The Creator God and Jesus Son of the Highest, the firstborn from the dead

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Ge 1:1 KJ21)“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram and said unto him, “I am the Almighty God. Walk before Me, and be thou perfect.” (Ge 17:1 KJ21)

“And God said unto him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins.” (Ge 35:11 KJ21)

“2 And God spoke unto Moses and said unto him, “I am the LORD. 3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob by the name of God Almighty, but by My name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.” (Ex 6:2-3 KJ21)

“and that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son and of thy son’s son what things I have wrought in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them, that ye may know that I am the LORD.”” (Ex 10:2 KJ21)

“”Who is like unto Thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like Thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (Ex 15:11 KJ21)

“Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods; for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly, He was above them.”” (Ex 18:11 KJ21)

“And He said, “Thou canst not see My face, for there shall no man see Me and live.”” (Ex 33:20 KJ21)

“that men may know that Thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the Most High over all the earth.” (Ps 83:18 KJ21)

“‘O Lord GOD, Thou hast begun to show Thy servant Thy greatness and Thy mighty hand; for what God is there in heaven or in earth who can do according to Thy works and according to Thy might?” (De 3:24 KJ21)

“4  “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD. 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart; 7 and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them as a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house and on thy gates.” (De 6:4-9 KJ21)

“in that ye provoke Me unto wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Egypt whither ye have gone to dwell, that ye might cut yourselves off and that ye might be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?” (Jer 44:8 KJ21)

“There is none holy as the LORD, for there is none besides Thee; neither is there any rock like our God.” (1Sa 2:2 KJ21)

“Therefore Thou art great, O LORD God; for there is none like Thee, neither is there any God besides Thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.” (2Sa 7:22 KJ21)

“Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power and the glory, and the victory and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Thine. Thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and Thou art exalted as head above all.” (1Ch 29:11 KJ21)

“And the house which I build is great, for great is our God above all gods.” (2Ch 2:5 KJ21)

“Behold, God is great, and we know Him not; neither can the number of His years be searched out.” (Job 36:26 KJ21)

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted on the earth.” (Ps 46:10 KJ21)

“«A song. A Psalm for the sons of Korah.» Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, on the mountain of His holiness.” (Ps 48:1 KJ21)

“Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things. O God, who is like unto Thee!” (Ps 71:19 KJ21)

“Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone doeth wondrous things.” (Ps 72:18 KJ21)

“that men may know that Thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the Most High over all the earth.” (Ps 83:18 KJ21)

“Among the gods there is none like unto Thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto Thy works.” (Ps 86:8 KJ21)

“For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?” (Ps 89:6 KJ21)

“O LORD, how great are Thy works! And Thy thoughts are very deep.” (Ps 92:5 KJ21)

“3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4 In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the strength of the hills is His also. 5 The sea is His, and He made it; and His hands formed the dry land. 6 O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. 7  For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. Today, if ye will hear His voice: 8 “Harden not your heart as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness 9 when your fathers tempted Me, proved Me, and saw My work.” (Ps 95:3-9 KJ21)

“For Thou, LORD, art high above all the earth; Thou art exalted far above all gods.” (Ps 97:9 KJ21)

“He sent redemption unto His people; He hath commanded His covenant for ever; holy and reverend is His name.” (Ps 111:9 KJ21)

“For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.” (Ps 135:5 KJ21)

“Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable.” (Ps 145:3 KJ21)

“But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God who is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.” (Isa 5:16 KJ21)

“And one cried unto another and said, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory.”” (Isa 6:3 KJ21)

“Sanctify the LORD of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.” (Isa 8:13 KJ21)

“To whom then will ye liken God? Or what likeness will ye compare unto Him?” (Isa 40:18 KJ21)

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid; for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also has become my salvation.”” (Isa 12:2 KJ21)

“”Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but Me; for there is no savior besides Me.” (Ho 13:4 KJ21)

“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,” (1Ti 2:3 KJ21)

“Fear ye not, neither be afraid. Have not I told thee from that time and have declared it? Ye are even My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Yea, there is no God. I know not any.”” (Isa 44:8 KJ21)

“For thus saith the high and lofty One who inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” (Isa 57:15 KJ21)

“who would not fear Thee, O King of nations? For to Thee doth it appertain, inasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto Thee.” (Jer 10:7 KJ21)

“I will accept you with your sweet savor when I bring you out from the people and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.” (Eze 20:41 KJ21)

“And I will sanctify My great name which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.” (Eze 36:23 KJ21)

“Thus will I magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations; and they shall know that I am the LORD.’” (Eze 38:23 KJ21)

“The king answered unto Daniel and said, “In truth it is, that your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.”” (Da 2:47 KJ21)

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.” (Joe 2:32 KJ21)

“For then will I return to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve Him with one accord.” (Zep 3:9 KJ21)

“In this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name.” (Mt 6:9 KJ21)

“And Jesus said unto him, “Why callest thou Me good? There is none good but One, that is, God.” (Mr 10:18 KJ21)

“For He that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is His name.” (Lu 1:49 KJ21)

“God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”” (Joh 4:24 KJ21)

“1 ¶ These words spoke Jesus and lifted up His eyes to Heaven and said, “Father, the hour is come. Glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee, 2 as Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. 3 And this is life eternal: that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.” (Joh 17:1-3 KJ21)

“”I have manifested Thy name unto the men whom Thou gavest Me out of the world. Thine they were, and Thou gavest them to Me, and they have kept Thy Word.” (Joh 17:6 KJ21)

“25 “O righteous Father, the world hath not known Thee, but I have known Thee, and these have known that Thou hast sent Me. 26 And I have declared unto them Thy name, and will declare it, that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”” (Joh 17:25-26 KJ21)

“And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” (Ac 2:21 KJ21)

“For from the creation of the world the invisible things of Him are clearly seen, being understood through the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” (Ro 1:20 KJ21)

“For “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”” (Ro 10:13 KJ21)

“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!” (Ro 11:33 KJ21)

“4  Concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but One. 5 For though there be what are called “gods,” whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 yet to us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we in Him, and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things, and we by Him.” (1Co 8:4-6 KJ21)

“according to the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” (1Ti 1:11 KJ21)

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” (1Ti 2:5 KJ21)

“For Christ has not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” (Heb 9:24 KJ21)

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath for us. God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” (1Jo 4:16 KJ21)

“And each of the four living beings had six wings about him, and they were full of eyes within; and they rested not day and night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!”” (Re 4:8 KJ21)

“saying, “We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, who art, and wast, and art to come, because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned.” (Re 11:17 KJ21)

“And I heard another out of the altar say, “Even so, Lord God Almighty; true and righteous are Thy judgments.”” (Re 16:7 KJ21)

“Now therefore in the sight of all Israel, the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God, that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.” (1Ch 28:8 KJ21)

“16  Let no man therefore judge you in regard to meat or drink, or in respect to a holy day or the new moon or the sabbath days, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the body is of Christ.” (Col 2:16-17 KJ21)

“But their minds were blinded; for until this day the same veil remaineth untaken away in the reading of the old testament, which veil is done away with in Christ.” (2Co 3:14 KJ21)

“”Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” (Mt 5:17 KJ21)

“Ye are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,” (Eph 2:20 KJ21)

