WHAT DIFFERENCE does it make in my life whether Jesus is who he said he was? Why should we even ask the question? Is it really that important?

The truth is that Jesus made so many outlandish claims that his relevance – even today – urges us to look for answers. If you stop and think about it, Jesus’ claim that he was God’s Son is earth shattering. If God exists, and he sent his Son, doesn’t that make it the most important event in human history? Doesn’t that make it the most important event in your life and mine?

Back in the time when the Gospel events took place, this kind of talk – saying that you were God’s son – was considered blasphemy. This meant that it was a statement directly against God. It was like throwing mud or something worse at him. What would drive a man – especially a wise and compassionate man – to make a claim that was punishable by death?

Why didn’t he just stop at saying we should be good, merciful, and kind? Why did Jesus have to say he was God’s Son? What purpose did it serve?

Many people are misled when it comes to what Christianity is all about. They mistakenly think it means that you must be good. This is what I call the “Good Guy Gospel” which really has nothing to do with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While one of the results of being a Christian is improved behavior and attitudes, it’s not the central message. Instead, it has to do with Jesus’ identity and mission.

It’s not good conduct that makes you a Christian. You are a Christian when you believe that God forgives you and loves you – all perfectly revealed in God’s son Jesus Christ. The weight of this distinction is enormous.

Every great religion offers us some kind of liberation. They all seduce us with the chance of being happy and fulfilled. Each one suggests that we can find some meaning in our lives. But all of them, except one, start by giving us a list – large or small – of things we must do.

Only Jesus offers us what he did for us first. True Christianity is not belief in a set of rules or doctrine, but faith in a person instead.

Whether we admit it or not, part of us might think that we can buy our way into heaven with good conduct alone. We then insist that others accept this as the only way to salvation. I’ve adopted this attitude many times. I’ve offended myself, my family, and my God with this mistake. And every time he reminds me of the same thing.

He tells me, “Please stop. Please stop trying to be the one who decides who I accept, forgive, and love. Please stop trying to work your way into my good graces. It just doesn’t work that way. Don’t you understand? It is I who does the work. It’s my Son who paid the price. You can’t do it.”

“But God,” I reply. “I want to make it better. I want to do the right thing. I want to be good!”

And God answers: “Don’t worry but rest, my child. Rest in the fact that I am the one that will make it all better. Quit trying to buy your way into salvation. Once and for all, just let it go. Give all your pain, suffering, and sin up to me and my Son. Just accept, once and for all, that I love you as you are. And my loving Spirit will change you.”

And so, I remember that I’m human. I make mistakes. Just my thoughts are horrible sometimes. It means that I’m a sinner, as we all are. If anything, this makes us all equal.

When I came to Jesus, I was carrying a lot of psychological and emotional baggage. The burden of my mistakes was overwhelming. Yes, I tried to be better, but better wasn’t enough. Trying to make amends is not the same as being able to stand in God’s presence with confidence in his love. This confidence does not come from any good deeds on my part. Instead, I need his help.

Jesus, if he is really God’s son – that makes me sit up and take notice. And if God’s Son died for me… well, that leaves me astounded. And the full impact of this – if you let it reach your heart – can transform your entire existence.

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