Who is Jesus?

     God created us in His image (Genesis 1:27) but often, our temptation is to make God in our image.  Some people have made idols --graven images--of what think God should be.   I imagine most of you reading this have never literally worshipped a graven image.  But many of us still make God in our own image.  By that, I mean that we only see the attributes of God that suit us.  Some only see Him as a God of love, without seeing His righteousness.  Some only see His justice, without seeing His forgiveness.  Some people who don't even acknowledge Him most of the time are very quick to say, "But the Bible says not to judge!" While the Bible does say Judge not, lest you be judged... (Matthew 7:1), those who disregard the rest of scripture and quote this verse are taking it out of context and using it for their own selfish ends.  Out in the world, people make God out to be a god to their liking.  

     What about Bible-believing Christians?  Do we do it too?  Clearly, we are not bowing to statues and worshiping them.  And hopefully, we aren't denying some of God's attributes to overemphasize others.  And yet we can still fall into that.  This is most common when we look at Jesus, God the Son.  

     In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asked a crucial question: But who do you say that I am?  Our answer to that question determines where we will spend eternity.  Peter got it right when he answered Jesus, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.  (Matthew 16:16).  There are a lot of things we can disagree on, but if we don't agree on who Jesus is, we're in trouble.  Jesus Himself said, I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  (John 14:6).  Jesus described Himself as the only way to God, at the exclusion of all other ways.  This is a far cry from our pluralistic society, that wants everyone to just affirm all beliefs as being right and good.  Some even say that Jesus wants us all to agree and get along at all costs, and they paint Jesus as a wimpy little peace guru who never stands for anything.  I don't know what Jesus they're talking about, but it isn't the Jesus of the Bible.  

     A lot of religions include Jesus as an important figure, but He isn't seen as Divine.  To Muslims, Jesus was a prophet.  To many Hindus, Jesus is a guru.  To some Buddhists, Jesus is an ascended being, having lived many previous lives.  To Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus is the archangel Michael, and the first created being.  To Mormons, Jesus is our elder spirit brother, as well as the brother of Lucifer, who achieved godhood, and paid for our sins through his sweat in the Garden of Gethsemane (not through His blood at Calvary).  To Progressive (so-called) Christians, Jesus was a carpenter in ancient Palestine who set an example, and only "became" Christ by inspiring others (and he only rose from the dead in the minds of those who follow his example. See here.).  

     It is easy to look at these other belief systems and think, "They believe in Jesus.  Maybe they're not that far off.  Maybe we should think of them as our brothers and sisters in Christ."  That sounds so kind, and a part of me would love to agree, but that just isn't biblical, or logical.  They believe in Jesus, but which Jesus?  Jesus the Lord?  Jesus, God the Son, the Son of God?  No.  None of these false belief systems can say that.  What if I had a cup of water, and I decided to call it "Jesus" and believe in that cup of water, and I told everyone, "I believe in Jesus.  See?"  Well, I'm saying the right words, that I believe in Jesus, but that cup of water is not Jesus!  The same is true of the Jesus each of these groups espouses.  

     Jesus came to save us from the penalty of our sins, by taking it upon Himself when He died on the cross, conquering it when he rose on the third day.  While He walked this earth, He showed us what God was like.  That is why Colossians 1:15 refers to Him as, the image of the invisible God.  Jesus, along with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, created all things (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16-17).  Jesus said that He and the Father were one (John 8:31).  He is the God of love who left His kingdom for a time, in order to bring people back with Him (John 1:14).  He is the God of creation, who calmed the storm (Mark 4:39).  He is the righteous Lord, who challenged those who perverted God's word (John 8:31-59).  He is the forgiving Savior, who delivered demoniacs, adulteresses, and others suffering with ailments, but He also urged them to sin no more (John 5:14; John 8:11).  I love how the Christian and Missionary Alliance (an evangelical denomination) calls Jesus our Savior, Sanctifier, Healer and Coming King.  That sums it up quite well.  