“4  Coming to Him as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 ye also as living stones are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious; and he that believeth in Him shall not be confounded.”” (1Pe 2:4-6 KJ21)

“For no man can lay another foundation than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1Co 3:11 KJ21)

“And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He might have the preeminence.” (Col 1:18 KJ21)

“I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for His body’s sake, which is the church,” (Col 1:24 KJ21)

“17 even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him. But ye know Him, for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18  “I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world seeth Me no more, but ye see Me. Because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He that hath My commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me; and he that loveth Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will manifest Myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said unto Him, “Lord, how is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us, and not unto the world?” 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, “If a man love Me, he will keep My words; and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him and make Our abode with him. 24 He that loveth Me not, keepeth not My sayings. And the Word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me. 25  “These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28  Ye have heard how I said unto you, ‘I go away and come again unto you.’ If ye loved Me, ye would rejoice because I said, ‘I go unto the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that when it is come to pass, ye might believe. 30 “Hereafter I will not talk much with you, for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.” (Joh 14:17-31 KJ21)

“But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God.” (1Co 11:3 KJ21)

“And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son Himself also be subject unto Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” (1Co 15:28 KJ21)

“30 And the angel said unto her, “Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favor with God. 31 And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a Son, and shalt call His name JESUS. 32 He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David, 33 and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His Kingdom there shall be no end.” 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, “The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee. Therefore also that Holy Being who shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” (Lu 1:30-35 KJ21)

“21  Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized. And while He prayed the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from Heaven, which said, “THOU ART MY BELOVED SON; IN THEE I AM WELL PLEASED.” 23 And Jesus Himself had become about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, who was the son of Heli,” (Lu 3:21-23 KJ21)

“how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” (Ac 10:38 KJ21)

“To Him all the prophets bear witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.”” (Ac 10:43 KJ21)

“Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.”” (Ac 4:12 KJ21)

“Therefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name,” (Php 2:9 KJ21)

“The next day John saw Jesus coming unto him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world!” (Joh 1:29 KJ21)

“even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”” (Mt 20:28 KJ21)

“who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,” (1Ti 2:6 KJ21)

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is every one who hangeth on a tree”),” (Ga 3:13 KJ21)

“Him God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” (Ro 3:25 KJ21)

“And He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1Jo 2:2 KJ21)

“Herein is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1Jo 4:10 KJ21)

“and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?”” (Joh 11:26 KJ21)

“But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” (Ga 3:22 KJ21)

“one Lord, one faith, one baptism,” (Eph 4:5 KJ21)

 

 

As near to God as you want Him to be

In the Three basic commands, you could read about three basic commands a Christian has to keep. For a Christian the fundamentals of his faith are to

1. 1. Obey God’s and Christ’s commands
   2. Not to test God
   3. Only to worship One God and to have no other gods before Him

A real Christian follows Christ Jesus and would love to become like him and do like him. In such way a Christian would devote his life to the same God Jesus devoted his life. Jesus always wanted to do the Will of God. His intention was also to let others know God. Jesus, who also could not do anything by his own, also wanted people not to look for what he wanted to do, but for what his heavenly Father, the Only One True God, Who had sent him wanted.

30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. (John 5:30, NRKJV)

34 Yahushua saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. (John 4:34, NRKJV)

36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. (John 5:36, NRKJV)

The apostle John in one of his letters asks his readers to think about which way they want to go and what they want to believe.

9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of יהוה is greater: for this is the witness of יהוה which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of יהוה hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not יהוה hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that יהוה gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that יהוה hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of יהוה hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of יהוה; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of יהוה. (1John 5:9-13, NRKJV)

Real Christians, who believe they can get life in the son of God, should go by the Words of the Book of books, the Bible and not follow human dogma’s.

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (1John 5:14-15, NRKJV)

The insurance that Jesus is not God but the mediator between God and man, gives us no reason to be afraid to pray in his name and to go up to Jesus his heavenly Father, Whom we, thanks to Jesus Christ, also can call our heavenly Father.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of יהוה our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one Elohim, and one mediator between Elohim and men, the man Yahushua the Messiah; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in the Messiah, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. (1Tim 2:3-8, NRKJV)

It is our faith in Jesus which brings us to come close to his heavenly Father, willing to have Him also as our heavenly Father. It is in such way that Jesus also taught people to pray to his God not as hypocrites.

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Matt 6:5-10, NRKJV)

Jesus not being God, believed in the God of Israel and trusted Him. He believed that Jehovah God was with him and would take him up in His reign.

17 Yahushua saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my Elohim, and your Elohim. (John 20:17, NRKJV)

For Jesus, it was clear that his Father was also the Father of all others, and His God was and is also The God of others (but not of all, because many do not accept Jehovah as their Most High Elohim or God).

Before Jesus was taken into heaven he showed his wounds proving that he was not a ghost or spirit like his heavenly Father, Who is an unseen Singular Spirit Being. As such the disciple could be a witness that there stood the real son of man Jesus, who was their master.

36 And as they thus spake, Yahushua himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them.
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved the Messiah to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
gives them a charge
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
promises the Holy Ghost
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
and so ascends into heaven
50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

Now Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God and not on God’s throne, but on his throne as chosen one from God and as a high priest for God.

63 But Yahushua held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living Elohim, that thou tell us whether thou be the Messiah, the Son of the Almighty. 64 Yahushua saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. (Matt 26:63-64, NRKJV)

62 And Yahushua said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. (Mark 14:62, NRKJV)

19 So then after Yahushua had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of יהוה. (Mark 16:19, NRKJV)

55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of יהוה, and Yahushua standing on the right hand of the Most High, (Acts 7:55, NRKJV)

Heb 1
1 Elohim, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Heb 1:1-3, NRKJV)

God want us in a relationship with Him through Christ. And God wants us to trust him completely. Christians should be people who trust God in the same way Jesus trusted his God. Jesus dared to give his life, trusting in his heavenly Father. God can not die, but Jesus died and went into the grave. For three days Jesus was in hell (sheol – hades  = the grave).

30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that יהוה had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Messiah to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of the Messiah, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32 This Yahushua hath יהוה raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Therefore being by the right hand of יהוה exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, יהוה said unto my master, Sit thou on my right hand, 35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that יהוה hath made that same Yahushua, whom ye have crucified, both King and Messiah. (Acts 2:30-36, NRKJV)

That is today our assurance and hope. Jesus by God exalted to be our Saviour or Christ, being the Messiah. We should understand the words of Jesus and recognise the God of Jesus also as our God and our Father.

42 Yahushua said unto them, If Elohim were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from Elohim; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of יהוה heareth יהוה’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of יהוה. (John 8:42-47, NRKJV)

Christians should hear Jesus and believe him and in the same way as Jesus believed his heavenly Father, the Only One True God, Christians also should believe that God of Israel. The same as Jesus did not wait until it was too late, we should not wait before trying to have such a good relationship with God as Jesus had.

