Treatment for Anemic Christians

We all have elements of self-destruction within us. Paul recognized this internal poison or “fruit for death” (Rom 7:5) as the “sin living in me” (7:17). Yet he rejoiced that its antidote is available “for those who are in Christ Jesus” (8:1).

Knowing that Jesus is our antidote for sin and failure is a critical aspect of Christian spirituality. If we neglect it, we will soon grow spirituality anemic and weakened by sin. Why, then, do we lost this critical focus? Most often because we tend to seek immunity from evil in something, rather than someone. We refer to receiving “ salvation” or “grace” or a “blessing” – and of course all of these have true meaning for a Christian. Yet none is the real antidote. Overarching such spiritual benefits is the ultimate, indescribable gift – a Person, not a thing; God’s own Son, “he himself who bore our sins….so that we might live for righteousness” (1 Pt 2:24). Jesus himself – and he alone – is our antidote.

All this seems obvious, doesn’t it? We know that salvation requires a savior, grace a bestower, blessings a blesser. Yet the fact remains that we tend to seek gifts more than the giver; we look for answers to our prayers more than we seek the one who answers them; we focus more on our problems than on the problem-solver. The disciples did this too. When Jesus was walking on the water toward them, they were terrified and needed a reminder to focus on Jesus – not on their fear, not on a “ghost”: “It is I. Don’t be afraid” (Mt 14:27).

Likewise, we need to center our attention on Jesus. Without this critical focus, we will meet with futility and frustration as we search for antidotes to the inner poison of our sinfulness, our weaknesses, and our repeated failures. In future articles we will examine some of the areas in which a Christ-focus is essential and a few of the patterns of failure through which this focus can be lost.

This excerpt is from the book The Art of Loving God by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications, 1995. This and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/visual materials can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.