Christianity 101- Part 4: Jesus
Jesus is the eternal infinite son of God as John revealed in John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word in this passage is referring to Jesus. In verse 14 we are told that the Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us. He was and is fully God and fully man and he entered history as a real historical person about 2000 years ago. In the past few years there has been a lot of speculation on what would Jesus do in this or that situation. While this is good in keeping Jesus visible in an increasingly hostile culture, the far more important question is what did Jesus do when he came to earth as a man. In today’s culture we hear a lot about the teachings of Jesus and his love and compassion. He also healed the sick and lame and even raised the dead. While these acts are true and more proof of the deity of Christ, they are not the reason he came to earth. The reason he came to earth was to save his people from their sins….. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). John the Baptist said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) To make atonement and redeem a people he had to be fully God, so as to give the atonement infinite value, and fully man to perfectly satisfy the requirements of God’s law, thus becoming an acceptable substitute for sinners. The atonement that Christ made for our sins has the power to save us from the righteous wrath of God and is infinitely the most important thing Jesus did while on earth. The resurrection of Jesus was the proof for this fact, as Paul states in Acts 17:31. The prophet Isaiah prophesized about this 700 years before it happened when he said in Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Jesus paid the penalty for the sins of those redeemed by his sacrifice on the cross of Calvary and He offers eternal life as a free gift. This is the amazing grace that we sing about. But how do humans gain access to this grace? Does everyone receive eternal life?
Next in Part 5 we will look at how man gains access to this grace.
posted by jazzycat at 8:29 AM
8 Comments:
" The reason he came to earth was to save his people from their sins….. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). John the Baptist said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)"
Can anybody get enough of this truth?!!! Keep bringing it, Wayne!
June 01, 2007 10:58 AM
the far more important question is what did Jesus do when he came to earth as a man.
Indeed, this is excellent stuff, and miraculous considering a cat either wrote or dictated it...
;-)
June 01, 2007 11:07 AM
The following quote should really be in my comment to your previous post, "The Sinfulness of Man," but I didn't want it to be missed and I just read it this morning:
"When Paul seeks to present a systematic argument for the gospel to the Romans, he does not begin with 'Jesus loves you' or 'God has a wonderful plan for your life.' Showing that he would fail almost every evangalism class currently offered in seminaries in our land, Pual begins with a dreadfully long discussion of the universal sinfulness of man. Without a single poem, no funny illustrations or multimedia aids, the inspired apostle drags on about the sinfulness of men, Jew and Gentile alike."
- The Potter's Freedom, by James R. White
It does speak to why we need a Savior - *The* Savior.
June 01, 2007 12:07 PM
I was reading Susan’s comment here, and my mind went to thinking about a couple of really neat people I know who have an amazing ability to bring all kinds of things back to the gospel. They are just so passionate about sharing the good news that EVERYTHING reminds them about …(segue into the gospel).
As for me, I’m with Susan, in that God’s love is not the way I would begin. Except that I don't usually start by talking about sin. My personal preference is to begin with God’s holiness (step one), and then make a contrast to our unholiness or sin (step two). At least that way, I don’t confuse folks with an image of a soft, fluffy, all loving being who mysteriously now wants to condemn this person to hell.
June 01, 2007 1:07 PM
craver vii,
I'm like you in that regard - sharing the gospel.
It really depends on with whom I'm speaking and their particular situation. I don't know that the gospel message is ever really shared exactly the same way - except by some pastors perhaps.
But here in "the mission field," I would most likely begin with what a miserable train wreck I was before I realized that I needed a Savior. My own testimony usually helps deflect the attention from whatever the other person is going through - and that way they can relate my own messes to whatever they're going through - maybe.
In the end, it's the Lord's work to speak to them and save them ultimately.
June 01, 2007 1:13 PM
I am just so thankful for what Christ accomplished on the cross.
Cristina
June 01, 2007 1:28 PM
Thanks all and good points. Susan, so true as Paul knew that you needed to show someone they were lost before you could save them. Someone who understands they are under the wrath of God should feel a need more than someone who is told that God loves them unconditionaly.
wayne
June 03, 2007 12:03 AM
Clear and concise! Way to go Wayne. God became flesh and dwelt among us. He came to save His people! Amen!
LOL Even so!
June 04, 2007 12:42 AM
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