Today lots of people calling themselves Christian want to be befriended with the world and keep to their feasts. Such love for the world gives fog to their thoughts, not able to see the Biblical Truth because preferring to keep to human teachings. But God requires faithful love and worship.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with יהוה? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of יהוה. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more favour. Wherefore he saith, יהוה resisteth the proud, but giveth favour unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to יהוה. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to יהוה, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of יהוה, and he shall lift you up. (Jas 4:4-10, NRKJV)

We should not be double-minded and not twist words of the Scriptures so that they’ll suit a lot of people who would love to belong to the majority instead of choosing for the path of God and narrow gate to the kingdom of God. Following Christ means going for him and doing as he and God want it.

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matt 7:14, NRKJV)

24 Then said Yahushua unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. (Matt 16:24-28, NRKJV)

Those who accept Christ as their saviour can pray in his Name, but:

Prayer should be nothing less than stepping into the throne room of heaven and drawing near to a holy and majestic God.

When your life is a prayer, the Lord will always be near you. “Make your life a prayer” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 TPT).

We are meant to be near to the Lord, and prayer is how we get there. “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18 NKJV). {In the Presence of God}

writes Paul Balius.

The ransom offer of Jesus cleansed us from our sins, in the way that we do not have to hide any more, because God knows our weaknesses. Knowing Jesus died for us we still have to really get clean. Our faith in Jesus requires several works. One of those works is to repent.

19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of יהוה; 20 And he shall send Yahushua the Messiah, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which יהוה hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. (Acts 3:19-21, NRKJV)

At the same time, we may not forget Who accepted the sacrificial offering of that son of man, and wants us to become His children.

You learn about the things of God through your adult intellect, but you must come to Christ as a child. You can go far in your knowledge of the truth but still be distant from the Lord Jesus, who is truth. You don’t get nearer to God through your intellect but through your heart.

Drawing near to the Lord is an act of the heart and not of the mind, because intimacy is founded on love. “Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart” (Jeremiah 24:7 NKJV). {In the Presence of God}

Like Jesus very well knew his heavenly Father, his God, we too as followers of Christ, or Christians should draw near to the same God of Christ, having written His Laws in our heart, so that He can be our God and heavenly Father, and we can be His child.

33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith יהוה, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Elohim, and they shall be my people. (Jer 31:33, NRKJV)

As followers of Christ we should clean ourselves and put on a new heart so that God can place a new spirit in us.

19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: (Ezek 11:19, NRKJV)

At the moment there are still many who call themselves Christian, but have a heart of stone and not showing the love of Christ to others. But when time progresses to the Last Days, it shall change. Many more shall find that Jesus is the way to god and shall be willing to follow him so that their stony heart shall be taken away to be renewed.

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (Ezek 36:26, NRKJV)

At the moment many are still in the darkness which “avoids the light lest it be ruined”. In the same way, their sin separates them from God so long as they choose to hold onto it and as long as they want to hold on false teachings, instead of accepting the Words of God.

It is not that God cannot forgive you, but you must be willing to let Him. Don’t squander the treasures of heaven by holding onto the filth of this world. {In the Presence of God}

People should know they have come to do the same as Christ, stepping in the light of God, willing to live according to the Will of God, following His ordinances. The apostles had seen and heard the son of God and announced him to others, so that they, too, may have fellowship with them, and so that the apostles their fellowship with the fellowship of all followers of the real Christ may be with the Father and with His Son Jesus who is the Anointed of God.

3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Yahushua the Messiah. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that יהוה is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Yahushua the Messiah His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1John 1:3-7, NRKJV)

Therefore, let us be fully aware that those who recognise not the son or denies his sonship, shall not be able to draw close to God, because one has to confess the son of God to have the Father. As real followers of Christ, we have to accept Jesus as our lord and be cleansed to walk in the light, turning to God, drawing close to Him, so that He can draw us close to His Throne of Glory. Real Christians do not deny that Jesus is the son of man, son of God and the Kristos or Christ.

23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. (1John 2:23, NRKJV)

If we claim that we have fellowship with Christ and his God, and yet we do not accept the words Jesus said or the words his Father said, we walk in darkness, and as such we hear a lot of people who call themselves Christian, but who are not telling the truth.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. (1John 1:6, NRKJV)

Real Christians can not deny the Son. This is fundamental to have the Father. Without confessing the son, there is no way to have the Father.

22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Yahushua is the Messiah? He is antiMessiah who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. (1John 2:22-24, NRKJV)

7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Yahushua the Messiah His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1John 1:7, NRKJV)

Those who do not accept the Words of God and the words of Christ are often compared to “adulterers” , certainly those who prefer to keep to the false human teachings or human dogmas. They should know that the friendship of this world is hostile to God. Therefore, whoever has chosen to go above the Words of Scripture and to be a friend of this world, have chosen to stay in the dark, but worse have made themselves into a satan (an adversary of God) or an enemy of God. Those not willing to accept the words in Scripture like they are written are considered “the arrogant”. Real Christians should be humble and accept the words like they are written in the Bible and be subject to God, drawing near to God, so that He will draw near to them.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with יהוה? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of יהוה. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more favour. Wherefore he saith, יהוה resisteth the proud, but giveth favour unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to יהוה. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to יהוה, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of יהוה, and he shall lift you up. (Jas 4:4-10, NRKJV)

Let us be humble and accept what God says about the one He sent to the world:

17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying,

This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Matt 3:17, NRKJV)

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Preceding

Do you really know what you say you believe in?

Not About The Name Of The Godhead Of Jesus

Rhetoric and Biblical Truth

Religion and the essence of devotion

Three basic commands

The false prophets in the present world

O God, How Long? ~ Psalm 74

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Additional reading

1. A Book to trust #2 Book of Truth
2. Human & Biblical teachings
3. God spoke to our forefathers and speaks to us
4. False opposite true worship which exalts the God of Israel
5. Today’s thought “On the eternity of God” (December 17)
6. El-Shaddai God Almighty Who no-one may see and live
7. A 1st reply to the 4th Question Who is God 2 A Singular Supreme Spirit Being
8. Standing within proximity of the glory of God
9. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son.
10. Authority from the One God to one mediator between God and men
11. Recognising Jehovah’s sovereignty
12. The New Covenant Victim and Mediator
13. The New Covenant Intercessor
14. Demanding signs or denying yourself
15. Faith and works
16. Worship

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Related articles

1. What Does It Mean to be a True Christian?
2. the high cost of not trusting God
3. Seeing Clearly – Br. James Koester
4. Running and pausing with Jesus – Br. Todd Blackham
5. God Does Not Love You Just as You Are
6. It’s a privilege
7. What Does It Mean to be a True Christian?
8. Being A Cultural Christian Is Not Enough
9. Being Christian
10. Effective Christianity
11. Progressive Christianity
12. They Will Know We Are Christians By…What?
13. The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven
14. Lamps Bright with a Wise Anticipation – Br. Sean Glenn
15. Essential Truths of the Christian Faith

Religion and the essence of devotion

Necessary parts in the daily walk with God

A proud Christ-follower who believes that we are all on a journey in life writes:

Religion is the essence of devotion. Our religious activities are to be an outpouring our our absolute devotion to God. Religion and relationship are necessary parts in the daily walk with God. And in speaking of religion in this way we can get a better glimpse at Christianity in a global sense. There are many traditions throughout Christendom that seem quite strikingly different than what any one of us may be used to, but they are simply unique ways to express the relational devotion we have to God. {The R&R of Christianity}

In the previous two writings, we talked about people who have a very restricted view of what a Christian would or should be. Lots of Christians are convinced that people who do not believe the human doctrine of the Trinity may not or can not call themselves Christian. They forget that the word Christian is made up of “Christ” and the suffix” ian”, denoting a follower of Christ. Then they should come to see and know who Christ is. For non-Trinitarians Christ is the Nazarene Jewish master teacher (or rebbe) Jeshua ben Yosef, Jesus the son of Mary (Miriam) and Joseph, born in Bethlehem. The word Christian gives an indication that it is about a follower of Christ or Kristos, the anointed Messiah. Naturally, it depends on what or whom, one wants to accept as a “follower”.

