The Danger of Distance

The call to follow Jesus Christ implies intimacy. The teacher/student relationship and master/slave image of discipleship in the Bible knows nothing of separation between the two participating parties. Following Jesus requires closeness; intimacy is a prerequisite. To create a buffer between you and the Lord is to undo the very boldness and security in God that Jesus died to give you. It also guarantees failure.

And having arrested Him, they led Him away, and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. Luke 22:54

Meet Exhibit A. The disciple Peter, only a few hours earlier, had taken up a sword to defend Jesus. Having been sternly warned by Jesus that he would deny him, Peter set out to prove Jesus wrong. He found the chance to show his spiritual mettle when Jesus was arrested. One swing of a sword and Peter looked like a hero and a truly loyal disciple (at least in his own eyes). However, later that same evening Peter denied even knowing Jesus. Talk about spiritual schizophrenia, one minute Peter is fighting for Christ, the next he doesn’t even know him. What happened? What was the difference? The answer is in the verse above–distance.

To seek a safe distance between you and Christ is to position yourself to be easily picked off by the enemy. That’s what happened to Peter: he was following, but from far off. There was no way he could hear Jesus’ voice or know his heart. And when you’re that far back, slipping is easy.

Are you following Christ from a distance? Have you sought to keep a relational gap between you and Jesus? Are you staying back in case things with Christ get hairy? If you are, then you’re setting yourself up to fail. Distance in a relationship with Christ is the equivalent of spiritual cholesterol. If not dealt with, it will eventually kill you.

So here’s my mantra for the day: I want to be a no-distance Christian. I want to be so close to Jesus that I always know his heart and hear his voice, even if he whispers. What about you? Are you willing to be a no-distance Christian? Cling to intimacy in Jesus. Read his word and pray. Be honest with him about sin. Slow down so you can really hear his voice. Don’t let anything come between you and your Savior.

Write it down: No Distance!