Relationship with Christ: I recently came across a statement on Facebook, plastered across some scenic background, which read: “Judgment Day. Someday it won’t matter how rich you were, what kind of car you drove, what kind of house you lived in, or how popular you were. On that day only a relationship with Jesus Christ will matter.”
Now while there is something true in what it is attempting to say, that all earthly glory fades, and Christ alone matters, there is nevertheless language within it that I passionately dislike, for even sincere intentions do not sanctify careless words when they lessen the glory of Christ. “A relationship with Jesus Christ” has become one of those common phrases repeated so often that few stop to consider what is being said. It tends to reduce the glory of Christ into something casual, mutual, and ordinary, as though He were simply one party in a human arrangement, waiting to enter into terms with us. It places the Lord of glory into the language of modern companionship rather than the language of divine majesty, covenant mercy, and sovereign grace.
The apostle writes, “yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.” II Corinthians 5:16. The days of viewing Him in merely outward, earthly, and natural categories are gone. He is not now to be regarded as men once regarded Him. He is risen, exalted, and declared to be both Lord and Christ. Acts 2:36. To know Him rightly is to know Him as the One seated in glory, entrusted with all power in heaven and earth, the Mediator of the covenant, the Savior of His people, and the Judge of all the earth. How careful then we should be not to bring Him down into the small language of modern familiarity, when the Father has highly exalted Him and given Him a name above every name. Philippians 2:9-11.
The issue is not that Scripture is silent concerning love, union, or fellowship with Christ. Far from it. The Scriptures speak of brethren, of a bridegroom and bride, of children and Father, of members joined to a living Head, of branches abiding in the vine, and of a people chosen in Him before the foundation of the world. But these are not relationships formed by negotiation, maintained by human strength, or initiated by man’s desire. They are born of eternal purpose, purchased by blood, and revealed by grace.
Christ is not merely someone with whom we “have a relationship.” He is the sanctifier, and we are the sanctified. Hebrews 2:11. He is the Bridegroom, and we the unworthy bride. He is the Shepherd, and we the sheep. He is the Head, and His people live only by union with Him. Scripture speaks with greater depth than the thin language of modern religion.
There is also something deeply man-centered in the modern phrase, because it often makes Christ sound like an accessory to life rather than life itself. He is the Lord. He does not enter our world on our terms; He brings us into His kingdom on His terms. If there is any true bond between Christ and a sinner, it is because Christ established it, sustains it, and will bring it to its appointed end. Philippians 1:6.
So yes, on Judgment Day riches, popularity, possessions, and worldly status will mean nothing. But I would phrase the matter differently. On that day, what will matter is not that man claimed “a relationship with Jesus,” but whether he was found in Christ. Whether Christ knew him; whether he was washed in the blood of the Lamb, clothed in His righteousness, and made accepted in the Beloved. MPJ