     A lot of people like to see Jesus as our example.  Other's see Him as a political revolutionary.  Still others, misunderstanding his interactions with the Pharisees, see Jesus as someone who just wanted to rock the boat and challenge the status quo.  These perceptions of Jesus are so limited, and not really true.  Jesus is God.  He is our only hope of eternal life.  He is the Savior.  One day, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:11).  Those who deny Jesus now, or those who like to see Him in their image, will one day be humbled, and will bow their knee to the real and reigning Savior, Jesus Christ.  For many, it will be too late, and their acknowledgement of Jesus will come from hell (Philippians 2:10).  We need to be introducing others to the real Jesus before it is too late (Today is the day of salvation--Second Corinthians 6:2).  

     If you love the Lord and believe the Bible, you likely have the correct answer to the question of who Jesus is.  But here is a way many true Christians  still often reduce and minimize Jesus.  Jesus becomes a theological concept, rather than the God who saves us and wants a relationship with us.  Mind you, it is vital to have correct theology about who Jesus is.  That's what I've been saying this whole post.  But if we leave it at that, we are a lot like those Paul warned Timothy about, Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof... (Second Timothy 3:5).  Some develop an almost robotic Christian walk, reading the Bible out of duty, obeying it's claims and commands, and then going about their day in their own strength, rather than letting God speak to our hearts, and specifically seeking His guidance and will in every situation.  Jesus said in John 10:27, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  Correct beliefs about Jesus won't just stay correct beliefs, but will lead to deeper closenesswith Him.  I hold correct beliefs about George Washington--he was the first President of the United States.  He died in 1799, at age 67.  He was married to Martha from 1757 until his death.  He was the only US President who never lived in the White House (because it wasn't built until John Adams was President).  See.  I know a lot of correct info about George Washington.  But I'm not depending on good old George to get me through the day, guide my life, or make an impact on my day-to-day decisions.  Jesus isn't just a theological concept to be believed, but a Lord to know and follow, just as the disciples followed Him on earth.  You hear His voice when you read the Bible, and allow the Holy Spirit to speak truth to your heart.  

     Who do you say Jesus is?  Think hard about that before you answer.  Your eternity is resting on what you believe.  Jesus is the Image of God, our Lord, and our God.  Thomas was known as a doubter, but when he saw the risen Savior, he exclaimed, My Lord and my God!  (John 20:28).  Is that who He is to you?  Search God's word for answers, and ask Him to search your heart, to see if you have made Jesus in your life who the Bible says He is.  

Convictions

     A friend and fellow mission trip partner years ago held the conviction that we should never talk about anyone if they weren't standing right there.  Her heart was pure and right in this.  On a basic level, I agree.  However, the degree to which she took it backfired on her (and me).  We had a teacher at missionary school who was very harsh and legalistic.  He made a hurtful comment to her, personally, in front of others.  He then told all of us we were failing in our ministries.  When she and I were alone praying together that evening (we did that every night), she confided how much this teacher had hurt her feelings, and I sympathized and agreed.  That was all we said before moving on.  The next day, this sweet teammate felt so convicted that she had been wrong to express frustration about him toward me during our prayer time that she went and confessed to him, "Janelle and I were gossiping about you yesterday."  She felt better, but he was offended--and then he started targeting us both more with his meanness!  Her conviction changed a little bit after that experience.

I am pictured on this 2001 college-aged mission trip, sharing the Gospel.  My sweet teammate is not pictured, nor is the mean teacher.

     As Christians, how should we form our convictions?  What happens when we re-examine them later on and find we no longer hold those convictions?  Does it mean we were wrong?  When and how should we change our convictions?  

     As a very basic truth, our convictions must line up with the Bible.  Convictions that are directly out of God's word shouldn't change.  The Bible says not to steal, so that should be my conviction, now and always.  The same is true for anything directly from God's word.  I am going to assume you are actively trying to live by God's word, so I won't go into further detail about that.  

     Some convictions aren't technically black and white in the Bible, but are godly ideas.  Paul addressed this in Romans 14.  In that passage, he is talking about how some believers had freedom of conscience to eat meat offered to idols, and others felt it was a sin.  Paul urged them not to judge each other and not to make each other stumble, before adding, For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. (Romans 14:23b).  This clearly illustrates that sometimes, godly, Jesus-following, Bible-honoring Christians might have different convictions deep in their hearts, and they need to follow those convictions.  To go against one's conscience is a sin.  By allowing this to be in His Holy Word, God is acknowledging that not everything is cut and dried.  There are a lot of factors that might determine how someone is led in a given situation.  

