Bible-centered vs. Christ-centered

One of the pastors at the church I went to today shared a very interesting quote from the Harvest Worship Center: Sunday Message that really spoke to me:

"The era that we live in, this last century has proven to be the most Bible-centered age since the day of the Pharisees. It also rivals their age for being the least Christ centered. Men today get just as mad as the Pharisees did when you point that out. Making the Scriptures the center of your life, making worship the center of your life, isn't of Christ, it always tends to give you an ornery disposition."

Isn't it funny? That we try to love God so much that we end up serving false gods instead? We try so hard to look holy that we totally miss the mark; we end up denying that which God created us to be, in order to impress someone else. And who else? It could be a neighbor, a friend, a loved one, or maybe just a stranger. Who cares? The point is that doing anything, except that which draws you nearer to the One, True God, is worthless. So if singing songs of worship doesn't draw you nearer to Him, then doing it does nothing for you. Sure, you can earn "admiration points" from others, but... well, seriously... who cares? Whether someone loves me or hates me, I will be the person that God created me to be and none other, because that would be like betraying Him. ...

Of course we also need to point out at this point that singing songs of worship isn't bad... as long as they are a true expression of nearness to the living God. Now, new Christians, it may help them to understand/draw nearer to God, and reading/obeying Scripture is extremely necessary... not that its not for all of us, but its also important to point out that obeying the Laws was something that the Pharisees did. Something that anyone can do. Being "Bible-centered" isn't anything special and certainly doesn't make you holy, but its listening and obeying God's voice in this moment, it is having the faith to take a step into the unknown. When God calls you, you go.

I've always believed that, no matter what stage of Christian life you are in, beginning or mature, the way to know if you are a true follower of Christ, if you are Christ-centered, you will not judge others, refuse to love another because they aren't "Christian enough", be self-righteous, avoid others because they "don't share your values", see others as "projects" for Christ, etc. However, a true Christ-centered person will genuinely care for others, Christian and non, love others even if they don't agree with them, show love and kindness to others who are lost, have faith in God and others who don't know Christ, or who don't seem to be as "good of Christians"...

Genuine Love is something that's very hard for us to understand, but to be wholly honest, if we loved like we're supposed to, there wouldn't be a need for laws. Christ called us to do ONE thing: LOVE. Apparently its the hardest thing for us to do.