Many settle for a stunted Christ: one who can be reasonably understood by a set of doctrines, comfortably followed by a set of outward and visible regulations, and moderately experienced through a set of emotional responses. But the doctrines are just his garments, the commands are just his words, and the experiences are just his scent; and many who claim to be Christ’s are merely those who have touched, heard, or smelled the limited shadow that is cast from his all-beautiful person. Upon this moderate, quantifiable rock we have built a “church” where human means and methods can attain spiritual maturity in a rational, predictable, and measurable way, and the dreadful unpredictability of an infinite God is avoided.
But Christ is the fullness of the Godhead united with real humanity, the possessor of the infinite glory of the all-glorious Jehovah: He will not be so easily boxed. He is the Infinite One who transcends mortal measurements: giving the doctrines their meaning, the commands their weight, and the experiences their reality. Upon this Rock, he builds his church: a group of broken, humble, finite mortals who will never completely understand his ways, obey his commands, or experience his fullness. Yet these desperate and hopeless mortals who are driven by grace to cling to the terribly transcendent Christ find themselves perpetually filled to overflowing from his infinite fullness: knowing an inconceivable love, possessing an incomprehensible peace, and exhibiting an ineffable joy.
