In chapter 12, I pointed out a phrase that is never mentioned in the Bible, yet somehow has become the number one way evangelicals describe discipleship. The phrase is, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When Christ called disciples, he did not say, “Come, have a personal relationship with me.” No, he simply said, “Follow me.” Hear the difference? Follow me suggests a mission. A goal. But a personal relationship with Jesus suggests we’re headed to Starbucks for some couple time. This subtle change in how we describe the gospel is one of the reasons our message becomes garbled on its
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