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The Amazing Humanity of Jesus Christ
Or, The Benefit of Christ's Birth
This art print, "Be It Unto Me" by Liz Lemon Swindle is
provided courtesy of Christ-Centered
Art" ---New Window.
"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).
by Tom Stewart
Preface
he Second Advent of the
Messiah has long been anticipated by the Church of Jesus Christ; and even more, the
Godly have been enjoined to reverently hasten their LORD's return by faithful witness
and believing prayer, i.e., "Come, LORD
Jesus" (Revelation 22:20). "Looking for and hasting
unto the coming [literally, hastening the coming] of the day of God"
(2Peter 3:12).
Even so, the conduct of the True Saints, who await the soon return of their Saviour,
is inescapably linked to the events of the First Christmas. "And without controversy great is the Mystery of Godliness:
God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached
unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory" (1Timothy 3:16). Because the
Son of God, Who is the "True God, and
Eternal Life" (1John
5:20), has chosen to manifest Himself as Truly
a Man, i.e., the Son of Man (Luke 19:10), He left us "an
example, that [we] should follow His steps"
(1Peter 2:21). "And
the angel answered and said unto [Mary], The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the Power of
the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that Holy Thing which shall be
born of thee shall be called the Son of God"
(Luke 1:35).
If Jesus of Nazareth was only a mere man, then His birth would provide no more than
intellectual conversation for theologians, slight interest for historians, or unbalanced
fascination for devotees. "And [Jesus] saith unto
them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto Him, Thou art
the Christ" (Mark 8:29).
And, if Jesus was only another New Age incarnation of the Christ Consciousness, and
not the "fulness of the Godhead bodily" (Colossians 2:9), then He rightly deserved to die on that Roman cross for
the sin of blasphemy... "because that
Thou, being a man, makest Thyself God" (John 10:33). Moreover, if
Jesus Christ is only one of many in a pantheon of gods, and not singularly, the Only
"Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6), then He would not be the Omnipotent God. "16
For by Him were all things created, that are
in Heaven, and that are in Earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones,
or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for
Him: 17 And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist" (Colossians 1:16-17). Further,
if Jesus is not God Almighty, then the ancient prophecies predicted a lie. "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given:
and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful,
Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
But, if Jesus is the "I Am" (John 8:58) that appeared
to Moses on the backside of the desert (Exodus 3:14), then His Christmas Advent as a real, human baby, was necessary:
Scriptural Proof of Christ's Human Nature
His Miraculous Conception.
His Miraculous Though Human Birth.
He Partook of Flesh and Blood.
He Possesses a Human Soul.
Jesus Began Life With Physical Circumcision, And He Continued to Increase In Wisdom and Stature.
Christ Experienced Weeping and Hungering.
The LORD Jesus Knew Thirsting, Sleeping, and Weariness.
He Was a Man of Sorrows.
The Pain of Buffeting, Indignities, and Scourging Were Endured By the Saviour.
The Suffering of the Cross, His Death, and His Side Pierced, Were the Circumstances at the Close of His Earthly Life.
The Humiliation of His Burial and the Glory of His Resurrection Speak of the Necessity of His Human Nature to the Gospel Message.
Christ's Human Nature Fulfilled Old Testament
Prophecy
he redemption of mankind
from his sins, has been the intention of the God of Love from the beginning. "And I will put enmity between thee [Satan] and
the woman, and between thy seed and her Seed; It shall bruise thy head, and thou
shalt bruise His heel" (Genesis 3:15). Much of God's redemptive program seems mysterious
to us because His ways are so much higher than our ways. "For
as the Heavens are higher than the Earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and
My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9). The "seed" (Genesis 3:15) of the woman makes embryonic reference to the Virgin Birth
and Humanity of the LORD Jesus Christ. Even before we had confessed that we were
sinners, the Father had been preparing His Son to be the "propitiation
for our sins" (1John
2:2). Satan bruised the heel of the LORD Jesus
Christ on the Cross, but only temporarily. "Which
none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have
crucified the LORD of Glory" (1Corinthians 2:8). However,
Satan's head was bruised by the LORD Jesus Christ, ultimately, for Eternity. "And the Devil that deceived them was cast into the
Lake of Fire and Brimstone, where the Beast and the False Prophet are, and shall
be tormented day and night for ever and ever"
(Revelation 20:10).
