Thank you brother for your response. I will post my response in a new thread as this one is on another matter to Ronnette & by adding an unrelated question to it, it might become too cumbersome & lose focus.
so good to hear from you. I have been thinking of you and wondering if there were problems with your transplant. Glad to know that God brought you through it.
Yes, and we can thank the family of the one from whom you received this heart. They have had a great loss, and yet, they were generous to donate the heart to one who needs it. May God bless them richly and bring them to salvation if they are yet unconverted.
Latonya, I pray that you continue to get stronger and stronger. I pray that you have many years to live. I pray that God will use your testimony to bring others to salvation in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I'll try to redo Part 4 as best as I can remember.
So I ask myself, why does my sin matter in my relationship with God?
I go to Romans 1:18
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men..." (NIV) Whoa!
And in 2:8
"..but to those whoa re self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness-indignation and wrath, tribulation and guish, on every soul that does evil..." (NIV)
And 3:10 says:
"As it is written:
There is none righteous, no, not one...."
and in 3:23
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
And 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(All NIV, being the translation I have on hand at home.)
So, this tells me that I am guilty and ungodly before God.
Romans 6:6 tells me that "For when we were still without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly."
and Vs. 8 But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
and Vs. 10 "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."
Ephesians 2:1 "And you He made alive who were dead in trespasses and sins...."
Well, we all stand guilty and are all dead to God in our sins, and are enemies to God until we are reconciled to God by the death and resurrection of Jesus, through whom we are regenerated and made alive to God. So, I think, it is good to be alive to God and not good at all to be dead in sin. so, my sin matters to God in that it separates me from Him.
So, I think, why would I want to be reconciled to Him, aside from avoiding being under his wrath and judgment? What is it about God that would make me consider turning to Him? In my sinful state, I would not want to turn to Him, but even then, the Holy Spirit works in me to turn me to God by grace! I am to believe that and act of the grace given to me
Just on your reference to Master. I've always understood the word to mean 'teacher', as in Matthew 10:25, & many other verses.
Just checked the Greek word for it & it seems to confirm it. If you're of my vintage, we always referred to our male teachers as 'Master', at least in my very early school years (based on the British classification of Master & Mistress). Yet certainly, the idea of subservience is very evident by virtue of the position of the two parties, though unlikely that of a servant/slave.
Thanks for sharing what you did - always helpful & soul-nourishing.
There are some churches that still read a fair amount of scripture today. You may be in the statistically few that preach of a real hell and judgment of the wicked. It is rarer still to really hear the Gospels being preached as they are. Usually; if not almost always it is the basic message of belief in Christ; and salvation and sometimes a proper emphasis on the subject of Predistination as heavily emphasized in the Book of John (i.e. the "grace gospel"). For some reason Christ's love seems to be seen as the overturning of the tables being the only exception to his annoyance. This misnomer is counterindicated by numerous references; and often toward the Disciples about their unbelief. They were said many times to "harden their hearts"; and as the more well known rebuke to Peter where Christ said "get thee behind me Satan" ( Matt. 16:23 and again in Mark); we also need to see that Peter was rebuking Him. On top of this was family members saying that He was out of His mind; disciples trying to tell Him how to be a King; arguing who was the greatest (of which He gave an amazingly merciful response) and other situations. He was angry with the Pharisees; and also with the Disciples not getting what the meaning of unclean hearts are as contrasted with outward ceremonial law or just traditions of men. There is of course a difference in chastising His own and His warnings about say; blasphemy of the Spirit. Another seemingly overlooked passage is that when the Pharisees rebuked Him for healing or doing the "work" of eating grains on the Sabbath Day. He certainly wasn't inhibited in such activities; at the very least He recognized work as the Father Himself is always working. He is just following suit. When we look at passages like all the Disciples deserting Him; the best thing we can do is ask "help us with our unbelief". Many are tares; others will have to recieve severe rebuke to get them back on the right path.
Concept of "Master". Over and over in the Gospels; Christ is addressed as "Master". We hear of God's love and salvation; less frequently with an emphasis on Him being Lord of our lives; rarely master. I had one friend of mine from a couple years back frequently start his prayers with that term. We can argue about the slave mentality of the ancient cultures; but how often do we think of ourselves as "unworthy servants" just doing what is required? (See Luke 17:7-10). It is sobering also to think that the scriptures show the absurdity of many today who think that somehow they will treat the servants any better than their "Master" (see John 15:20). As adopted children; we have certain rights and privileges that the "hired hands" don't have. Nonetheless since we are Temples of the Holy Spirit we are to honor God's presence and not grieve the Spirit. We are His possession and are to be fit for His use as He sees fit.