Christians, Lutherans, Wesleyans, and other followers

Normally a follower is considered to be someone who believes in a particular system of ideas, or who supports a leader who teaches these ideas. In the case of Christians it are people who follow the opinions or teachings of Christ Jesus, in particular, those teachings notated in the Messianic Scriptures (or New Testament: the four gospels and writings of the apostles and the revelation of St. John).

As the world accepts a Lutheran is a follower of Luther or a ‘belonger’ or accessory and supporter of the Lutheran community or Lutheranism, around that what was started by the German theologian and religious reformer who was the catalyst of the 16th-century Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther. When we speak about a Lutheran we think of a person of or relating to the religious doctrines of Martin Luther, or relating to the Protestant denomination adhering to these doctrines. especially the doctrine of Sola fide or justification by faith alone.

According to similar usage, a Christian is a follower or someone who has a strong interest or pays close attention to Jesus Christ and is willing to follow his guidance, command, or leadership. For that guidance of Christ the person must Not follow the rules of other human beings, but can follow the trusted Word like it is notated in the Holy Scriptures.

A Lutheran should follow the writings of Luther, but when we look at the Lutheran Church we can see there are a lot of changes in that church which would not be liked by Luther (take for example the role of the women in that church today.) With Christians we see a similar gross deviation from the teachings of the teacher Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus leading his followers out of a system of oppression

It should not be forgotten that Jesus came along to lead his followers out of the ungodly Roman system. He also wanted to show to Jews and non-Jews how important it is to come back to the Divine Creator and to worship only One True God instead of the many gods of that time. Jesus was a very devout Jew, who did not worship himself (as several name Christians want us to believe). Jesus remained faithful all his life to the God of Israel, Who is a Singular Eternal Omniscient Supreme Spirit Being. No man can see God, but Jesus wanted everybody to figuratively come to see God and to accept Him as their heavenly Father.

There was not only the Roman oppressor; there were also the priests, Pharisees and Sadducees, who wanted to have power over the people. Like many theologians today, they too wanted to make Scriptures more complicated than they really are. Jesus explained the scrolls and showed how people have to live more to the spirit of the letter, than to the interpretation of those temple workers. Jesus also preached an alternative form of government, speaking of a jurisdiction outside the Roman state, based on the perfect law of freedom, outside the tyranny of men who would rule over their brothers and neighbours. He first chose Jewish people who believed in One Singular God, (the God of the Jews), the God of Abraham, Who is One and not two or three. A real Jew never would agree with the Trinity. At first, the people who joined the Jewish sect (or group) the Way, were all Jehudiem or Jews who did not betray their Jewish faith. It was only later when goyim or people from other nations, cultures and other faiths started joining the group of followers of Christ, problems raised under the Jewish community, of which many did not want non-Jews in their ranks and in their synagogues or prayer houses.

First-century Christians

The Way to God

Jesus always said people had not to thank him but God. He always said he was less than God, but that he was the way for people to come to God and the way to life, and that people should believe in him and be in union with him, like he is in union with God.

“I am the door; by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (Joh 10:9 KJ21)

“But if I do, though ye believe not Me, believe the works, that ye may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”” (Joh 10:38 KJ21)

“Jesus said unto him, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” (Joh 14:6 KJ21)

“9 Jesus said unto him, “Have I been so long a time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself; but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the very works’ sake.”

“12  Verily, verily I say unto you, he that believeth in Me, the works that I do he shall do also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go unto My Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

“15  “If ye love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever” 17 even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him. But ye know Him, for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”

“18  “I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world seeth Me no more, but ye see Me. Because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He that hath My commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me; and he that loveth Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will manifest Myself to him.”” (Joh 14:9-21 KJ21)

“that they all may be one, as Thou, Father, art in Me and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.” (Joh 17:21 KJ21)

“by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Ro 5:2 KJ21)

“for through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” (Eph 2:18 KJ21)

“by a new and living Way, which He hath consecrated for us through the veil (that is to say, His flesh),” (Heb 10:20 KJ21)

Following teachings based on Jesus his teachings

In the first century of this common era, more and more people came to follow the apostles their teachings, which were based on those of their master teacher Jeshua (Jesus Christ). They all agreed with the teachings of Jesus and became unified, forming the early Christian church with a system of charity, hope and respect for the rights of each other, requiring that each person would love their neighbour as themselves in a system of mutual, not governmental support.
Those joining the movement of The Way did agree to those Jewish teachings of Jesus and his apostles. For them, it was also clear that Jesus was showing a way to untangle people from the captivity of the social contracts they had made with the state of Rome and Judea, and the tribute and obligations they had become snared by. He proclaimed to call no man “Father”, as they called their Roman benefactors, but stated that the One Who made them alive is their Father Who is in heaven. The perfect law of freedom indicated that man’s unalienable rights stemmed from God and nature, and not governments of men. This was a system of anarchy, by strict definition, without the complex system of tribute that led to the decadence and decline of society, and the corruptible force of the state to back it up.

Not believing in a different God than the Jews

The early Christian church was not persecuted for their belief in a different God or a Kingdom in Heaven, but for their opting out of the mutual taxation system and seeking to live apart from the kings and overlords, the gods many, who demanded their tribute.

Path to walk

For those early followers of Christ it was important to give worship to the same God Jesus worshipped and to leave all those other gods at the side, non touched and not glorified. For them, it was clear that all glory belonged to God. They knew they had not to bow down in front of graven images, and always had to keep their soul diligently, all the time loving Jehovah as their God of gods, and not somebody else. It was also clear they, like God’s People (the Jews), had to walk in God His ways and not following human traditions which were not according to God’s Will,  for they had to keep Jehovah God His commandments and His statutes and His ordinances. Their devotion should fully be for Jehovah God and not for any other god, be it the Caesar, Baal, Apollo, Zeus or any other.  Those who were drawn away, and came to worship other gods, and came to serve them, were turning aside from the way which Jesus and his God have commanded mankind. Though God warned already in the past that the world would turn away from God and shall have false worship. He warned that evil will befall mankind in the latter days; because they will do that which is evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke Him to anger through the work of their hands.

“”Only take heed to thyself and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life; but teach them to thy sons and thy sons’ sons,” (De 4:9 KJ21)

“16 in that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply; and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. 17 But if thine heart turn away so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away and worship other gods and serve them,” (De 30:16-17 KJ21)

“For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you. And evil will befall you in the latter days, because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands.”” (De 31:29 KJ21)

“For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.” (Ps 96:5 KJ21)

“He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul, but he that despiseth His ways shall die.” (Pr 19:16 KJ21)

“Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.” (1Co 7:19 KJ21)

A God demanding exclusive devotion

Today we see how lots of people have made or taken themselves other gods than the Only One True God, the Elohim Hashem Jehovah. Even from those who call themselves “Christian” there are many who bow down in front to graven images or kisses books and pictures as a sign of their devotion. They should know that Jehovah God requires exclusive devotion.

