Is It Enough To Just Love Jesus?

I admit – the question itself sounds heretical.  A pastor questioning something like loving Jesus isn’t exactly the way to garner much support.

So before you write me off from the start, let me try to explain.

While at Furman University, I had a psychology professor who would often begin an explanation of a difficult concept with the statement: “All you need to know is the language.”   While we were not studying a foreign language, his point was still valid. Essential to understanding a new concept or theory is to understand what is meant by the words that make up that theory. If you understand the words, then you understand the theory, and then you can assess whether or not the theory is correct.

The same is true, when you seek to assess the validity of an individual’s theology and practice. While the attempt seems genuine, the underlying theology expressed by many Christ followers and the churches that they attend boils down to the motto – “Just Love Jesus”.

The problem is that many people who profess such a theology fail to really understand what they are saying.   While “Just Love Jesus” sounds like a valid life goal, it is essentially meaningless unless one rightly explains what they mean by “love” and “Jesus”.

Firstly, who is this Jesus that we are to love? What did he do on behalf of mankind and why is He worthy of being loved? Is he a great metaphysical being, a teacher worthy of modeling, or the Savior of humanity whose sacrificial death made atonement for the sins of mankind?

Secondly, what does it mean to love Jesus? How does one express love to Jesus?   Is it done through the singing of songs, through social deeds, through devotional practices, through obedience, etc?

Unfortunately, for many the motto “Just Love Jesus” is accurately portrayed by the first word – “just”. Just loving Jesus, without understanding and rightly explaining who Jesus is and what Scripture defines as the proper manner in which He is to be loved will often lead to a simplistic, emotional faith that lacks the staying power throughout the course of one’s life.   It will also produce churches high on emotion and light on the gospel.

Is “Just Love Jesus” enough?

It depends on whether we know the language.