     Years ago, a certain television show was a stumbling block to me.  It was a favorite, but it was a stumbling block at that time in my life.  My conviction about it grew, until I knew God was leading me to give it up, and I did.  For years, I didn't watch it.  After a little while, I barely ever thought about it.  Years later, I encountered it again, and at that different point in life, it was no longer a stumbling block to me.  I was able to enjoy it without that struggle I'd had before.  If I were to tell you what the show was, you'd probably laugh that it made me stumble at one time.  But it did, and my conscience propelled me to give it up for a while.  

     Have you ever felt strongly about something, only to discover years later that you no longer felt that way?  What reasons should we change our convictions?  When should we keep our convictions?

Here are some reasons our convictions should not change:

*The Bible is very clear about this particular issue.  God's won't change (Numbers 23:19; James 1:17), so you shouldn't either.  

*Your conscience still leads you to hold onto this conviction (Romans 14:23)

*Outrightly or publicly changing it could be a stumbling block to others (Romans 14:13)

*Outrightly or publicly changing your conviction could create a conflict of some sort (Matthew 5:9).  And yes, there are times when God leads us to make a stand that creates conflict, but be certain that is how you are led before doing so.

Note, with the last two above, you can technically still change what you believe about the conviction, but it wouldn't be wise to flaunt your new belief.  For an example, it is the conviction of many Christians that believers are required to tithe 10%, whereas others hold that this was an Old Testament command that is replaced with the New Testament teaching Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (Second Corinthians 9:7).  If you have the conviction that you are free to give whatever amount God has led, without worrying about it being 10% or not, that is great, but flaunting that, especially if your church holds to the 10% tithe, can create conflict.  Quietly give the amount you are led, but don't create a problem for others.  

Here are some reasons to change your conviction:

*It wasn't biblical to begin with.  I used to know someone who had the conviction that you should never try to convert members of another religion to Christianity, because that seemed disrespectful.  As this person grew in the Lord, they came to see that we are called in scripture to reach everyone with the Gospel.  The conviction changed to align with God's Word.  

*The conviction itself was a cover for sin, or other character defects that need to be dealt with.  I had a friend years ago who was disobeying the prompting of the Holy Spirit in an area of surrender in her life.  She didn't surrender this area to the Lordship of Christ, even though she confided in me she knew she should.  To compensate for this sin, she developed very legalistic convictions.  She started saying it was a sin to shop at a store if there was another one that had the same product a few cents cheaper, because it was being a bad steward.  I had the "freedom" to shop at a certain grocery store, which was around the corner from my apartment at the time, so I could walk.  I had developed a relationship with the employees there, and had been able to share the Gospel.  It was worth the few pennies extra I spent there than I would have  spent by driving an extra few miles to go to another store that was slightly cheaper.  But this was a deep conviction that she confronted me for.  It wasn't a real conviction from the Lord.  It was a cover for her own lack of real surrender about something a lot more important than grocery stores.  And lest I only pick on others, I used to use convictions out of fear, and would use them to control others.  There was a time when a certain popular version of the Bible had a bad connotation to me (very long story as to why), and I refused to use it.  It was one of the main versions used in our ministry at the time (they have since switched), and I inconvenienced a lot of people by refusing to use it back then.  It wasn't a real conviction based on actual logic or reasoning.  That's the next point.

*You learn truth that undermines the reason for the conviction.  As a senior in Bible college, I did a paper on different Bible translations, and why we have so many versions in English.  It was a much more complex subject that I realized.  I came to discover that the version I was so down on wasn't a bad translation.  In light of the truth learned, I was forced to change my stance, and admit it was an emotional response, not an intellectual one.  

*God has shown you that you can let go of that conviction.  This goes with my experience of being led to give up that TV show for a while, but had freedom to watch it later.  It isn't that God's truth changes.  Where you're at in life, and the things that make you struggle change.  

     The most important convictions we hold come from God's word.  No matter what your convictions are on the non-essential issues, make sure to Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  (Second Timothy 2:15).