The LORD Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son (1John
4:9) of the Father, was always and eternally
begotten in His person. "I will declare
the decree: the LORD hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten
Thee" (Psalm 2:7). But, the Son's manifestation in human flesh occurred only
about 2,000 years ago. "When the fulness
of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the Law" (Galatians 4:4). The Humanity of Christ is part of the "Mystery of Godliness"
(1Timothy 3:16).
Only a man with a willing heart to do the will of God could understand such a puzzle.
"If any man will do His will [literally, is willing to do His will], he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether
I speak of Myself" (John
7:17).
When the LORD Jesus was confronted with the contentious and deceptive questions of
the scribes and Pharisees, He proposed His own question to them, which if they answered,
He would answer their questions. Jesus addressed the Messianic significance of the
Second Psalm, which lends itself to the both the concepts of the Divinity and Humanity
of the Messiah. "The LORD said unto
my Lord, Sit thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool" (Psalm 110:1).
Jesus addressed the scribes, who claimed to believe the Scriptures, with the seeming
contradiction that the Messiah, who would be "David's
son" (humanity of Christ), would also
be David's "LORD" or Superior (divinity of Christ). "41 And
He said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son? 42
And David himself saith in the book of Psalms,
The LORD [the Father] said unto my LORD [the Son], Sit Thou on My right hand, 43 Till I make Thine
enemies Thy footstool. 44 David therefore calleth
Him LORD, how is he [David] then His son?" (Luke 20:41-44).
The Virgin Birth of Christ was the appointed means to manifest God in human flesh.
"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). Since the Only Wise God
(Romans 16:27) chooses the most suitable means
to the end of redeeming mankind from his sins, the humanity of Christ was necessary.
"And the angel answered and said unto
her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the Power of the Highest shall overshadow
thee: therefore also that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called
the Son of God" (Luke 1:35). As the "Apostle and
High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus" (Hebrews
3:1) had to become a man to perform the high
priestly duties of making reconciliation for our sins. "17 Wherefore in all things
it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a Merciful and
Faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the
sins of the people. 18
For in that He Himself hath suffered being
tempted, He is able to succour [literally,
help] them that are tempted" (2:17-18). If we view God's conduct toward man from the Creation until now,
we will better appreciate that God's manifestation of Himself to us through the Son
and the Holy Spirit, reveals that He is a God that is benevolently, personally interested
in our welfare. "Am I a God at hand, saith
the LORD, and not a God afar off?" (Jeremiah 23:23). His presence on this planet through the humanity of the
LORD Jesus, demonstrates His desire to give man rest from his sins. "And He said, My presence shall go with thee, and I
will give thee rest" (Exodus
33:14).
The Old Testament of the Scriptures is replete with clues of God's purpose to redeem
and govern mankind through the human advent of the Divine Son of God. "6 For unto us a Child
is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and
His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no
end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish
it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the
LORD of Hosts will perform this" (Isaiah
9:6-7). What astounds us is that the
Son of God condescended to become a man-- to suffer all the difficulties of
the flesh and the human condition, "yet
without sin" (Hebrews
4:15). Heaven will surely be filled with the
Saints' praise and admiration for so bold an act of love that the Son of Man would
become human flesh and then "lay down
His life for His friends" (John 15:13). "Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" (15:14).
