SIMPLY JESUS — THE CENTER THAT NEVER SHIFTS
Trends rise like waves and vanish like mist; doctrines flare, cool, and are replaced by the next idea that promises to give weary Christians a shortcut to holiness or a formula for spiritual stability. But through every generation one truth has remained immovable, unshaken, radiant with the same undiminished glory: Jesus Himself is the life of His people.
The call of the gospel is not to chase Christian trends but to cling to a Person—“looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Every other focus eventually fractures the heart, but Christ gathers its scattered pieces and makes them whole.
The church has always been tempted to fix its attention on something about Christ rather than on Christ. We drift toward favorite teachings, impressive personalities, or movements that promise deeper insight.
But when Paul wrote from prison, he did not say, “For to me, to live is ministry,” nor “to live is theology.” He wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). Not truth detached from Him; not systems that describe Him; but Christ Himself—the living Christ, the indwelling Christ, the Christ who holds the universe together and still stoops low enough to hold the trembling heart (Colossians 1:17).
Every trend eventually asks for loyalty. Christ alone is worthy of it. Every doctrine eventually becomes a lens. Christ alone is the Light.
When the apostles preached, they did not announce a program—they proclaimed a Person.
Philip “preached Jesus to him” (Acts 8:35). Paul declared, “Him we preach” (Colossians 1:28). And to the Corinthians, caught up in competing voices, he wrote that he had determined “not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). Their world was full of spiritual ideas; Paul answered with a crucified Savior.
The latest trend might stir the imagination, but only Jesus steadies the soul. The latest doctrinal excitement might entertain the mind, but only Jesus renews it. The latest movement might fill a conference hall, but only Jesus fills the heart “with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19).
It is possible to memorize every theological term and yet drift far from the One who said, “Abide in Me” (John 15:4). It is possible to defend a system and yet neglect the Shepherd. It is possible to be fascinated by Christian culture and yet forget the Christ who is “our life” (Colossians 3:4).
So let your mind breathe the name of Jesus. Let the heart return—again and again and again—to the One who never changes. Trends will fade; Christ remains. Ideas will clash; Christ unites. Movements will splinter; Christ restores.
And when all is said and done, when history folds and the ages bow, the Christian will discover what he was made for all along—“that I may know Him” (Philippians 3:10). Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Christ before you, the path of life (John 14:6). Christ above you, the risen Lord who reigns forever (Revelation 1:18).
Not the trend. Not the noise. Not the doctrine detached from its Source.
Only Jesus—always Jesus—ever Jesus.
BDD