Of course; this all fits in with the fear of the Lord ( Prov. 1:7 etal). It seems like backward logic; at least to the world; who consider themselves free but in reality are slaves to sin ( Romans 6:20 and many other like verses). If we love Him; we obey His commandments. ( 1 John 5:2-3). Love and obedience are NOT mutually exclusive concepts; nor can either survive on their own. Now His saints are free to choose to serve God or to sin; a concept many who correctly believe what's known as the "Grace Gospel" seem to have trouble with. Before we are saved; we are only able to sin. The truth is hidden; as it were like the Parables are to the lost. This ties into His Diety as God in the flesh; hence no earthly saints are to be given special titles such as "Father" ( Matt. 23:9). Let us strive therefore so that we can avoid unnecessary discipline through sins. The way the world views punishment now; His chastisements may seem unduly harsh. It is better than ultimate judgment in hell; and for our own good.
That is my understanding from the account of Moses' death and burial in Deuteronomy 34:1-7 It says God buried Moses in the valley in the land of Moab, perhaps below Mt. Nebo where he last spoke with God.
The time frame for the Book of Acts is from the time of Jesus' Resurrection (30 or 33A.D.) to the time of the end of Paul's missionary journeys. it is said to have been written in about 60 A.D. Paul's death was about 67 A. D. I believe. So the end of Acts was probably no earlier than 60 A.D. and no later than 67 A.D. depending on when Luke finally parted with Paul before Paul was imprisoned or martyred and when Luke wrote it.
I have often wished we had more of an account of the acts of all the other Apostles, since Acts is mainly about Paul, since Luke was Paul's traveling companion on missions and with the work in the churches founded from Paul's work.
I don't think you need to worry about having the Holy Spirit within you. he is already residing in you from the time you were converted. No one can say "Jesus is Lord" without the Holy Spirit. So, be assured that you have all that the Holy Spirit has to bring to any believer. You are lacking in nothing in Christ Jesus. But, I agree, we do need to ask the Holy Spirit to guide and protect us as we live in a wicked world and the enticements can be very convincing when we are vulnerable or not watchful. I think we can pray to the Father, or Jesus, or the Holy Spirit or all three anytime, anywhere.
I will pray for your son (and my three)
Heavenly Father, we are mothers of these sons you gave us. We so wanted each of them to grow up knowing and loving you. We did what we could to teach them about and exemplify Jesus to them growing up. But now they are worldly, having turned from you and gone the prodigal way. We grieve so much over this, as I know it grieves You, too. You gave us these sons for Your glory, that they may be saved and serve You. We entrust them to Your will, the influence of Your Holy Spirit, the power of Your grace, and the immense depth of Your love for each of them. We ask that You soon draw them away from the world and the way of unbelief they are walking on right now. Bring a change to their hearts because they cannot do this themselves. It comes from You only. We ask that You return them to faith and trust in You and Your Son, Jesus, who is the only way to be saved.
We thank you for each of these young men and the privilege of being their moms. We look forward to when our grief will be turned into joy when they repent and confess Jesus as their Savior and Lord once again. We look forward to them spending eternity in heaven with You and each of us moms. We believe that You love them more than we ever could and are able to save to the uttermost all that You will. We ask this of You today.
Luke 16:19-31, someone I believe it was "Chris" in previous discussion multiple months ago, pointed out most Parables, if not all were without name, but this one, perhaps being about Lazarus.
John 12:1-18,
The sisters have much also mentioned it appears : Luke 10:38-42,
Matthew 27:56,61, Matthew 28:1, Mark 15:40,47, Mark 16:1,9, Luke 8:2, Luke 24:10, John 19:25, John 20:1-18,
I have been part of a home Bible study fellowship; which I had to break out of eventually because of doctrinal issues; and improper personal attack. Nonetheless; there were many things that went on there (with an elderly gentleman that used to be a Pastor and his wife and son hosting meetings) that were commendable.