Christ's Human Sinlessness Proves the Justice
of God's Demand for Man's Sinlessness
t is a forthright point
of Biblical theology to state that Jesus is truly God Almighty and that He was truly
born as a human baby nearly 2,000 years ago; but, the uniqueness of His person has
caused many in the study of theology to discount the value of His human sinless
life. "And ye know that He was manifested
to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin" (1John
3:5). "Sure," they may say, "Jesus
did not sin while in human flesh, but that's because He is God." But, this misses
the point entirely of why the Almighty had to resort to such a daring move as to
allow His Eternally Begotten Son to become a defenseless babe in a manger. "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth" (1Peter 2:22). You can nearly
see in your mind the picture of the Father discussing with the Son that mankind would
object to His demand of sinless living as unreasonable and unobtainable because no
one could live without sin while in human flesh. But, then the Son said, "Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written
of Me,) to do Thy will, O God" (Hebrews 10:7). The Son of
God was willing to undergo all the difficulties, humiliations, and sufferings of
the human condition, if only the attainability of a sinless walk from man could
be proved, then the Father's wisdom and justice of requiring it would be justified.
"5 But whoso keepeth
His Word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are
in Him. 6 He that saith he
abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked" (1John 2:5-6).
The Son of God volunteered to become a man, because He desired to justify the Father's
demand of loving obedience from all the children of men. "For
this is the love of God, that we keep His Commandments: and His Commandments are
not grievous" (1John
5:3). Since "grievous" Commandments are unbearable and impossible to obey, the
Son had to demonstrate that man in human flesh could obey everything that
the Father commanded of all men. "37 Jesus said unto him, Thou
shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all
thy mind. 38 This is the first and Great Commandment. 39 And the second is
like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Matthew 22:37-39). And, if Satan could stumble Jesus into sinning, then Satan would
justify himself for his rebellion, as well as humiliate the Father for requiring
more than He ought from His creation. "If
ye love Me, keep My Commandments" (John 14:15).
If one must be the Son of God to obey completely the Father, then no one needs to
feel himself rebellious for giving only the semblance of partial obedience. But,
"whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and
yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all"
(James 2:10).
Jesus came to destroy the arguments of self-justification that allow man to hide
behind physical flesh as his excuse for sinning. Instead, the Son of God's manifestation
in human flesh was to obliterate man's arguments of self-justification for why he
sins, which arguments are the "works of
the devil". "He
that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of
the devil" (1John 3:8).
Sin is so rampant in this world, and in the Professed Church, because excuse is found
everywhere that our flesh made us to sin. "And
the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree,
and I did eat" (Genesis 3:12).
Man has transposed sin away from his willful disobedience of God and metaphysically
made human flesh the residence of sin, as evidenced by the misunderstanding many
have of the Apostle Paul's inspired reference to "sinful
flesh". "For
what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his
own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh" (Romans 8:3). Flesh can only be sinful by how we use it, else wise Christ
could not have "condemned sin in
the flesh" (8:3) without obliterating flesh entirely-- which He did not.
"19 What? know ye not
that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of
God, and ye are not your own? 20 For
ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit,
which are God's" (1Corinthians
6:19-20). Brother Paul goes on to disabuse
us of any misconception we have that flesh, by itself, is sinful, by further
informing us that:
If we desire to honor God for His Love, Truth,
Mercy, and Grace, then we ought to give the Son of God the "glory and honour and power" (Revelation
4:11) for walking in human flesh without
sinning, without having to resort to miraculous or supernatural advantages normally
unavailable to mortal man. "Though
He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). Instead of
calling for the assistance of angels to stand in for Him when obedience was difficult
and sinning was easy, i.e., "Thinkest
thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than
twelve legions of angels?" (Matthew 26:53), Jesus chose to be humanly perfected and matured by
His human sufferings. "For it became
Him [the Father],
for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory,
to make the Captain of Their Salvation [Jesus] perfect through sufferings"
(Hebrews 2:10).
