The Danger of Customizing Jesus | Wednesday
Devotional
We live in a customization culture. We personalize our coffee orders, tailor our news feeds, and curate our social media to reflect our preferences. Unfortunately, this mindset often seeps into our spiritual lives as well.
Many of us attempt to customize Jesus—creating a version that aligns with our lifestyle rather than aligning our lifestyle with Him. We emphasize the aspects of His character we find appealing while downplaying the challenging parts. We embrace His love but ignore His holiness; we celebrate His grace but minimize His call to obedience.
This customized Jesus demands little and expects less. He affirms our choices rather than transforming them. He comforts without challenging. He saves without sanctifying.
But this isn’t the Jesus of Scripture. The real Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. He invites us to be transformed rather than merely affirmed. His Word sometimes offends us because it confronts our sin and challenges our assumptions.
When we attempt to redefine Jesus to satisfy our desires, we ironically rob ourselves of true satisfaction in Him. Only by embracing the full, uncustomized Christ can we experience the abundant life He promises.
Bible Verse
“But the tax collectors and sinners who heard this all acknowledged God’s justice, while the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God’s plan for them, for they had refused John’s baptism.” – Luke 7:29-30
Reflection Question
What aspects of Jesus’ teachings do you find most challenging to accept, and how might these be the very areas where you need to surrender most?
Quote
We try to customize Jesus. Like we try to redefine him so that it meets my lifestyle and what I want to do.
Prayer
Jesus, forgive me for trying to make You in my image rather than allowing You to conform me to Yours. Help me to embrace all of who You are—Your comfort and Your challenge, Your grace and Your truth. I surrender my desire to customize You and instead ask You to transform me. Amen.