The first thing that comes to mind is opening their home to those believers that were part of a group met over a number of years from other states and cities and vice versa. The home was sufficient and comfortable; certainly not over the top luxury wise. The only offering taken was for occasional missionary needs (for a time a brother was in Uganda and others were sent funds who were actively preaching in Indonesia; etc.) Some of those individuals went with a group where people were martyred somewhere in the Middle East some years back representing a group from Africa. The father was retired from work; his son does manual labor. They would with a small number of others go witnessing whenever they could (TV was out btw). That would encompass several days a week on the streets downtown; at the Universities; and on several "blitzes" to a number of cities for the better part of a week a couple times a year. Prayer also was very crucial; one member said they used to pray about 9 hrs a week; one hour for every hour witnessing (he also has kids and works full time). Another friend who since has broken out of that group has a study I had attended before moving; he has 6 kids but also street evangelizes and shares with those on his secular store job. I stayed over his house more than once as well.
Once I started going to the spinoff group; the individuals joined a local church and therefore are more balanced. It seems that there are less churches out there evangelizing. I found that during COVID in 2020-1 many were wide open in the food lines.
Lets ask God to hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Also to add that if we don't provide our lamp with oil like the 5 unwise virgins then our light will eventually go off and we will be eventually left out of the Marriage. Providing oil or not to our lamps (as well as how much) is a choise we do, it's not a work that God does for us.
Jesus had a brain that thought and reasoned and controlled his human body.
So this convinces me that Jesus indeed was both fully God and fully man.
So then I ask, why did God become a man?
In John 1:29, John the Baptist, upon seeing Jesus says, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
And Jesus, Himself, says ( John 3:15-17) "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved."
This tells me that Jesus became a man to take away the sin (all sin) of the world by being a "sacrificial lamb" and the one by which anyone can be saved from their sinfulness and the condemnation that comes with it by believing in Him.
Therefore, since He is Truth, I believe that He is the only one who can save me from my sins.
The Gospels tell me that Jesus told people that their sins are forgiven. Only God can forgive sins. So, if I want my sins forgiven, I must believe that they are forgiven by and through Jesus.
The next question I ask is: If Jesus came to take away the sins of others, did He have sins to be forgiven?
I must admit that God does not have any sin in Him, and if Jesus is God, He is without sin.
I am also told that in 2 Corinthians 5:21 "For He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (NIV)
From this passage, I am told that Jesus never sinned, but to make us righteous before God, He became sin for us (in His death)
Before this verse, Paul says in 1Corinthians 5:14- 15 that Jesus died for all.
Then we go to John 1:14-18 which tells us that the Word (spoken of in verse 1) "became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld
His glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (NIV)
This tells me that The Word spoken of in verse 1 is Jesus. This tells me that Jesus existed before He became flesh, being the Word of God and with God and is God.
So here we have the Word becoming a human person but still being God. Whoa!
But it says Jesus was full of grace and truth, so what is said about Him by John is to believed as true.
So now I know why Jesus was unique and singularly special. Well, then I ask, "What did He do to show His deity?
I read the accounts of His life and works in the Gospels and I find that He performed miracles that only God could do.
I find that He had power of demons, which only God can have.
I find that He expanded on the Law in the Sermon on the Mount that only God can legitimately claim to have authority to do.
I find that He was one with the Father and if one has seen Him they have seen the Father, which is a claim to be God.
I find that He was transfigured on the mountain with His disciples present to witness. Only God can have such glory.
I find that He said He had the authority to lay down His own life and to take it back up again. Only God can raise someone from the dead, and He said that He would raise Himself from the dead.
I find that He predicted His death and resurrection ahead of time and it happened just as He said, even being in the grave for three days before rising again.
Then I ask, how do I know He was human as well as divine? Again I go to the Gospel accounts.
He was conceived in the womb of Mary by the Holy Spirit, grew within her and was born as a baby. He had flesh, bones, and blood. He grew and matured, He ate, slept, got tired, was able to be injured, and die. He did all of the things that humans did and had a body made of matter, DNA. -continued
so good to hear from you. I have been thinking of you and wondering if there were problems with your transplant. Glad to know that God brought you through it.
Yes, and we can thank the family of the one from whom you received this heart. They have had a great loss, and yet, they were generous to donate the heart to one who needs it. May God bless them richly and bring them to salvation if they are yet unconverted.
Latonya, I pray that you continue to get stronger and stronger. I pray that you have many years to live. I pray that God will use your testimony to bring others to salvation in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Have restful sleep tonight, LaTonya.
I'll try to redo Part 4 as best as I can remember.