The sinless obedience of Christ while in human flesh magnifies the wise choice of
God to create man and to wisely and certainly expect that man must perfectly obey
Him, "as unto a Faithful Creator" (1Peter 4:19). "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge
of God! how unsearchable are His Judgments, and His ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:33). If the Son of God was the only man to ever obey the Father,
then God would still be praised for the wisdom and justice of His decision to require
loving and sinless obedience from man. "Let
God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That Thou mightest be justified
in Thy Sayings, and mightest overcome when Thou art judged"
(3:4). But, the truth is that any time that
any man ever does obey the Father, it is because the New Covenant's gift of the Spirit
of Christ is working in us to "will and
to do of His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). And, that
working in us comes only when we trust Him. "If
thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23).
Christ's Human Nature Exemplifies How We
Can and Ought to Live
ince Jesus is truly the
Almighty God, being "declared to be the
Son of God with power" (Romans
1:4), and since Christ is also truly man, being
"in all points tempted like as we are,
yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15), then the human nature of Jesus Christ joyfully announces to all
mankind that we can and ought to live without sinning. "He
that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked" (1John 2:6).
Even as the "Law of the Spirit of life
in Christ Jesus hath made [us] free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2),
He has set us free as "His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should
walk in them" (Ephesians
2:10). No longer are we to cower as sinners,
sinning while awaiting the execution of the penalty for our deeds. "And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime
subject to bondage" (Hebrews
2:15). The Christmas gifts that the LORD Jesus
has given us include not only His atonement for our sins, but His deliverance of
us from any necessity to sin. "Whosoever
is born of God doth not commit sin; for His Seed remaineth in him: and he cannot
sin, because he is born of God" (1John 3:9).
It was vital that the Son of God manifested Himself to us as Emmanuel (Matthew 1:23), because it
demonstrated through Jesus' perfect human example that God is justified in expecting
and receiving perfect obedience, i.e., walking without sinning, from His Saints.
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your
Father which is in Heaven is perfect"
(Matthew 5:48).
It is a depreciation of the true value of the humanity of the LORD Jesus Christ,
to say that Christ was only able to walk perfectly in this world without sinning,
because His Divine Nature somehow metaphysically extinguished the sin in His human
nature. "1 For every high priest
taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may
offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that
are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity" (Hebrews 5:1-2).
Jesus' perfect human example evidences that the only sin in the human nature comes
when we actually commit sin, not by merely being human. "Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in
the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and
were by nature the children of wrath, even as others"
(Ephesians 2:3).
But, after we have confessed "our sins,
He is Faithful and Just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness" (1John
1:9), then we are without sin in our human
nature, and can partake again in the Divine Nature. "Whereby
are given unto us Exceeding Great and Precious Promises: that by these ye might be
partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the
world through lust" (2Peter 1:4). The great tragedy for mankind and for the Professed Church, is
that the humanity of Jesus Christ is either only a good example or only
a preview of how life will be lived "when we all get to Heaven". But, how
much more has His Divine Power "given
unto us all things that pertain unto Life and Godliness, through the knowledge of
Him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (1:3)?
If the Pre-Tribulational Rapture and departure of the Saints is so close at hand,
why need we any further discussion of how the Professed Church could have or should
have lived? Because the prospect of anyone departing this planet for Heaven is still
contingent upon whether we are walking according to the "righteousness
which is of faith" (Romans 10:6). If we do not learn and live what Abraham understood-- "Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him
for righteousness" (Romans 4:3)-- then we will not experience the blessings of Abraham. "18 Who against hope believed
in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which
was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And
being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about
an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: 20
He staggered not at the Promise of God through
unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded
that, what He had Promised, He was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it
was imputed to him for righteousness"
(Romans 4:18-22).
Likewise, our worthiness to be Pre-Tribulationally Raptured is based upon the "righteousness of faith"
(Romans 4:13).
"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape
all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).
Conclusion
he doctrine of the humanity
of Christ is so important that the true confession of it, is a test of belonging
to God. "Hereby know ye the Spirit of
God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is
of God" (1John 4:2).
In fact, the human nature of Christ will be denied by the Antichrist. "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who
confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and
an antichrist" (2John 7).
