Seeking The Lord: Jesus Is God, Part II
>> Saturday, July 12, 2008 –
Bible,
Seek The Lord Sunday
A few weeks ago, I wrote a post titled "Jesus Is God", which started an interesting conversation with a reader who disagrees with me (Hello, Tiger Lamb Girl...welcome :) ). Since this week's STLS topic is to write about Jesus, I thought it would be a good time for me to elaborate a bit more about why I believe that Jesus is, in fact, God.
First, I'll clarify a bit.
I'm hardly a scholar on all the religions of the world, but I am aware of at least one religion that teaches that Jesus is a God...not the God. They teach that he became "like God" or "a God" after living a perfect life. This is not what I believe.
I believe that there is, always has been, and always will be one God. I believe in the "Trinity"...that God exists fully as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. They are separate, yet one. Some argue that the idea of a triune God is too confusing, and that God is not a God of confusion.
Let me humbly submit the idea that there is a significant difference between "confusing" and "beyond my understanding". The full nature of The God Almighty is not confusing...but it is beyond my complete understanding right now.
I look forward to the day when I stand before my Lord and know just as I am known...I will finally understand and fully know Him. Amazing!
Second, I want you to know that I don't take this discussion lightly.
When I first read TLG's comment on my original post, I was seriously thrown! I thought, "Whoah! Am I missing something huge? Have I been deceived?" I read, I talked to family and friends, I searched the internet, and I prayed. A LOT. I want the truth...not what's popular, or what's been spoon-fed to me. I want God's truth. Whether it's easy or not, I want the real HIM. This topic has been a real area of "Seeking The Lord" for me for the past few weeks!
And Finally...Why I believe that Jesus is God:
1. The first thing that comes to mind is the book of John, chapter 1, verses 1,2, & 14:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning."
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
To me, this is pretty clear! It is especially clear if you read the entire text of chapter 1... "the Word" is Jesus.
2. There is only one God, and yet Jesus claims deity (this is why he was crucified, John 10:33).
3. The Trinity IS spoken of in the New Testament (contrary to many objectors' claims). The specific word "Trinity" is not used, but "The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" is:
Matthew 28: 18-20 - The "Great Commission"
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
4. John 14: 6-7 says:
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
How would they have seen him? They've seen the Father because they've seen Jesus, and Jesus and the Father are ONE.
Some say that Jesus and God are "of one mind and purpose, but not ONE". These verses are pretty compelling evidence to the contrary! Not only do we "know" the Father now that we've "known" Jesus, but we "have seen him". Seeing him speaks nothing of purpose or state of mind...it's about experiencing His presence. We've seen Jesus, so we've seen the Father... again because they are ONE.
5. The Bible documents times when Jesus was prayed to, when Jesus was worshipped, and it describes him as the "First and Last". Go read "Bible Verses That Show Jesus Is God" at Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry - they did a great job of laying it all out very clearly.
That about sums up the evidence that most clearly spoke to me regarding Jesus' deity. If you'd like to read more, you can check out the following interesting links:
First, I'll clarify a bit.
I'm hardly a scholar on all the religions of the world, but I am aware of at least one religion that teaches that Jesus is a God...not the God. They teach that he became "like God" or "a God" after living a perfect life. This is not what I believe.
I believe that there is, always has been, and always will be one God. I believe in the "Trinity"...that God exists fully as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. They are separate, yet one. Some argue that the idea of a triune God is too confusing, and that God is not a God of confusion.
Let me humbly submit the idea that there is a significant difference between "confusing" and "beyond my understanding". The full nature of The God Almighty is not confusing...but it is beyond my complete understanding right now.
I look forward to the day when I stand before my Lord and know just as I am known...I will finally understand and fully know Him. Amazing!
Second, I want you to know that I don't take this discussion lightly.
When I first read TLG's comment on my original post, I was seriously thrown! I thought, "Whoah! Am I missing something huge? Have I been deceived?" I read, I talked to family and friends, I searched the internet, and I prayed. A LOT. I want the truth...not what's popular, or what's been spoon-fed to me. I want God's truth. Whether it's easy or not, I want the real HIM. This topic has been a real area of "Seeking The Lord" for me for the past few weeks!
And Finally...Why I believe that Jesus is God:
1. The first thing that comes to mind is the book of John, chapter 1, verses 1,2, & 14:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning."
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
To me, this is pretty clear! It is especially clear if you read the entire text of chapter 1... "the Word" is Jesus.
2. There is only one God, and yet Jesus claims deity (this is why he was crucified, John 10:33).
3. The Trinity IS spoken of in the New Testament (contrary to many objectors' claims). The specific word "Trinity" is not used, but "The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" is:
Matthew 28: 18-20 - The "Great Commission"
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
4. John 14: 6-7 says:
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
How would they have seen him? They've seen the Father because they've seen Jesus, and Jesus and the Father are ONE.
Some say that Jesus and God are "of one mind and purpose, but not ONE". These verses are pretty compelling evidence to the contrary! Not only do we "know" the Father now that we've "known" Jesus, but we "have seen him". Seeing him speaks nothing of purpose or state of mind...it's about experiencing His presence. We've seen Jesus, so we've seen the Father... again because they are ONE.
5. The Bible documents times when Jesus was prayed to, when Jesus was worshipped, and it describes him as the "First and Last". Go read "Bible Verses That Show Jesus Is God" at Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry - they did a great job of laying it all out very clearly.
That about sums up the evidence that most clearly spoke to me regarding Jesus' deity. If you'd like to read more, you can check out the following interesting links:
"Is Jesus God" at AllAboutGod.com
"Jesus Christ Is God Incarnate"
"Jesus Is God - Biblical Proof" at AllAboutJesusChrist.org
Oh brother...why do I always write a novel? If you haven't surmised already, I'm a bit enthusiastic when it comes to the topic of Jesus!
"Jesus Christ Is God Incarnate"
"Jesus Is God - Biblical Proof" at AllAboutJesusChrist.org
Oh brother...why do I always write a novel? If you haven't surmised already, I'm a bit enthusiastic when it comes to the topic of Jesus!
1. Lisa@blessedwithGrace | 2. Amanda | 3. Nickers and Ink |
Learn more about Seek The Lord Sunday here.
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Daiquiri, you did a great job! I mentioned the Trinity, as well. My piddly brain just can grasp it all, but that doesn't mean that the Trinity- Three in One, does not exists. God gets it and that is all that really matters. Right. Anyway, I appreciate you and the effort to put into each of your Seek The Lord Sunday posts.
Great job, Daiquiri. I commend you for searching for the truth and strengthening your own faith by discovering the applicable Scriptures behind the Trinity concept that most of us accept without question. It is interesting that the word Trinity is not in the Bible, but a deliberate study of Scripture shows that the fathers of our faith were not just trying to turn Christianity into some polytheistic pagan religion--they were making sense of the concept of God in the whole of Scripture.
Thanks for visiting my blog. And yes, I would be interested in participating in the Seek the Lord Sunday posts depending if I have anything to say or contribute.
Hello, thanks for stopping by. I am not a writer like most bloggers.I like your honesty and style. Keep up the good work! We miss Boise terribly but the Lord is faithful and we are growing where He has planted us.
What a wonderful post.
God is so good.
Blessings,
Linda
INTEGRITY, at NICKERS AND INK
PS; I hope the mosquito bites stop BUGGING her soon! ;-)