Jesus didn’t die so we could achieve the American Dream, but so that we could inherit immeasurable riches in the presence of God for eternity. Jesus didn’t die so we could create our own little social/political kingdoms in this age, but so that we would rejoice in the coming kingdom of the next. Jesus didn’t die so we could keep on sinning but so that we would have the desire to stop sinning and glorify him in all we do. Jesus didn’t die so we could amass a spiritual resumé of good works but so that we could rest in his righteousness as we obey out of love and humility.

Christians have a ready-made response to the question, “Why did Jesus die?” The answers are usually something along these lines: “Jesus died to save me from my sins.” Often when I get answers like these, I feel like asking, “And. . . ?” I don’t ask follow-up questions just to be annoying. I do it because many professing believers genuinely have never thought through the reasons for, and the implications of, Jesus’ death on the cross. Unfortunately, many Christians, if really pressed for a logical argument for the atoning death of Christ, won’t have a good answer.

And because of the lack of clarity regarding Jesus’ death, deceitful doctrines have crept into our churches. The Scriptures have been twisted into cultural clichés and false teachings about why Christ died, and what was accomplished by his death.

Here are four things Jesus didn’t die for.

1. For Your American Dream

Jesus didn’t die to make you healthy, wealthy, secure, and comfortable. This may be your current state, but don’t let that to lead you to think it’s a promise. God blesses those who belong to him—sometimes with temporal comfort but spiritual chastening, and sometimes with temporal suffering but spiritual flourishing.

However, devastatingly harmful teaching in churches across America claims physical “blessings” are a sure sign of God’s favor. Not only does this teaching fly in the face of the entire Bible, but it’s also a grievous offense to those Christians experiencing immense persecution in countries all over the world, often in impoverished circumstances.

Jesus’ death means he has taken on your sin, in exchange for his righteousness. God has shown us “the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7). These are the only riches you are promised in this life—the joy and peace that comes with knowing that you have a good and loving God who has saved you at the infinite cost of his only Son.

2. To Be the Poster Boy for Your Cause

Liberal? Conservative? Environmentalist? Homophobe?

The name of Jesus has been used for all these “-isms” and more. It’s so easy to take our own traditions, worldviews, and causes, paste Jesus’ name on them, and call them “Christian.”

Jesus isn’t a conservative Republican. Jesus isn’t a progressive Democrat. Jesus is God.

Read More