"The Antichrist denies not only that Jesus is solely the Christ-- and continues
to be so-- but, Antichrist also denies that Jesus the Christ dwells in a resurrected,
fleshly body-- and continues to do so-- while he, the Antichrist, obviously claims
to be dwelling in human flesh" (excerpted from
our article, "Antichrist
Shall Come" ---New
Window). "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus
Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist,
whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world" (1John 4:3).
Because of the celebration of Christmas, we have been benefited by a thorough familiarization
with the idea of the birth of the Baby Jesus in a Bethlehem manger. "1 And it came to pass in those
days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should
be taxed. 2 (And
this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also
went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of
David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed
with Mary his espoused wife, being great with Child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were
accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her Firstborn Son, and wrapped Him
in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them
in the inn. 8
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch
over their flock by night. 9
And, lo, the angel of the LORD came upon them, and the glory of the LORD shone round
about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I
bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the LORD. 12
And this shall be a Sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,
lying in a manger. 13
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God,
and saying, 14
Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:1-14).
But, the true benefit of the Christmas Story is the manifestation of the Son of
God in human flesh to "redeem us
from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14). We need to be reminded that the Little Baby in a Bethlehem manger
was named Jesus, by His Father, because "He
shall save His people from their sins" (Matthew
1:21). So great is His Salvation, that He not
only would redeem us from the "wrath to
come" (1Thessalonians
1:10), but the Spirit of Christ, Who is the
True Spirit of Christmas, would secure for Himself a wonderful change of heart
in the children of men that would cause loving obedience in His people. "And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you
to walk in My Statutes, and ye shall keep My Judgments, and do them" (Ezekiel 36:27). And, the willingness of His people seems to be the very
issue that connects the reason for the advent of Jesus at the First Christmas with
His soon return. "Thy people shall be
willing in the day of Thy Power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the
morning: Thou hast the dew of Thy youth" (Psalm
110:3).
.
Related Topics:
The Wisdom
of Seeking the Messiah ---New Window
by Tom Stewart
"But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy
God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul" (Deuteronomy 4:29).
"The Second Psalm is the most concise revelation of the
Person and Nature of the Messiah in the Psalms. It begins with a prophecy of the
opposition of both Gentile and Jew against the LORD and His Messiah, and manifests
Jehovah's wrathful displeasure in their rebellion. '1 Why do the heathen
[i.e., the Gentiles] rage, and
the people [i.e., Israel, God's peculiar people] imagine a vain thing? 2 The
kings of the Earth [i.e., Rome's Pontius Pilate]
set themselves, and the rulers [i.e.,
Israel's Herod Antipas] take counsel together, against
the LORD, and against His Anointed [Hebrew, mashiyach,
meaning Messiah], saying, 3
Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords
from us [i.e., both Gentile and Jew assert their intention
to break God's Law and live in open rebellion of Jehovah's restraint]. 4 He
that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall He speak
unto them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure'
(2:1-5). The Almighty
establishes the Kingdom of the Messiah; and accordingly, the Messiah declares Himself
to be the Son of God and royally decrees His Own Universal Dominion. '6 Yet
have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion. 7
I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto Me, Thou
art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee. 8
Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance,
and the uttermost parts of the Earth for Thy possession. 9
Thou shalt break them with a Rod of Iron; Thou shalt dash them
in pieces like a potter's vessel' (2:6-9). Wisdom is to submit to God;
and, the Salvation of rebellious man resides in making peace with the Messiah, placing
their confidence in the beneficence of the Messiah, Who will ultimately set in Judgment
over the whole Earth."
This art print, "No Greater Love" by Robert
Grace is provided courtesy of Christ-Centered Art ---New Window.
What
the Bible Says About
Why Did Jesus Have to Suffer? ---New
Window
by Tom Stewart
"Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the
Just for the unjust,
that He might bring us to God,
being put to Death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit"
(1Peter 3:18).
