Jesus Plus______?

What are you adding to the finished work of Jesus?

The subject of Folk Islam has long been taught around the world by Global Initiative team members as a part of equipping believers to reach Muslims. Most of the world’s Muslims engage in folk practices, and many of our teaching assignments globally include this important area of study. In a nutshell, Folk Islam, or Popular Islam, is the blending of Islam and animism. Allah, as revealed in the Qur’an, is impersonal and unconcerned with the day-to-day lives of Muslims. He is above all and transcendent, but between the distance of humankind and the divine a very active spirit world exists! In light of this, many Muslims seek protection from spiritual beings and a renegotiation of their written destiny through wearing charms and amulets, visiting shamans, and other folk practices. In short, they take matters into their own hands under the distant shadow of an unknowable deity.

In contrast, the Bible reveals a God Who comes close, close enough to be clothed in flesh (John 14). So close that He dwells within us (1 Corinthians 6:19). He is not distant but invites us into relationship with Him (2 Corinthian 5:18), to know Him (Hosea 6:3). He is the One Who holds all things together (Colossians 1:17), and there is salvation in no one else (Acts 4:12). For He is the only One Who can make us righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Yet, many Christians today are tempted to engage in their own forms of folk practices. While most believers would oppose dabbling in the occult, visiting psychics, or playing with Ouija boards, for many of us, folk practices appear in more subtle forms. They appear in how…

• we look to Jesus for our ultimate salvation from sin but look to ourselves for our daily bread.

• we believe that God loves us, but we look to others to feel accepted.

• we’ve memorized the words to “Amazing Grace” but still want to earn our spot in the sky.

• we want God to direct us but won’t give up control of our lives.

Tragically, for many believers, salvation is Jesus, plus _________ .

But we don’t have to live that way. The Scripture is clear: Christ is all (Colossians 3:11).

• For our provision, He is all.

• For our self-worth, He is all.

• To discern the direction to take each day, He is all.

• For our salvation, He is all.

We never have to add anything to Him, and He will always be enough.

To you, dear Reader, Jesus extends this invitation: “Make Me your all in all.” No need for folk practices in any form. No need to look elsewhere.

No need for Jesus, plus anything.