So I ask myself, why does my sin matter in my relationship with God?
I go to Romans 1:18
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men..." (NIV) Whoa!
And in 2:8
"..but to those whoa re self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness-indignation and wrath, tribulation and guish, on every soul that does evil..." (NIV)
And 3:10 says:
"As it is written:
There is none righteous, no, not one...."
and in 3:23
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
And 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(All NIV, being the translation I have on hand at home.)
So, this tells me that I am guilty and ungodly before God.
Romans 6:6 tells me that "For when we were still without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly."
and Vs. 8 But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
and Vs. 10 "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."
Ephesians 2:1 "And you He made alive who were dead in trespasses and sins...."
Well, we all stand guilty and are all dead to God in our sins, and are enemies to God until we are reconciled to God by the death and resurrection of Jesus, through whom we are regenerated and made alive to God. So, I think, it is good to be alive to God and not good at all to be dead in sin. so, my sin matters to God in that it separates me from Him.
So, I think, why would I want to be reconciled to Him, aside from avoiding being under his wrath and judgment? What is it about God that would make me consider turning to Him? In my sinful state, I would not want to turn to Him, but even then, the Holy Spirit works in me to turn me to God by grace! I am to believe that and act of the grace given to me
Yes indeed.
Very well said too.
God bless you
Thank you!
Yes I will.
Big time prayer is always my weapon against the unbelief.
The word, "receive," and "Holy Spirit" are never found in the same verse in the KJV.
On the other hand, "receive/received" and "Holy Ghost" are found here:
John 7:39
John 20:22
Acts 1:8
Acts 2:33
Acts 2:38
Acts 3:21
Acts 8:15
Acts 8:17
Acts 8:19
Acts 9:17
Acts 10:47
Acts 19:2 ("Holy Ghost" is mentioned twice here.)
1 Thessalonians 1:6
Anything we can learn from this?
Just checked the Greek word for it & it seems to confirm it. If you're of my vintage, we always referred to our male teachers as 'Master', at least in my very early school years (based on the British classification of Master & Mistress). Yet certainly, the idea of subservience is very evident by virtue of the position of the two parties, though unlikely that of a servant/slave.
Thanks for sharing what you did - always helpful & soul-nourishing.
There are some churches that still read a fair amount of scripture today. You may be in the statistically few that preach of a real hell and judgment of the wicked. It is rarer still to really hear the Gospels being preached as they are. Usually; if not almost always it is the basic message of belief in Christ; and salvation and sometimes a proper emphasis on the subject of Predistination as heavily emphasized in the Book of John (i.e. the "grace gospel"). For some reason Christ's love seems to be seen as the overturning of the tables being the only exception to his annoyance. This misnomer is counterindicated by numerous references; and often toward the Disciples about their unbelief. They were said many times to "harden their hearts"; and as the more well known rebuke to Peter where Christ said "get thee behind me Satan" ( Matt. 16:23 and again in Mark); we also need to see that Peter was rebuking Him. On top of this was family members saying that He was out of His mind; disciples trying to tell Him how to be a King; arguing who was the greatest (of which He gave an amazingly merciful response) and other situations. He was angry with the Pharisees; and also with the Disciples not getting what the meaning of unclean hearts are as contrasted with outward ceremonial law or just traditions of men. There is of course a difference in chastising His own and His warnings about say; blasphemy of the Spirit. Another seemingly overlooked passage is that when the Pharisees rebuked Him for healing or doing the "work" of eating grains on the Sabbath Day. He certainly wasn't inhibited in such activities; at the very least He recognized work as the Father Himself is always working. He is just following suit. When we look at passages like all the Disciples deserting Him; the best thing we can do is ask "help us with our unbelief". Many are tares; others will have to recieve severe rebuke to get them back on the right path.
God bless!
Of course; this all fits in with the fear of the Lord ( Prov. 1:7 etal). It seems like backward logic; at least to the world; who consider themselves free but in reality are slaves to sin ( Romans 6:20 and many other like verses). If we love Him; we obey His commandments. ( 1 John 5:2-3). Love and obedience are NOT mutually exclusive concepts; nor can either survive on their own. Now His saints are free to choose to serve God or to sin; a concept many who correctly believe what's known as the "Grace Gospel" seem to have trouble with. Before we are saved; we are only able to sin. The truth is hidden; as it were like the Parables are to the lost. This ties into His Diety as God in the flesh; hence no earthly saints are to be given special titles such as "Father" ( Matt. 23:9). Let us strive therefore so that we can avoid unnecessary discipline through sins. The way the world views punishment now; His chastisements may seem unduly harsh. It is better than ultimate judgment in hell; and for our own good.