"The Natural Love that we have for ourselves is a Universal
Truth, for 'no man ever yet hated his own flesh'
(Ephesians 5:29); and,
Jesus the Son of Man was no different. '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). He had no special enjoyment
of suffering, just as we do not enjoy suffering. 'Wherefore
in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be
a Merciful and Faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make Reconciliation
for the sins of the people' (Hebrews 2:17). It is difficult for the Righteous to watch the Guiltless and Innocent
suffer, because their suffering is our suffering. 'Remember
them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being
yourselves also in the body' (Hebrews 13:3). Further, we have been advised by the Scriptures to remain
'simple' concerning the specifics
of the sufferings that evil men inflict. 'For your Obedience
is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would
have you wise unto that which is good, and simple [Greek,
akeraion, harmless] concerning evil' (Romans 16:19). It was only the Providence
of God that allowed the human mother of Jesus to be at the scene of Christ's Crucifixion,
and one can only imagine the impression upon Mary as she beheld the Agony of her
Son upon the Cross! Perhaps it was at that moment that Mary recalled the prophetic
words of Simeon from the dedication of Jesus. '34 And Simeon blessed them,
and said unto Mary His mother, Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising
again of many in Israel; and for a Sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce
through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed' (Luke 2:34-35). For those we love, suffering and even death for ourselves would
be more desirable than to watch them suffer. But, Jesus willingly set His
face like flint to suffer the Cruel Death of the Cross for friend and foe
alike, e.g., the Roman centurion in charge of His Crucifixion exclaimed about the
events and manner of Christ's Death on the Cross, 'Truly
this was the Son of God' (Matthew 27:54)."
The
Majesty of the Atonement of Jesus Christ ---New Window
Or, Christ's Humanity Provided an Atoning Sacrifice for the Sins of Mankind
by Tom Stewart
"And not only so, but we also joy in God through
our LORD Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the Atonement" (Romans 5:11).
"At this moment, only a short time before the 'glorious
appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ'
(Titus 2:13), it is a retrospective of awe and wonder that we would consider again
the central, fundamental, and timeless theme of the atoning self-sacrifice of the
Creator for the well-being of rebellious and sinful man... he most majestic act of
God towards us was the Atonement of Jesus Christ on the Cross for all mankind. So
marvelous was this act of atonement, that the angels were quite eager to see how
the LORD would handle it. 'Unto whom it was revealed,
that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now
reported unto you by them that have preached the Gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost
sent down from Heaven; which things the angels desire to look into'
(1Peter 1:12). Eternity cannot exhaust our study of the love of God that was manifested
in His atonement for us."
His Resurrection Is
The Highest Proof That Jesus Is The Messiah ---New Window
by Tom Stewart
"What evidence should satisfy the most inquisitive mind that Jesus is the Messiah?
All of humanity must be born into this world, and it will be by the hand of the Almighty
that He will take us out of this world, i.e., 'And as it is
appointed unto men once to die, but after this The Judgment' (Hebrews
9:27), so birth and death are common to man. However, who but God Alone has
the Power to resurrect from the dead? 'God hath spoken once;
twice have I heard this; that Power belongeth unto God' (Psalm
62:11). Even if a questioning mind could not settle whether Jesus resurrected
by His own Power or whether it was the Power of the Almighty to resurrect Jesus from
the dead, Why would Jehovah resurrect Jesus and thereby vindicate the claims of Jesus
of Nazareth that He would Rise again after three days, unless Jesus is
the Messiah? '3 Concerning
His Son Jesus Christ our LORD, which was made of the seed of David according to the
flesh; 4 and declared to be the
Son of God with Power, according to the Spirit of Holiness, by the Resurrection from
the dead' (Romans 1:3-4)."
What Happened
in Gethsemane? ---New Window
by Tom Stewart
"The Garden of Gethsemane is best known to us for the scene of the betrayal
of the LORD into the hands of the 'chief priests and elders
of the people' (Matthew 26:47). Of the events prior
to His betrayal that night in Gethsemane, we are called upon to consider the nature
of Jesus' agony when He prayed, 'Father, if Thou be willing,
remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done' (Luke 22:42)."
