WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT SALVATION? (Part 3)

Here is an excerpt from the August 2011 newsletter. Hope you find it refreshing.

JESUS

I. WHO WAS JESUS?
II. WHO IS JESUS?
III. WHO IS JESUS TO YOU?

All references will be taken from the Holy Bible, King James version (KJV).

I. Who Was JESUS?

Jesus was the Word
Let us go first to the book of St. John, chapter 1 verse 1. The scripture says:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

‘Word’ (Logos, pronounced lo'-gos) refers to speech uttered by a living voice. Generally, ‘Word’ is also reason or the mental faculty of thinking, meditating, reasoning and calculating. However, in the book of St. John it denotes the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal wisdom and power in union with God. Look at what verse 3 says:

“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

Something very interesting happens in verse 3. A personal pronoun ‘him’ is given to the Word establishing that the Word was a person. It also says that He made everything. Let us now go to the book of Genesis chapter 1 verse 26 to find Him.

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”

Remember, we are looking for the ‘Word’ in Genesis. Since we know that He made all things, if He is to be found here, He must be one of the ‘US’ and ‘OUR’ mentioned here as Elohiym (pronounced el•ō•hēm'). The name Elohiym is a plural Hebrew word used throughout the Holy Bible and is translated as God.

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Jesus was man
All mankind became separated from God because of Adam’s disobedience. This is the reason why 'the Word' gave up Heaven temporarily to become a man. He was to become the ultimate sacrifice for all mankind to reunite us with Yehovah the father.

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

Prior to Jesus becoming flesh or human He was in the form of God. In Philippians 2 verse 6, the English word ‘form’ is translated from the Greek—MORPHE, pronounced mor-fā'. It refers to the external appearance or the form by which a thing strikes the vision.

“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:”

The Word, JESUS, became a man and experienced the things that mankind experienced. He then gave himself as the ultimate sacrifice for all mankind so that through Him all would have the opportunity to be reconnected to God.

“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:7-8

“For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” Hebrews 9:26

When He died on the cross, the man Jesus was separated from God just like us. This is because He took the sin of the world upon Himself.

“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Mark 15:34

The Holy Bible tells us that sin separates man from God.

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2


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WHAT’S MISSING? (This is for you!)

According to the Bible, mankind began with family and all of civilization originated from one family. As a result mankind has always been drawn to procreate. The universe is expanding and because of separation from God, everything in creation is deteriorating. Science has tried to give us evidence of the expanding universe while the Bible and history have given us evidence of the deterioration of creation.

The Bible tells us that previously, people lived for hundreds of years and now the average human life is about 70 years. But the life span of man and creation are not the only things that have deteriorated. Throughout the millennia, we can historically trace the deterioration of the family unit as well and the deterioration of all things can be traced to the moment man was separated from God when he did what God told him not to do. Since then, mankind has been left with a sense of loss, a void, and all humans have been sojourners, wanderers and pilgrims through time.

In his search to fill this void man has turned to many things. Fraternities, clubs, churches, temples, cathedrals, mosques, social gatherings, gangs and secret societies are just a few. One of the reasons why these are so alluring to many is that those who join come to feel a sense of belonging. To them it is as if that ‘thing’ that was missing is found in these. This new found ‘thing’ gives a sense of brotherhood, sisterhood, or family. But there is still a void.

Many psychologists, guidance counselors, the clergy and others have tried to find out what that elusive missing ‘thing’ is, outside of a relationship with God through Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit. They have been unsuccessful. Can one teach self or someone else something one does NOT know? I have heard people say: “I taught myself how to ride a bicycle!” They were able to teach themselves how to ride a bicycle because they already had knowledge of the concept of riding. The concept of teaching something implies foreknowledge of the thing to be taught. Without knowledge beforehand, there can be no teaching.

The ‘thing’ that’s missing for you is: GOD IN YOU.

We know that Jesus is the link between us and God. Look at what the scriptures say:

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 (KJV)

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23 (KJV)

Jesus was Emmanuel or God with us.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:1, 14 (KJV)

Jesus is called the Word. The Word became flesh and blood.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6 (KJV)

Jesus is the only way to reconnect to God.

Jesus was God but temporarily gave up His divinity to become a man. He lived on earth and experienced the same things that we experience but did not sin.

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 (KJV)

When Jesus died and was resurrected he reclaimed His divinity. He went to sit next to God the father in Heaven to tell God how much He understands what we go through and to intercede for us because He went through the same things.

“Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:34 (KJV)

If you are not connected to God because Christ Jesus is missing from your life, simply believe and repeat the following prayer:

“Almighty Father in Heaven, I am separated from you because of the things that you hate. I do not want to practice these things anymore. In fact, I reject those things now and repent of all that I have done wrong. I believe that you sent Jesus Christ to die for me and I believe that you raised Him from the dead. I believe that Jesus Christ is seated at your right hand and is making intercession for me. I accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of my life and in Jesus’ name I pray this prayer now. Amen. Hallelujah!”

Now that you have done this, you are reconnected to God. You have the assurance of this through faith. You believed God and you accepted Christ. This was your faith in action. I said: “You are now reconnected to God.” Now you must feed your reconnected spirit with the Holy Bible. Start with the book of St. John. Pray before you read and ask the Holy Spirit teach you in Jesus’ name. Praise God!