She Must And Shall Go Free Part IV: Nothing (Without You)

"Nothing (Without You)" by Derek Webb

I’ve got the dress, I’ve got the ring
I’ve got a song that I can sing
I’ve got the bread, I’ve got the wine
But I’ve got the life I’ve left behind
I’ve got everything, but I’ve got nothing
Without you

I’ve got the law on my heart
I’ve got your love tearing me apart
I’ve got a vow that I can’t keep
But I’ve got your promise getting me to sleep
I’ve got everything, but I’ve got nothing
Without you

I’ve got your works, I’ve got my faith
I’ve got all the wine that you can make
I am the kiss of your betrayer
But I’ve got your grace on every layer
I’ve got everything, but I’ve got nothing
Without you

‘cause you see it’s all just a show
You either hate it or you don’t
And only time will tell the difference
If you get it clearly or with interference

I’ve got the race, got the election
But win or lose, I’ve got protection
I found a lobbyist in the devil
But i got salvation in a rebel
I’ve got everything, but I’ve got nothing
Without you

If we have nothing without Jesus, then what unique things can Jesus alone bring into our lives?

Jesus Brings...

1. Authenticity
You can have all the trappings of a committed relationship (dress/ring; bread/wine) but if you are still clinging to the life you have supposedly left behind then that relationship is lacking. Matthew 7:21-23 reminds us that there will be many who will say "Lord, Lord" and do great things in the name of Jesus who really have nothing...they lack Authenticity. They may look like a follower of Christ but still cling to the past and lack a true relationship with Christ.

2. Peace
Have you ever played Simon Says? Have you ever gone out on the first round of Simon Says? What about the very last round? Either way, you still lose. It doesn't matter when you break the rules, you lose just like everyone else who has broken the rules. James 2:10 reminds us that if we have broken God's Law at any one point, then we have broken the whole thing. We have a vow we can't keep...there is no way we can please God with our actions. But praise God, his promise in Jesus Christ brings us peace.

3. Deep Grace
When I went to college I double majored in math and computer science. I was excited the day I finished my Multi-variable Calculus final exam thinking I had seen the worst of it. But I had not been introduced to Math Theory yet! Proof after proof after proof after proof, and all at 8:00 in the morning. Talk about tough. Our prof was nice though because he let us take the exams home to work on and use our book and notes. This was great and helped me get a B in the class but I came away with no deed understanding of mathematical theory. I had the right answers and a B in the class but I still had nothing.

Isaiah 9:6 reminds us of the depth of who Jesus is: wonderful couselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace...have you delved into the depths of who Jesus is and what he means in your life? Do you have all the right answers but still have nothing when it comes to Christ. Do you claim his work in your life and your faith in him but then turn and once again betray him with your words or actions...or your silence?

And still, his grace is DEEP...deeper than we can imagine. Without that Deep Grace we truly have nothing!

4. Clarity of Commitment
Would you rather: Sleep on a pillow or a bale of hay? Have a PC or a Mac? Drink tea or water? Take a shower or a bath? Read the book or watch the movie? Listen to rock or rap? Eat beef or chicken? Go to a math class or an english class? Drive a Ford or a Chevy?

These are fairly minor commitments we make every day of our life. But time will tell if you truly are committed to those things. Maybe one day you will discover the comfort of a bale of hay and never use a pillow again. Maybe you will change your mind about the flavor of beef and push aside your chicken nuggets for a fat steak. Maybe you will tire of fixing your Ford and trade it in for a Chevy. Time will tell if your commitments will stand.

Matthe 6:24 tells us that our commitment to Christ needs to be definite. Is yours? Time will tell if that commitment is real. Jesus brings clarity of that commitment into our lives.

5. The Best!
We all settle for so much less than the best. Why? I think normally it's because we don't see the best or we don't know what is the best or we don't have access to the best. I love Domino's Pizza, but I don't have access to it without a 30 minute drive and $365 in gas. So, I settle for Food Lion or Red Barron Pizza. Sure, that Pizza is good, but it is not the best.

Jesus brings us the BEST. But we often settle for so much less. The Devel lobby's in our life trying to influence us away from what is best and we fall for it every day! Jesus has rescued us from the mediocre and has brought the best into our lives. Stop settling and grab hold of the Best. Without the best we really have nothing.

So, what about You?

How much do you depend on God/Jesus to bring into your life what you really need...what only he can bring? How often do you first depend on yourself or other people around you to bring excitement, meaning, hope, and joy to your life?

Remember: there are certain things only Jesus brings into our lives, and without them we have nothing.