|
"God has made this Jesus whom you crucified to be both Lord and Messiah!" The Bible, Acts chapter 2 verse 36 |
|
Full name: the Lord Jesus Christ. It is impossible to get a totally accurate picture of Jesus either physically or spiritually. Physically, because there are no photographs or contemporary paintings of him. Spiritually, because he has always existed and he made everything. How can we possibly hope to fully understand that fact? This picture is part of a pulpit in Tewkesbury Abbey, Gloucestershire. At least it conveys the idea that Jesus, the Son of God, became a man and lived here on this earth. |
Jesus created everything that exists and he continues to sustain all things. "All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made" (John chapter 1 verse 3; also 1 Corinthians chapter 8 verse 6, Ephesians chapter 3 verse 9, Colossians chapter 1 verse 16).
Jesus is God's only Son and he is himself also God (John chapter 1, 1 John chapter 1, Philippians chapter 2 verse 6).
Jesus is the Messiah, long-expected by the Jews. The Jews did not generally recognise him when he came, even though the early Christian church was Jewish. Although the majority still reject him 2,000 years later, a small number have come to recognise that he was, and is, their Messiah.
Jesus is the only sinless human being ever to have lived. His enemies tried desperately to find fault with him but they could not do so. The anti-Jesus lobby is still alive and active today.
Jesus was fully human (Philippians chapter 2 verses 6 to 8). He had a physical human body and he knew natural growth, sorrow, hunger, thirst, sleep, poverty, pain, weariness and sadness.
Jesus was born on earth for us and he gave his life for us. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life" (John chapter 3 verse 16).
Jesus predicted his own life purpose and sufferings (Mark chapter 8 verse 31, Luke chapter 9 verse 22). His life is prophesied and documented in many places in the Old Testament and in the New Testament.
Jesus predicted his own death and it was not an unfortunate accident (Mark chapter 8 verse 31, Luke chapter 9 verse 22, John chapter 3 verse 14). His sufferings and his death are prophesied and documented in many places in the Old and the New Testaments.
Jesus predicted his own resurrection (Mark chapter 8 verse 31, Luke chapter 9 verse 22 ). His resurrection is prophesied and documented in various places in the Old and the New Testaments.
God summed up his requirements for us when he gave us the Ten Commandments through Moses. Then God himself (as Jesus) told us that all of his requirements are fulfilled if we only keep the first two commandments! He also explained that a slavish obedience to the law was not the full answer, and that adherence to the purpose and the spirit of the law was vital. The law applies to our thoughts as well as our actions.
This was not a "once only" requirement but was to be constant throughout one's lifetime. No one has ever complied fully with the Ten Commandments, especially the first two, so where do we go from here?
The Bible tells us that there is only one way for man to have a continuing relationship with God, and that is by means of his Son, Jesus (1 Timothy chapter 2 verse 5 and Acts chapter 4 verse 12).
Pray the following prayer if you want to become a child of God:
"Dear Jesus, I believe that I am a sinner and I am really sorry for my sin. I want to turn from it and follow you instead but I need your help for this. I believe Jesus died and rose from the dead to pay the penalty for my sin. I now receive Christ into my heart by faith and I ask you to fill me with your Holy Spirit. I want you to be the Lord of my life from this time on. I ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen."
If you sincerely prayed the above prayer and have asked Jesus Christ to come into your life, be assured that you are now "saved." You have been "born again" and you are now a child of God. How can you really be sure of this? Because the Bible says:
"Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans chapter 10 verse 13).
"And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. So whoever has God's Son has life; whoever does not have his Son does not have life. I write this to you who believe in the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life" (1 John chapter 5 verses 11 to 13).
"For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved" (Romans chapter 10 verses 9 and 10).
"He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first instalment of everything he will give us" (2 Corinthians chapter 1 verses 21 and 22).
"Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans chapter 8 verse39).
 |
When we are "born again" we become part of Christ's body, the Church, of which he is the head. Many people think that "the church" is as shown in this picture. It is not. "The church" here is simply a building where believers (hopefully!) meet together. It is as well to bear in mind that not all people who attend "church" are believers. This picture is of the village "church" in Comberley, Worcestershire. |
Continue to "seek and feel" after God in every area of your life but do not take on too much at once. Pray, read the Bible and think about these things regularly. Attending a "church" with like-minded believers is an immense advantage. Remember to thank God for all kinds of everyday things, things like simply being able to walk, or finding a parking place in a crowded car park. When you fail in your new life, as you surely will from time to time, don't forget to learn from your mistake and carry on from where you left off!
Home address of this page: http://www.johnw55.freeuk.com/
Page updated 12 May 2004