“But I had pity for Mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen whither they went.” (Eze 36:21 KJ21)

“”Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD: Now will I bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for My holy name” (Eze 39:25 KJ21)

“God is jealous, and the LORD avengeth; the LORD avengeth and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserveth wrath for His enemies.” (Na 1:2 KJ21)

“Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I, the LORD thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me,” (Ex 20:5 KJ21)

“For thou shalt worship no other god; for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God,” (Ex 34:14 KJ21)

“For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.” (De 4:24 KJ21)

“And Joshua said unto the people, “Ye cannot serve the LORD, for He is a holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins:” (Jos 24:19 KJ21)

“And further, my son, by these words be admonished: of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness to the flesh.” (Ec 12:12 KJ21)

“For as I passed by and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription: ‘To the Unknown God’. Whom therefore ye worship in ignorance, Him I declare unto you.” (Ac 17:23 KJ21)

The God greater than Jesus

Jesus not able to do anything without God

Jesus, his talmidim and the apostle Paul declared The God Who is greater than Jesus and without Him Jesus could not do anything.

“Then answered Jesus and said unto them, “Verily, verily I say unto you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do; for what things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” (Joh 5:19 KJ21)

“Ye have heard how I said unto you, ‘I go away and come again unto you.’ If ye loved Me, ye would rejoice because I said, ‘I go unto the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.” (Joh 14:28 KJ21)

Jesus submissive to his God

Jesus his disciples also knew and wanted others to know that even their master was submissive to God and also submitted to Him whom he beheld as the only True God.

“5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in the fashion of a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death—even the death of the cross.” (Php 2:5-8 KJ21)

“But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God.” (1Co 11:3 KJ21)

“And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son Himself also be subject unto Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” (1Co 15:28 KJ21)

The churches and gods of man

But today many have several gods, like “material possession” (Mammon) or find themselves under slothful tribute to an emperor and a system that is not for their benefit. For many, their eye and worship is on material goods or on people who can gloriously show off their acquired wealth. Many covet their neighbour’s goods in a vain pursuit of “free” health care, education, welfare, unemployment benefits, social security and government protection. They have traded their inalienable God-given rights through social contracts both implied and explicit. Their churches are not ordained by God, but are corporations granted status by the state. Many want even bigger churches and want to spread hate for those churches which do not want to align with them. In many of those main churches they denounce the followers of whom they consider an anarchist, because for them Jesus is God and all who contradict that are not just contradictors but objectionable individuals. Those Trinitarians do not want to see that real followers of Christ have to be like Christ, united with Jesus and be one with him the same way as Jesus is one with God.

God in Christians

For real followers of Christ, there is the belief that God is in all of them, and that they have to attract others to come also under Christ, to become children of God.

“3 Know ye not that as many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, so we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this: that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.” (Ro 6:3-7 KJ21)

“And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.” (1Co 15:49 KJ21)

“But because of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who from God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption,” (1Co 1:30 KJ21)

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2Co 5:17 KJ21)

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” (Ga 6:15 KJ21)

United in Christ serving the God of Christ

Those in Christ should be united and serve the same God Jesus served. They should fully be devoted to Jehovah God, having no other gods than Him. Real Christians are those willing to have only One God and to study His Word, His ordinances so that they too can do God’s Will, like Jesus did not his own will but did the Will of his heavenly Father and asked his followers also to do the Will of his heavenly Father, Jehovah God. In case Jesus is God he naturally would always have done his own will and then he was all the time misleading people and praying to himself.

Jesus not knowing many who call themself Christian

Several people, calling themselves Christian forget that at the end times, when they would be coming in front of Christ, there could be a possibility that Jesus shall say not to know them, because they did not do the Will of his Father. To call oneself Christian or to become part of the Body of Christ one has to do the Will of God and be as a brother or sister of Christ Jesus and those following him.

“But the field, when it goeth out in the jubilee, shall be holy unto the LORD, as a field devoted; the possession thereof shall be the priest’s.” (Le 27:21 KJ21)

“And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven. This sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.” (Ec 1:13 KJ21)

“”Not every one that saith unto Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of My Father who is in Heaven.” (Mt 7:21 KJ21)

“For whosoever shall do the will of My Father who is in Heaven, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother.”” (Mt 12:50 KJ21)

“And He went a little farther, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.”” (Mt 26:39 KJ21)

“He went away again the second time and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, unless I drink it, Thy will be done.”” (Mt 26:42 KJ21)

“For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother.”” (Mr 3:35 KJ21)

“And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee. Take away this cup from Me; nevertheless not what I will, but what Thou wilt.”” (Mr 14:36 KJ21)

“And that servant, who knew his lord’s will and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.” (Lu 12:47 KJ21)

“saying, “Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Thine be done.”” (Lu 22:42 KJ21)

“Jesus said unto them, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.” (Joh 4:34 KJ21)

“38 For I came down from Heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. 39 And this is the Father’s will who hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the Last Day. 40 And this is the will of Him that sent Me: that every one who seeth the Son and believeth in Him may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the Last Day.”” (Joh 6:38-40 KJ21)

“but bade them farewell, saying, “I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem, but I will return again unto you, if God wills.” And he sailed from Ephesus.” (Ac 18:21 KJ21)

“Take them and purify thyself with them, and bear their charges with them, that they may shave their heads; and all may know that those things of which they have been informed concerning thee are nothing, but that thou thyself also walkest orderly and keepest the law.” (Ac 21:24 KJ21)

Picking and choosing like a kid

Lots of people who call themselves “Christian” not at all follow the teachings of Jesus and pick and choose texts from Sriptures how it soots them best.

But you don’t pay attention to that do you my little lambs? No, you pick and choose like a kid going through a candy store deciding what to spend his quarters on. You choose what fits your sick sense of morality, and then toss the rest like it never existed. The fact that you become utter hypocrites apparently doesn’t bother you. Neither does the fact that it doesn’t fit my morality. But you care just as much about my definition of morality as I do yours. The only difference between us, is I’m not forcing you to try to live by my morality. {Of Christianity and Modern Morality}

rightly remarks someone who calls himself The Bastards 2013 (Where The Bastards come to share the word!) He, like lots of atheists saw how a bunch of Evangelical pastors were laying hands on Donald Trump in the White House and how one prominent evangelical leader immediately tweeted out the image with the caption:

“President Trump is bringing God back to America.” {In God We Obfuscate}

This “Bastards 2013” also wrote:

