Many Christians often misunderstand why they require Christ. While Christ can give us all we require, He is not required to actually receive anything in this world. This post is to clarify why Christ is required in our lives.
Can receive food without Christ
Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.
John 6:27
Jesus wants us to labor for food which He gives that endures for everlasting life. He said this because, if we labor for food that perishes, we will get the food that perishes which will not last forever.
Can receive cure without Christ
When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
Matt 9:12
When Jesus explained that He came to call sinners to repentance so that they can receive eternal life, He compared it with how sick people require physicians. In saying this, Jesus clearly makes a point that sick can get cure without His intervention.
Can lay up treasures without Christ
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matt 6:19-21
Jesus did not want us to lay up treasures in earth where moth, rust destroys it and thieves can break in and steal. He wants us to lay up treasures in heaven. Jesus is not giving us those treasures either in earth or heaven but rather it is we who must decide where we lay up our treasures. Hence, anyone can lay up treasures in earth without Christ.
Can have authority without Christ
And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’
Luke 22:25
The authority of the kings who exercise lordship over gentiles were not from Jesus Christ.
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
Matt 4:8-9
Jesus was tempted by the devil over the kingdoms of the world. Hence, anyone can have authority without Christ.
Can be wiser without Christ
And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
Luke 16:8
Jesus Himself declared that the children of this world are wiser than the children of light. This shrewdness or wisdom did not come from Jesus. Hence, anyone can be wiser without Christ.
Why do we need Christ then?
As you can see, all the previous sections were direct quotes of Jesus. If we can receive everything in this world without the need to follow Jesus, why is He even required? Jesus Himself explains why He came.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish
John 10:27-28a
Jesus Christ, not once promised anything from this world. He promised us with Eternal Life. This does not mean Jesus cannot give anything from this world.
Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Matt 6:30-33
While Jesus can give everything that we need, it is not for us to seek after them. All our needs will be taken care of when we seek His kingdom and His righteousness.
But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; You grew fat, you grew thick, You are obese! Then he forsook God who made him, And scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
Deut 32:15
When I tried to preach the gospel to a colleague of mine, this was his answer: I have everything I need and my life is perfect. Why do I need Jesus Christ? This is one of the reasons why many western nations today are morally bankrupt.
Conclusion
Without Christ, we can receive food, have cure for diseases, lay up treasures, have authority and even be wiser than those who truly follow Christ. So, why do we need Christ? Christ did not promise any of the things of this world. The only thing that He promised to His disciples is Eternal life. I end this post with the words of Agur the son of Jakeh so that we can look into our prayers and analyse what we ask God for.
Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches– Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.
