This is what Christians since the earliest days have said about the person of Christ: First, he is clearly one person, not some dualistic oddity. But in that one person there are definitely two full and distinct natures. Jesus was truly human–not just a body with divinity replacing human nature. And he was truly divine–not just a prophet or even a super-prophet who was invested with an extraordinary measure of divine power.
How do we know this? First, because he demonstrated the unique attributes of deity. Power when wind and waves obeyed him and when he took a dead little girl by the hand and she woke up. Holiness, glory, and omniscience. “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (John 4:29).
Second, because he exercised the prerogatives of deity. He wielded authority in calling himself “the Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8) and by saying astounding things such as “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35). He forgave people their sins. Who but God can do that? Which is why, when Jesus told a paralytic man that he forgave his sins, Jesus’ opponents snarled, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:7). They had no idea how right they were. Jesus said elsewhere that he would be involved in judgment. “When the Son of Man comes in his glory… he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:31-32). He solicited faith in himself: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). And, most remarkable of all, he let other people worship him: the disciples in the boat after he calmed the storm, and Mary in the garden after the resurrection, even in Bethlehem when the Magi came to worship him as a child.
Now what does “worship” in these contexts mean? In the boat Jesus’ disciples had no hymnals, no guitars, no offering plates. What they did have was themselves, and the ability to bow down or bend the knee in the presence of one they recognized as Lord supreme. They were compelled to do it. Bowing was as quick a response as when you squint or put your hand up when you step from a dark room out into the blazing sun. Later they must have pondered the significance of this impulse to worship a man they were following.
[Continued next time…]
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Absolutely well written and inspiring
I am troubled, as I was verbally “ganged” up on, by several atheists, who consider themselves to be scholars, and repeatedly asked me WHY they should believe in MY God, when I have NO proof of his existence. Now, me being a Christian for 20+ years quoted scripture after scripture, and no matter what I said , I still had no “proof” just words in a book they said. I realize this is a common response from people who have made a decision, ( even though they said I could sway them with the right proof) yet I know they just like to get into debates and argue. Does a person, like myself continue to “find a way” to convince them of the gospel? I know it is the Lord who changes hearts, and saves people, not man who does this. However, I must admit, it truly is troubling to me that unless a persons heart is receptive they cannot understand the one who gave them life. I read your emails regularly and they are very inspiring and uplifting, thank you for using the gift the Lord gave you to minister to others. Have a blessed day.
I admire your boldness Sandra and it pleases the Lord that you tried to defend Him. In ourselves, we cannot “convince” others of the Truth. Only the Holy Spirit can give them hearts of flesh and eyes & ears of understanding to be able to receive what He is saying to them. People who come across as intellects & scholars, who believe they are so much smarter than we are, are often full of pride and close their hearts to the Lord. They need prayer. I feel blessed beyond measure to know the Truth, that Jesus is fully God and fully man. That comes from me having to be humble, to die to what I may think I know and be open to receive everything that God wants to deposit into my spirit. Thy Word is Truth, every word – that brings peace, not confusion or unbelief and drives me to know Him more.
I think there is a lot of truth in what was written, I firmly believe in what Christ has done for me, as I was out in the world doing things I should not have been doing, like drugs, stealing, adultry…..ect, but since I came to Christ and he in me, I’ve been a better person, I’m not perfect, nor will I ever be, but I know God’s not done with me, and he forgives me for all my sins, and for that I’m GRATEFUL.
The things that only God could do was also done by Jesus Christ which means he is the son of God and LORD Amen