You talk about love and tolerance and yet your actions speak of hate and seclusion. You talk about America needing to find it’s moral center and returning to respecting one another and finding joys in the diversity of America. Then you back a man who is none of those. Donald Trump is your reflecting God. He is the face of your fake bullshit religion and from this day forth you will be forever known as the frauds and charlatans you are. Your speeches about god and love will be laughed at and ignored. Your attempts to say that this is Christianity will be endlessly mocked by those of us who know better. More importantly, when your god falls, and his presidency is nothing but a pile of ashes, you will have nowhere to run. Your sins will be laid bare and the scarlet letter of hypocrisy will be forever tattoed onto your forehead. While you preach the word of a megalomaniac, he is busy mocking Puerto Ricans as they struggle to survive after back to back hurricanes. As you attempt to speak about love and kindness (which you know nothing about) your god calls black men who are peacefully protesting inequality “Sons of bitches” and “traitors.” Meanwhile he speaks in front of a group of neo nazis and homophobes and says “It’s so nice to be around friends. So many friends.” You are the lowest form of human. ISIS is evil and should be eradicated, but at least they own who they are. They make no false speeches about love and acceptance when they don’t believe in it. They don’t shake the hands of the people while silently prepping to stab them in the back. You are nothing but low level talentless snake oil salesmen. You prey upon those who have been stricken desperate by your shitty unethical policies. You sell them a cure and make them believe that you and only you can help them. Then you sit back in your six homes, watching the peasants stumble around trying to find some sort of relief. {The Reflecting God}

This shows how careful Christians have to be with their actions, because by their words and deeds others shall make a portrait of them, often thinking all Christians are “so”. Often Trinitarians show to be very intolerant and often take very awful actions against those who do not want to accept their Trinity.

Traditions of man

Throughout the ages, mankind had several gods and had celebrations for them. The Roman Catholic Church willing to capture as many heathen as they could, integrated many heathen festivals in their system. Christmas and Easter are the two most important ones still celebrated by the majority of Christians.

Lots of human traditions entered the life of those who call themselves Christian, though not many of them seem to wonder if they would be all right in the Eyes of God. That way Christendom became totally different from first-century Christianity.

A Religion of a relationship

Bringing a “Thought from a Pilgrim of Truth”, Perry Tripp, a father, husband, and a pastor writes

There is another thing that tends to happen when someone views Christianity as a relationship rather than a religion. The terms of the relationship begin to get a bit blurry. God and King, Master and Lord, get discarded for the much easier to handle Friend. When God becomes solely our friend, we lose the fear of the LORD, and our relationship with Him becomes unbiblical. Again, this is where religious devotion comes in. We are His servants, His children even. We must remember that God has been and will always be great, higher and holier than we are. {The R&R of Christianity}

Christianity should be a religion of a relationship with Jesus Christ and with Christ his God, Jehovah the God above all kings and gods, but also about the relationship with others and other things (human beings, nature – plants and animals).

Fear God

Many who have made Jesus as their god have lost the fear of God or fear for God. Our religion should be an expression of that fear for God. In the end it will be Him that preserves the faithful, and plentifully shall reward him that deals proudly with the Truth, having the courage to speak out and show the world That Only One True God, the God of the kings David, Solomon and Christ. Strangely enough Trinitarians are giving the word Christian an othe meaning than then “ian” to the “Christ” would suggest. They do not see the fundamentals connected to being a Christian, nor the need to know about the God of Christ, Who is the God of the Bible. Those Trinitarians minimalise the act of Christ and do not value Jesus his act of submission to God and his complete sacrifice for humanity. Strangely enough many who call themselves Christian but worship a three-headed god dare to say, like the pharmacy student Teni:

God wanted His people to stand out from the people around them.
…
The bible makes us understand that God Almighty the creator of the whole universe is the One and Only true God. That means, every other god, is actually non-existent and made up by people’s imagination and craftiness. {4 Mmisconceptions that need to be cleared about being a christian}

though they do not believe in that Only One True God.

Bringing honour to the Only Right God

Bringing honour to such false gods is at the same time dishonouring God and misusing God’s Name and God’s Title. those who call themselves Christian should witness to the goodness of God in a world that has ceased to acknowledge His existence, let alone His sovereignty over the Cosmos. It was God’s son, Jesus who gave his followers an assignment to tell those around them about the Divine Creator and His promises, the good news of the Gospel of the coming Kingdom of God.

Those calling themselves Christian, should as followers of Jesus Christ, not only keep to his teachings, but follow the example of Christ, being servants of God, Jesus and others, and this even to their own peril. We should have a friendship realtionship with Christ as our brotherbut we are not to consider ourselves as equals with God, in the same way Jesus never considered himself equal with God. We owe only Jesus his God, the Elohim Hashem Jehovah, all of our devotion and allegiance.

 

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Preceding

Not About The Name Of The Godhead Of Jesus

Rhetoric and Biblical Truth

Confrontation by people telling lies to force others to avoid the targetted groups

Religions and Mainliners

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Additional reading

1. People are turning their back on Christianity
2. Blindness in the Christian world
3. Not liking your Christians
4. Not all christians are followers of a Greco-Roman culture
5. Christian in Christendom or in Christianity
6. Christianity is a love affair
7. To be chained by love for another one
8. Many forgot how Christ should be our anchor and our focus
9. Jesus and God
10. Only one God
11. A Father Who begat a son
12. Jahushua, Joshua, Jeshua or Jesus an Immanuel or God with us an incarnated God or a human being?
13. The sent one from God
14. Knowing Jesus Rabboni
15. Jesus son of God or God the son
16. Jesus son of God
17. Jesus Christ the Messiah
18. Seeing Jesus
19. Focussing on oneness with Jesus like Jesus is one with God
20. Reasons that Jesus is Not God
21. God son king and his subjects
22. Not saying Jeshua is God
23. Sayings of Jesus, what to believe and being or not of the devil
24. Jesus begotten Son of God #19 Compromising fact
25. On the Nature of Christ
26. The Son can do nothing of his own accord
27. The son of man given authority by God
28. The Nazarene master teacher learning people how they should behave
29. Doctrine of Christ
30. One Mediator
31. Commandements of Christ
32. Statutes given unto us
33. Relationship with God, Jesus and each other
34. Memorizing wonderfully – Additional verses: Psalm 34 Tasting and blessing Jehovah God
35. Extra verses to remember by the reading of Psalm 45 A Great name to Praise God
36. Not words of any organisation should bind you, but the Word of God
37. A learning process for each of us
38. Paul’s warning about false stories and his call to quit touching the unclean thing
39. Matthew 15 Calvin’s view
40. Matthew 20 It is never too late
41. Matthew 20 Are you willing to work for Jesus?
42. Matthew 25 Jesus ministry drawing to its dramatic conclusion and warning to be ready
43. A strange thing might happen when you come under Christ
44. As brothers and sisters showing that you are followers of the real Jesus or being a Jeshuaist sharing responsibilities
45. Demanding signs or denying yourself
46. Attitude of a Christian
47. As Christ’s slaves doing the Will of God in gratitude
48. A heart full of love is a fundamental requirement
49. Christianity without the Trinity
50. Doubting and going astray
51. Main churches losing population share
52. How do trinitarians equate divine nature
53. Europe and much-vaunted bastions of multiculturalism becoming No God Zones
54. Thought for today November the 6th: Indifference
55. Is it a Jewish or a Christian faith
56. Religious imagery used by pop artists
57. Avoiding friction and distraction in the body of Christ
58. Today’s thought “Fools despise wisdom” (March 23)
59. False opposite true worship which exalts the God of Israel
60. How should we worship God? #14 True worship
61. In a time when we must remain in our place
62. Memorizing wonderfully 18 Proverbs – Fear of God, Wisdom and instruction
63. Symptom of tzara’at a white spot on the flesh
64. Today’s thought “Folly and Wickedness of Men” (January 06)
65. Today’s thought “Sound an alarm for the day of Jehovah that comes” (November 19)

