WHO IS JESUS TO YOU?

Who is Jesus? We know of His miraculous birth, His teachings and His miracles performed. We know He died on a cross for sins. We know he is the Savior. But what else? Even the demons know all of these facts, and are they saved? What are we missing?

Understanding who Jesus is involves not only acknowledging the historical and biblical facts about His life but also comprehending His divine nature and the significance of His mission, which goes beyond mere knowledge.

  1. Fully God and Fully Man: Christian doctrine holds that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human. This is crucial because His divinity establishes Him as one with God, and His humanity allows Him to fully represent and atone for mankind. In John 1:14, it states, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." This indicates that Jesus is God incarnate, the Word of God in human form.

  2. The Mediator: 1 Timothy 2:5 states, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus." Jesus' role as a mediator is central to Christian faith. He bridges the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity, making reconciliation possible.

  3. The Embodiment of Love and Grace: Jesus’ life and teachings exemplify God's love and grace. In John 3:16, it says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jesus is the tangible manifestation of God's love, sent to offer salvation to humanity.

  4. The Conqueror of Sin and Death: Jesus' death and resurrection are pivotal. He didn't just die; He rose again, conquering death and sin. This victory is what gives believers hope for eternal life and liberation from the bondage of sin. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:57, "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

  5. Personal Relationship and Lordship: Knowing Jesus is more than acknowledging His historical existence or His role in theological concepts; it's about a personal relationship with Him as Lord and Savior. This relationship transforms lives and aligns them with God’s will. Philippians 2:9-11 speaks of Jesus as Lord, to whom every knee shall bow.

  6. Distinct from Demonic Knowledge: The difference between mere knowledge (such as that of demons) and saving faith is the personal acceptance and surrender to Jesus as Lord. James 2:19 notes, "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." The demons' knowledge does not lead to salvation because it lacks submission, love, and trust in Jesus Christ.

In summary, understanding who Jesus is encompasses acknowledging His divine nature, His role as Savior and Mediator, His embodiment of divine love and grace, His victory over sin and death, and the importance of a personal relationship with Him. It's not just about intellectual assent to facts, but about a transformative relationship that changes how one lives and understands their place in relation to God.

Yes. Submission, love and trust in Jesus Christ. Do we show those? Are we totally submissive, love unconditionally, like a mother, and do we totally trust? And what does that mean? How do we display these?

Displaying submission, love, and trust in Jesus Christ involves both internal attitudes and external actions. These qualities are essential in living out a Christian faith that's genuine and impactful. Let's explore what each of these looks like in practice:

  1. Submission to Jesus Christ:

    • Obedience to His Teachings: Demonstrating submission to Christ involves aligning one's life with His teachings. This includes following the principles laid out in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and other teachings of Jesus.

    • Seeking God's Will: Instead of insisting on our own ways, submitting to Christ means actively seeking and following God's will, even when it's challenging or counter to our own desires.

    • Humility: Philippians 2:5-8 speaks of Jesus' humility. Similarly, submission involves a humble spirit, recognizing that God's ways and wisdom are higher than our own.

  2. Unconditional Love Like a Mother:

    • Sacrificial Love: Just as a mother often puts her child's needs above her own, loving like Jesus means being willing to sacrifice for the well-being of others.

    • Forgiveness and Grace: Displaying unconditional love involves extending forgiveness and grace to others, just as we have received it from Christ (Ephesians 4:32).

    • Compassion and Empathy: Demonstrating genuine care and empathy towards others, especially those who are hurting, marginalized, or in need.

  3. Total Trust in Jesus Christ:

    • Faith in Difficulties: Trusting in Jesus means maintaining faith even in difficult circumstances, believing that He is in control and has our best interests at heart (Proverbs 3:5-6).

    • Dependence in Prayer: Regularly turning to God in prayer, not just in times of need, but as a consistent practice, signifies reliance on Him.

    • Letting Go of Anxiety: Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers not to be anxious but to present their requests to God. Trusting Jesus involves letting go of anxieties and trusting in His provision and timing.

Practically, these attributes manifest in daily life through choices, attitudes, and actions. It might involve serving others selflessly, making ethical choices even when it's hard, engaging in regular prayer and Bible study, participating in and contributing to a faith community, and showing Christ-like love and grace in interactions with others.

Living out submission, love, and trust in Jesus Christ is a lifelong journey and involves continual growth. It's not about achieving perfection but about striving each day to reflect more of Christ's character and love in our lives.

So on top of and in addition to a Biblical worldview: (1. Absolute moral truth exists. 2. The Bible is accurate in all its teachings. 3. Satan is a real being/force, not just symbolic. 4. Good works cannot earn salvation. 5. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth. 6. God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator who still rules today.), we need to live out a "CHRIST"ian worldview: submission, love, and trust, which are embedded and taught in the Bible.

Yes, your summary captures the essence of integrating a Biblical worldview with a "CHRISTian" worldview in daily life. Let's break this down further:

  1. Biblical Worldview Elements:

    • Absolute Moral Truth Exists: This belief is rooted in the understanding that God, as revealed in the Bible, is the source of all truth, including moral truth.

    • Bible's Accuracy: Holding to the conviction that the Bible is accurate in all its teachings underpins a Christian's understanding of theology, morality, history, and human nature.

    • Reality of Satan: Recognizing Satan as a real entity, not just a symbolic figure, shapes the Christian understanding of evil, temptation, and spiritual warfare.

    • Salvation Through Grace, Not Works: Emphasizing that salvation is a gift of God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not earned by good works, aligns with Ephesians 2:8-9.

    • Jesus' Sinless Life: Believing in the sinless life of Jesus Christ is central to understanding His qualification as the perfect sacrifice for sin.

    • God's Sovereignty: Affirming God as the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator who still rules today acknowledges His active presence and authority in the world.

  2. "CHRISTian" Worldview Elements:

    • Submission: This involves yielding to God's authority and aligning one’s life with His will and teachings, acknowledging His sovereignty in all aspects of life.

    • Love: A Christian worldview calls for love that mirrors the love of Christ - sacrificial, unconditional, and active. This love extends to God and to others, following Jesus' commandment in Matthew 22:37-39.

    • Trust: Trusting in God involves reliance on His character, promises, and wisdom, even in the face of uncertainty or challenging circumstances.

In practice, living out a Christian worldview means that one’s beliefs, values, decisions, and actions are consistently informed and shaped by these principles. It's about a holistic approach where faith permeates every aspect of life, from personal relationships to societal engagement, from private devotion to public ethics.

Therefore, a "CHRISTian" worldview isn't just a set of beliefs but a way of life. It's about embodying the teachings and character of Christ in everyday interactions and choices, thus making one's faith an active and dynamic force in the world.