Tuesday, August 26, 2014
WORLD VS. CHRIST (2)
THE WORLD SAYS ...
The man named Jesus of Nazareth who lived and walked on this earth two thousand years ago was just that, ONLY a man. Though the majority of the world may claim Jesus is a true man, the majority of the world denies that Jesus is also true God. Some "Christian" groups today even try to promote that Jesus was at first an angel and that he then lived as a man on earth for thirty-three years, before reverting back to an angel in heaven after His death.
THE BIBLE SAYS ...
Jesus was TRUE GOD. While it is true that the word "trinity" is not found in the Bible, it is clear from Scripture that God reveals Himself to be triune. The Bible clearly states that there is "one" God (Deuteronomy 6:4), but God reveals Himself to be three persons (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). The Bible likewise reveals the "Word" (Jesus) is God (John 1:1-2), not an angel. It ascribes to Him the work of creation (Colossians 1:15-17). It states that "in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9), and Jesus Himself claimed not just equality with God (John 10:30), but that He Himself was and still is true God. He proved this not just by His miracles and the authority of His message, but also by His resurrection from the dead. The morning of His crucifixion and death on Good Friday, the Gospel of Luke records:
"As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, 'If You are the Christ, tell us.' But He said to them, 'If I tell you, you will by no means believe. And if I also ask you, you will by no means answer Me or let Me go. Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God.' Then they all said, 'Are You then the Son of God?' So He said to them, 'You rightly say that I am.' And they said, 'What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth'" (Luke 22:66-71).
WITH BELIEVING HEARTS WE PRAY ...
Oh Lord Jesus, the true and eternal Son of God, You have shown Your glory by coming into human flesh to act on my behalf in all Your power and love. Help me to always put my confidence in the life You lived for me, in the death You died for me, and in Your rising to life again, which assures me of eternal glory. Grant me the faith to praise Your name always! Amen.