 

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Further related

1. Pouring Into Others (comeawake.org)
2. Being Christian
3. Being Christian Takes Practice
4. Being Christian On Day One
5. What Does It Mean to be a True Christian?
6. Being A Cultural Christian Is Not Enough
7. The Quiet in the Land
8. Martin Luther’s Seal
9. Today in Church History Erasmus Loaded the Reformation Cannon
10. ROFLMAO — what would Luther’s 95 Theses sound like in an corporate office email memo to all staff?
11. Swedish Lutherans: Synodical and congregational minutes on baptism and membership in the 1850s
12. A Bonhoeffer moment and a barstool conversation between Luther, Bonhoeffer and a Finnish theologian — links and quotes for future reference
13. Lutheran Women and Their Impact on History
14. Luther an’ Me‘
15. Dear Church’: A tapestry of discipleship and a call for white folks to ‘do good white folk work’ to help dismantle racism
16. Progressive Christianity
17. Check Yourself, Christian
18. Unchurched
19. Come To Me To Have Life
20. Sheep and Goats, Faith and Mercy
21. Reformation 2020. The Righteousness of God at the Present Time
22. It Matters
23. Commitment to Christ Means Commitment to His Church (Blogs Revisited)
24. What the Coronavirus Reveals about Protestant Piety
25. Lutherans vs. Coronavirus
26. Attitude is Everything
27. Is the Trinity scriptural – or is it pagan nonsense
28. Fully God and Fully Man
29. December 11,2020: Finding the “O’s” in God’s message
    Satan’s Lie: You Can Become God
30. Is Jesus God? – Adnan Rashid vs Samuel Green
31. Proof that the disciples did not preach the trinity!
32. How the Trinity Debate has Influenced Our Reading
33. A Trinitarian Christian claims he can explain the trinity…guess what happens next?
34. Mohammed Hijab vs David Wood, Tawheed vs Trinity
35. Is Jesus God? Debate between Pastor Stanley Sjoberg and Sheikh Ahmed Deedat
36. Trinity vs Tawheed, Adnan Rashid vs Samuel Green (Part 1)
37. Trinity vs Tawheed – Adnan Rashid vs Samuel Green (Part 2)
38. Of Christianity and Modern Morality
39. 4 Mmisconceptions that need to be cleared about being a christian
40. Matthew 20:26
41. Psalm 56 – Fear and Trust
42. Heaven, work, and duty
43. The Church – Body of Christ
44. Funhouse God
45. Our Heavenly Home 
46. Listening While White: Respecting the Image of God in People of Color
47. Deepening our Faith: 2nd Sunday of Advent 2020
48. He is Faithful
49. Catholicism – a False religion based on idolatry man made doctrines pagan traditions
50. Completing the great commission
51. Where is wisdom found?
52. the high cost of not trusting God
53. Above the voice of men
54. Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid
55. Fear of God – Temor de Dios
56. The Fear of God
57. Fear Brings Contentment
58. Pleasing and Not Pleasing People for the Glory of God
59. You´ve overcome

Truth, doubt or blindness

The Jordan River and “Kfar-Hanasi” bridge (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

At a certain time in history, nearly two thousand years ago there was a man preaching in the dessert. The disciples of John reported of an other preacher leaving Capernaum going into a city called Nain with several of his disciples and a great crowd went with him. In that place were also disciples of that preacher in the desert, clothed in camel hair.
Those pupils may have been astonished by the great multitude this story teller could fetch. they also witnessed how this preacher drew near to the gate of the city when there was carried out one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.  they witnessed how that preacher had compassion on her, and said unto her not to weep. Unbelievable it was to see how he came nigh and touched the bier and the bearers stood still. Having said that the young man had to ‘Arise’ they also witnessed with others in the city that this young man got up and began to speak. And he gave him back to his mother.  Seeing this they were not the only ones taken by fear. Many glorified God and said that a great prophet was arisen among them.

This report of the incredible event went forth concerning that preacher in the whole of Judea, and all the region round about. And the disciples of John the Baptist told him of all these things.  John having become curious about this miracle worker called unto him two of his disciples to sent to that man to ask him if he was the one the world was looking and waiting for.

This mural, painted on the interior of the John the Baptist Church at the Jordan River, depicts Jesus’ baptism by the hand of John. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When the men were come unto him and said that John the Baptist had sent them unto him to ask if he was “he that cometh”, or if they had to look for another. that day they could see how in one hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and on many that were blind he bestowed sight. The preacher and miracle-worker from Nazareth knew his member of family and told his disciples the things which they had seen and heard; the blind receiving their sight, the lame walking again, the lepers being cleansed, and the deaf hearing again but also the dead raised up, whilst everybody could hear him preach in the name of the Only One God. Rich or poor, all had good tidings preached to them. Though we know that many doubted and still many doubt today. Then as know there are still many who find enough occasion of stumbling in him.

When the messengers of John were departed, this miracle-worker with the name Jeshua (Jesus) began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, a man clothed in soft raiment. He asked the people around him what they went out to see. A prophet?

We are told that the preaching man in the dessert and baptising people in the river Jordan was much more than a prophet.  He is the one of whom it is written,

    Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who shall prepare thy way before thee

The people had a son of man spoken about in the old scrolls and now got to see an other son of man prophesied in the ancient Holy Writings. but who was willing to see what he did, hear what he said, and believe what he said? Then and now there are still many people who do not want to believe the words which were written down about that man who was lower than angels but made higher later on. Lots of people do forget that God is, was and always has been the Most High, and that it is Him Who gives and takes life. The Nazarene man who did those miracles never claimed to do them himself, but still today there are lots of people who want to believe that it was he himself who did it all and that he is the Most High God. They are the people Jesus is also talking about, the ones who do not want to believe the Words of God Himself Who ascribed His people, who said Who were His and who Jesus was. Though many could hear it when this son of man was standing in the river Jordan.

Luk 3:15-22 MKJV  And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts concerning John, lest perhaps he was the Christ,  (16)  John answered all, saying, I indeed baptize you with water, but He who is mightier than I comes, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to loose. He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire,  (17)  whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor and will gather the wheat into His storehouse. But He will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire.  (18)  And then indeed exhorting many things, he proclaimed the gospel to the people.  (19)  But Herod the tetrarch (being reproved by him on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done)  (20)  added still this above all, that he even shut John up in prison.  (21)  And it happened in the baptizing of all the people, Jesus also being baptized, and praying, and the heaven was opened.  (22)  And the Holy Spirit came down in a bodily shape, like a dove on Him. And a voice came from Heaven, which said, You are My Son, the Beloved; I am delighted in You.

After his baptism and his retreat of meditation in the dessert this son of man about Whom God had declared to be His beloved son, Jeshua (Jesus) like his cousin started preaching but went also into the villages and towns. this was when he was beginning to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) son of Joseph, son of of Heli.

