incarnation

Jun

2024

Is Jesus God?

Have you ever pondered the nature of Jesus Christ? Was he simply a wise teacher, or something more profound?

This question has sparked debate throughout history, leaving many to wonder about Jesus’ true identity. Today, we’ll look into John 5:26, a verse that offers a window into Jesus’ relationship with God the Father and sheds light on his divinity.

Understanding the Context

John 5:26 appears in the midst of a narrative where Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath. This act ignites outrage among Jewish leaders who accuse Jesus of violating the law.

In response, Jesus defends himself by clarifying his connection to God.

The Verse Unveiled

Here’s the verse that ignites the discussion:

“For just as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son also to have life in Himself.”
John 5:26

Breaking it Down

This verse packs a powerful punch regarding Jesus’ identity.

“The Father has life in Himself”: This establishes God the Father as the ultimate source of all life.
“So He has granted the Son also to have life in Himself”: This is the key part! Jesus claims to possess “life in himself,” mirroring the Father. This implies an equality in their nature and power.

Why Does it Matter?

So, why is this claim so significant? It touches the core of Christian belief – the divinity of Jesus. Here’s how it impacts our faith:

Salvation: If Jesus is fully God, then his sacrifice on the cross holds infinite value, capable of redeeming humanity from sin.
Hope: Knowing Jesus’ divinity offers us unwavering confidence in his power to conquer death and grant eternal life.
Worship: If Jesus is equal to God the Father, then he is worthy of our deepest devotion and worship.

A Pillar of Faith

John 5:26 remains a cornerstone of Christian faith. It reveals Jesus’ divine nature and affirms his central role in our salvation and worship.

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“One Minute with God”

Feb

2024

Recognizing the Spirit of Truth

“This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” (1 John 4:2)

John provides practical advice for discernment in a world with many false teachers seeking to deceive believers.

We can test every spirit by its view of Jesus Christ – specifically whether they acknowledge the core truth of the incarnation.

The Incarnation

The concept of God taking on human flesh at a point in time is central to the Christian faith. Jesus, eternally existent as the divine Son, added humanity to His deity when He was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

This mind-blowing, divisive reality – the infinite, unseen God wrapped in fragile human skin – ushered in our salvation. The pure, spotless Lamb of God took on the punishment we deserved.

Those who deny this vital truth reject the very heart of the gospel message.

Exposing Counterfeit Voices

John equips us to differentiate between truthful and deceptive spiritual voices. Those who follow the true Spirit will always affirm biblical teachings about who Jesus is – both fully God and fully man.

When we encounter messages downplaying Christ’s deity or resurrection, we can recognize the voice of false religion rather than divine truth.

Voices that distract from the Son’s centrality should raise instant red flags in our minds. Leaders who stir controversy and division over clear Scriptural principles should give us great concern as well.

We must filter every theological debate through this grid – does it align with apostolic writings on Jesus Christ?

Standing Firm in Truth

As we study Scripture, praying for discernment, we can learn to distinguish truth from warped gospels and false teachings.

We must choose to stand firm, rather than getting blown off course by persuasive arguments or cultural trends that undermine biblical faith.

By anchoring ourselves to the cornerstone of Christ and testing every spirit against this measure, we can mature in spiritual insight and avoid deception. Celebrate the profound mystery: God with us!