not Jesus. If we all think about what Jesus wants us to do and what he expects of us as Christians (not just church people), and what he commanded us to do; wouldn’t we become the only Jesus some will ever see?
Please take time to think about the message you send to others by your words and actions.
Click to hear David Will of the Imperials sing You’re the Only Jesus