Agape.
That is my understanding from the account of Moses' death and burial in Deuteronomy 34:1-7 It says God buried Moses in the valley in the land of Moab, perhaps below Mt. Nebo where he last spoke with God.
Song of Solomon 4:4, possibly: 2 Samuel 5:9-12, 1Chronicles 11:7, 1Chronicles 15:1,
See: 2 Samuel 8, were some of the things he gotten,
Note: 1Kings 7:51, 1Chronicles 18:8,11,
* 1Chronicles 22, whole chapter
Is Jesus Christ a LAMB.
Is Jesus Christ a TREE.
Is Jesus Christ a ROCK or STONE.
Is Jesus Christ a MOUNTAIN.
Is Jesus Christ WATER.
Is Jesus Christ a FOUNTAIN.
Is Jesus Christ a FIRE.
Is Jesus Christ an ANGEL.
Is Jesus Christ a SWORD, ETC.
There are hundreds of metaphors used to describe CHRIST and GOD.
Sun and Moon happen to be one of those metaphors.
You will never understand the WORD, until you understand the metaphors and parables of God.
May God Bless YOU.
God bless.
The time frame for the Book of Acts is from the time of Jesus' Resurrection (30 or 33A.D.) to the time of the end of Paul's missionary journeys. it is said to have been written in about 60 A.D. Paul's death was about 67 A. D. I believe. So the end of Acts was probably no earlier than 60 A.D. and no later than 67 A.D. depending on when Luke finally parted with Paul before Paul was imprisoned or martyred and when Luke wrote it.
I have often wished we had more of an account of the acts of all the other Apostles, since Acts is mainly about Paul, since Luke was Paul's traveling companion on missions and with the work in the churches founded from Paul's work.
Female = nqebah, both different word than, man = adam = human, mankind
In this sites Concordance references.
I am glad you found my reply helpful.
I don't think you need to worry about having the Holy Spirit within you. he is already residing in you from the time you were converted. No one can say "Jesus is Lord" without the Holy Spirit. So, be assured that you have all that the Holy Spirit has to bring to any believer. You are lacking in nothing in Christ Jesus. But, I agree, we do need to ask the Holy Spirit to guide and protect us as we live in a wicked world and the enticements can be very convincing when we are vulnerable or not watchful. I think we can pray to the Father, or Jesus, or the Holy Spirit or all three anytime, anywhere.
I will pray for your son (and my three)
Heavenly Father, we are mothers of these sons you gave us. We so wanted each of them to grow up knowing and loving you. We did what we could to teach them about and exemplify Jesus to them growing up. But now they are worldly, having turned from you and gone the prodigal way. We grieve so much over this, as I know it grieves You, too. You gave us these sons for Your glory, that they may be saved and serve You. We entrust them to Your will, the influence of Your Holy Spirit, the power of Your grace, and the immense depth of Your love for each of them. We ask that You soon draw them away from the world and the way of unbelief they are walking on right now. Bring a change to their hearts because they cannot do this themselves. It comes from You only. We ask that You return them to faith and trust in You and Your Son, Jesus, who is the only way to be saved.
We thank you for each of these young men and the privilege of being their moms. We look forward to when our grief will be turned into joy when they repent and confess Jesus as their Savior and Lord once again. We look forward to them spending eternity in heaven with You and each of us moms. We believe that You love them more than we ever could and are able to save to the uttermost all that You will. We ask this of You today.
To add to your thoughts, GOD created us in HIS image, & said: Mark 11:23,24, Mark 9:23, Mark 11:24, Mark 16:17-18,
Into a Three Sixty?
Please read : John 11:1-53,
Luke 16:19-31, someone I believe it was "Chris" in previous discussion multiple months ago, pointed out most Parables, if not all were without name, but this one, perhaps being about Lazarus.
John 12:1-18,
The sisters have much also mentioned it appears : Luke 10:38-42,
Matthew 27:56,61, Matthew 28:1, Mark 15:40,47, Mark 16:1,9, Luke 8:2, Luke 24:10, John 19:25, John 20:1-18,
Possibly even: Romans 16:6,
Hopefully these are helpful
I have been part of a home Bible study fellowship; which I had to break out of eventually because of doctrinal issues; and improper personal attack. Nonetheless; there were many things that went on there (with an elderly gentleman that used to be a Pastor and his wife and son hosting meetings) that were commendable.