Without Jesus, My Wage
is Death ---New Window
by Katie Stewart
"Without Jesus, as my very 'Life',
no amassed regretting, no mustered repenting, no aggregate of tears-- NOTHING I could
ever do-- could EVER change the wage I had earned for the sin I had committed against
God's Holy Law. 'Against Thee, Thee only, have
I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight: that Thou mightest be Justified when Thou
speakest, and be Clear when Thou judgest' (Luke 20:21). My wage was rightfully--
Death. 'The soul that sinneth, it shall die' (Ezekiel 18:20). A Death which would forever separate me from the Creator of my
soul. 'Commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well
doing, as unto a Faithful Creator' (1Peter 4:19)... Without Jesus Christ,
we will pay our own sin debt, 'for the wages of sin
is Death' (Romans 6:23).
With the Atoning Work of the Cross that the LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ suffered,
our debt of Death has been paid in full. He did that for us! As 'The
Gift of God' (6:23),
the Father has given Jesus Christ, His Son, to us. He is our
'Eternal Life' (6:23).
And, dear reader, if you receive Him, this 'Life' begins in you NOW. You will live victoriously-- without sin-- ONLY
if you live 'through Jesus Christ' (6:23).
'In this was manifested the Love of God toward us, because that God sent His Only
Begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him'
(1John 4:9)."
What
the Bible Says About Temptation ---New Window
by Tom and Katie Stewart
"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil" (Matthew
6:13).
"This is a study about understanding temptation, not simply
because the Master enjoined, 'Pray that ye enter not
into temptation' (Luke 22:40),
but because we also desire to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in doing all
that is humanly possible to prevent temptation from turning into sin. '10 With
my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy Commandments...
133 Order my steps in
Thy Word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me'
(Psalm 119:10, 133).
From the first temptation of Eve in the Garden when the Serpent succeeded in causing
our First Parents to doubt the love of God, to the final 'Hour
of Temptation' (Revelation 3:10) of the Apocalypse, mankind has struggled, and will struggle, with
the necessity to overcome temptation. Our present unwillingness to enter into temptation
is the same unwillingness to enter into the 'Hour of
Temptation' (3:10) soon prophesied to come upon this world. 'Because
thou hast kept the Word of My Patience, I also will keep thee from the Hour of Temptation,
which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the Earth' (3:10).
But, since 'all the Promises of God in
[Christ] are Yea, and in Him Amen' (2Corinthians 1:20), we can lay hold
of the Master's instruction to 'pray that ye enter not
into temptation' (Luke 22:40),
with the bold assurance that, indeed, 'sin shall not
have dominion over [us]'
(Romans 6:14)!"
Seven Reasons Why I Believe in
THE ATONING
BLOOD OF CHRIST
by Dr. Ian R. K. Paisley
---New Window
"This vital consideration brings us to the fulcrum
of the great operation of the Divine Revelation, to the centre of the vast circumference
of Divine Redemption and to the very heart of the throbbing purpose of Divine Reconciliation.
We come from the shallows of human speculation to the depths of divine revelation
when we come to the Blood. We step at this juncture from the shadows of Old Testament
typology to the blazing sunshine of New Testament theology. It is here we launch
our souls from the shores of man's estimate into the boundless, tideless, endless
sea of God's ultimate."
Seven Reasons Why I Believe in
THE BODILY
RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
by Dr. Ian R. K. Paisley
---New Window
"The Resurrection is essential to Christianity,
for by it alone can Christianity be confirmed. The Resurrection is the great corroborator
of the Christian gospel. Remove this keystone and the goodly temple crashes into
ruin. As life is essential to living so the Resurrection is essential to a living
Christianity. Take away the Resurrection and Christianity becomes a dead letter,
but another contribution to the world's Pantheon."
"And if Christ be not raised, your Faith is vain; ye are
yet in your sins" (1Corinthians 15:17).
---New
Window
---New Window
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