The first thing that comes to mind is opening their home to those believers that were part of a group met over a number of years from other states and cities and vice versa. The home was sufficient and comfortable; certainly not over the top luxury wise. The only offering taken was for occasional missionary needs (for a time a brother was in Uganda and others were sent funds who were actively preaching in Indonesia; etc.) Some of those individuals went with a group where people were martyred somewhere in the Middle East some years back representing a group from Africa. The father was retired from work; his son does manual labor. They would with a small number of others go witnessing whenever they could (TV was out btw). That would encompass several days a week on the streets downtown; at the Universities; and on several "blitzes" to a number of cities for the better part of a week a couple times a year. Prayer also was very crucial; one member said they used to pray about 9 hrs a week; one hour for every hour witnessing (he also has kids and works full time). Another friend who since has broken out of that group has a study I had attended before moving; he has 6 kids but also street evangelizes and shares with those on his secular store job. I stayed over his house more than once as well.
Once I started going to the spinoff group; the individuals joined a local church and therefore are more balanced. It seems that there are less churches out there evangelizing. I found that during COVID in 2020-1 many were wide open in the food lines.
Lets ask God to hunger and thirst for righteousness.
continued
Jesus had a brain that thought and reasoned and controlled his human body.
So this convinces me that Jesus indeed was both fully God and fully man.
So then I ask, why did God become a man?
In John 1:29, John the Baptist, upon seeing Jesus says, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
And Jesus, Himself, says ( John 3:15-17) "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved."
This tells me that Jesus became a man to take away the sin (all sin) of the world by being a "sacrificial lamb" and the one by which anyone can be saved from their sinfulness and the condemnation that comes with it by believing in Him.
Therefore, since He is Truth, I believe that He is the only one who can save me from my sins.
The Gospels tell me that Jesus told people that their sins are forgiven. Only God can forgive sins. So, if I want my sins forgiven, I must believe that they are forgiven by and through Jesus.
The next question I ask is: If Jesus came to take away the sins of others, did He have sins to be forgiven?
I must admit that God does not have any sin in Him, and if Jesus is God, He is without sin.
I am also told that in 2 Corinthians 5:21 "For He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (NIV)
From this passage, I am told that Jesus never sinned, but to make us righteous before God, He became sin for us (in His death)
Before this verse, Paul says in 1Corinthians 5:14- 15 that Jesus died for all.
...continued
"He who knew no sin became sin
Part 2
Then we go to John 1:14-18 which tells us that the Word (spoken of in verse 1) "became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld
His glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (NIV)
This tells me that The Word spoken of in verse 1 is Jesus. This tells me that Jesus existed before He became flesh, being the Word of God and with God and is God.
So here we have the Word becoming a human person but still being God. Whoa!
But it says Jesus was full of grace and truth, so what is said about Him by John is to believed as true.
So now I know why Jesus was unique and singularly special. Well, then I ask, "What did He do to show His deity?
I read the accounts of His life and works in the Gospels and I find that He performed miracles that only God could do.
I find that He had power of demons, which only God can have.
I find that He expanded on the Law in the Sermon on the Mount that only God can legitimately claim to have authority to do.
I find that He was one with the Father and if one has seen Him they have seen the Father, which is a claim to be God.
I find that He was transfigured on the mountain with His disciples present to witness. Only God can have such glory.
I find that He said He had the authority to lay down His own life and to take it back up again. Only God can raise someone from the dead, and He said that He would raise Himself from the dead.
I find that He predicted His death and resurrection ahead of time and it happened just as He said, even being in the grave for three days before rising again.
Then I ask, how do I know He was human as well as divine? Again I go to the Gospel accounts.
He was conceived in the womb of Mary by the Holy Spirit, grew within her and was born as a baby. He had flesh, bones, and blood. He grew and matured, He ate, slept, got tired, was able to be injured, and die. He did all of the things that humans did and had a body made of matter, DNA. -continued
Numbers 16:5,
Matthew 20:16, Matthew 22:14,
John 6:70, John 13:18, Acts 1:2,
Hopefully these are helpful
Very well laid out and great use of scripture. Amen!
Thanks for your reply.
This is such a important are of scripture.
God bless you.