Luk 7:11-35 MKJV  And it happened on the next day, He went into a city called Nain. And many of His disciples and a great crowd went with Him.  (12)  And drawing near the gate of the city, even behold, one having died was being carried out, an only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable crowd of the city was with her.  (13)  And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, Do not weep.  (14)  And He came and touched the bier. And the ones who bore him stood still. And He said, Young man, I say to you, Arise!  (15)  And the one who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother.  (16)  And fear came on all. And they glorified God, saying, A great prophet has risen up among us; and, God has visited His people.  (17)  And this report of Him went out in all Judea, and in all the neighborhood.  (18)  And his disciples reported all these things to John.  (19)  And John, calling near a certain two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, Are You He that should come, or do we look for another?  (20)  And coming to Him, the men said, John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, Are You He who should come, or do we look for another?  (21)  And in the same hour He cured many of infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits. And He gave sight to many who were blind.  (22)  And answering, Jesus said to them, Go and tell John what you have seen and heard; that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the gospel is proclaimed to the poor.  (23)  And blessed is he who shall not be offended in Me.  (24)  And when the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the people concerning John. What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?  (25)  But what did you go out to see? A man clothed with soft clothing? Behold, those in splendid clothing and being in luxury are in kings’ palaces.  (26)  But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and much more than a prophet.  (27)  This is he of whom it is written, “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who shall prepare Your way before You.”  (28)  For I say to you, Among those who are born of woman there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist. But he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.  (29)  And all the people and the tax-collectors who heard Him justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.  (30)  But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, not being baptized by him.  (31)  And the Lord said, To what then shall I compare the men of this generation? And to what are they like?  (32)  They are like children sitting in a market and calling to one another, and saying, We have played the flute to you, and you have not danced; we have mourned to you, and you did not weep.  (33)  For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, He has a demon.  (34)  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, Behold a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!  (35)  But wisdom has been justified by all her children.

You may wonder if John was uncertain about Jesus’ identity. It is not clear that he knew the preacher to be spoken of to be Jeshua his cousin. If they would have told him his name he would have known more, but at that time the stories where still vague and very confusing, because people told about incredible things, like people standing up from the dead. Also for John the Baptist such stories should have sounded incredible and unbelievable.

Pastor Chris Linzey aks us to put ourselves in the shoes of that desert preacher John the Baptist.

It’s comforting to see that even a spiritual giant like John the Baptist can face uncertainty. John was uncertain about Jesus’ identity. Um, say what?!? Remember – John was the one who baptized Jesus! But put yourself in John’s sandals – after baptizing Jesus, John probably expected Jesus to come in power, drive out the Romans, and take charge as the true king of Israel. It was the expectation of all of the Jews that the Messiah would be this kind of savior. The crowds, the disciples, and even John didn’t expect this Messiah – one who came to save people eternally, not just politically. {When a Baptist Doubts Jesus…}

No wonder many dared to ask themselves if this son of man could perhaps be the one talked about in the prophesies they all so knew very well. Or should they keep looking?

In previous articles we have already spoken about the doubt and how much doubt can be accepted or tolerated and could be seen as something natural in our human constitution. Every time someone in the Bible expresses doubt, the doubt moves to faith after God responds.

The same is true here with John the Baptist. He is not condemned for questioning and expressing concerns about the Messiah. In fact, Jesus commends John!{When a Baptist Doubts Jesus…} John expressed concern and doubt and Jesus says there is none greater. Not bad, getting a compliment from the Messiah! But John came with a different purpose and function than Jesus. John came to prepare the way for the Messiah. Jesus affirms that he Is the Messiah. But people just won’t be pleased. {When a Baptist Doubts Jesus…}

Also today we do find people who do not want to accept that Jesus could really be a man doing God His Will. They think it to be impossible for any man to do God His Will. This is not only doubting man himself but also doubting God. Because it would indicate that God could not create a man able to follow His Wishes and keeping to His commandments He gave them. (That would also make this God in a very cruel God, putting Laws unto His creatures knowing that they can not keep to them and than terrorising them with the punishment of pain, continues suffering and death.)

When you look around you you might find lots of people who do not want to accept Jesus is really the son of man and the son of God, as the Bible tells us. Lots do not even want to accept he lived because they follow those who say Jesus is God and for them God does not exist so Jesus cannot have existed. Both are blinded by a wrong idea. The Christians who do not accept the manhood of Jesus, denying the Words of God Himself about His son, and ignoring the many remarks of Jesus about his position and relationship with his heavenly Father. And the atheists confusing with them two different characters, one a man of flesh and blood, being a historical figure and a biblical figure, whilst the other though also a biblical figure, not being a man of flesh and blood but being an eternal Spirit and Creator of heavens and earth.

For lots of people it does take a lot of time before they come to see things and it even takes much longer before they come to see the truth.

Pastor Chris Linzey is reminded of the Mark Twain quip:

When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.

He writes:

Eventually kids come to recognize the wisdom of their parents. And time will show that Jesus is who and what he claims to be. Time will show that Jesus IS the Messiah. And with him comes the kingdom of God – here and now, breaking through to earth.

He also thinks about the song called “Give Me Faith” which says:

I need you to open my eyes And see that you’re shaping my life All I am, I surrender Give me faith

We only can ask God that He will open the eyes of many and shall show them who the one is about Whom He said that he is His beloved son. In the coming weeks we shall be reminded of the acts this young man did, giving his life, not for himself, not to please himself, not for doing his own will, but for doing the Will of God and out of love for all people. In case Jesus is God he naturally would always have done his own will and would have known that man nor death can do nothing to him. But not being God he had to trust his heavenly Father and had to believe all the promises of his ancestors. He also had to fully believe in the One who he thought to be the God of Abraham to be the Creator of heaven and earth, willing to accept his ransom offer.

No wonder Jesus sweated blood and water, because he too had moments of doubt and worried about what could happen to him. If he was God he would not have had to worry, because God knows everything, but he as man was in a total different position. He had not to lack faith. And that is important for us as well. We may also not lack faith like Jesus trusted his heavenly Father we too should trust our heavenly Father.

This week, examine the ways and areas of your life where you might lack faith (or have weak faith). – Pray that God would expand and increase your faith! {When a Baptist Doubts Jesus…}

Many who heard about the master teacher and his miracles doubted in those stories being true. Many came to look at him just out of curiosity. Lots of people found him very entertaining and were willing to follow him in the mountains to hear his stories and to see what he would do next. Having not television this was the reality show in pure real life time, with magic beyond human understanding. Bread and fishes multiplying like nothing. People standing up after years having paralysed or being so ill they could not do much. Many could see it but still did not believe it. Today we cannot see it but are we willing to believe it?

John came to prepare the way for the Messiah. Jesus affirms that he Is the Messiah. But people just won’t be pleased. {When a Baptist Doubts Jesus…} “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’ For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”

The son of man of whom is said he is also the son of God, is given to humankind.  Lots is written about him. The most important things are able to be found in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible. What is written in there about this rabbi people should believe. Those words we should accept like they are written down for previous, our and next generations, to come to see. Let us see and hear and finally come to believe.

At the time of Jesus non-Jews also came to believe in him. Even a centurion, one of the Roman soldiers came to see Jesus.

This is not someone who is naturally part of “God’s people.” Clearly he is friendly towards the Jews. He knows Jewish elders and helped build the local synagogue. Yet he has a level of faith that puts God-believers to shame. Not only does he ask Jesus to heal a servant, he demonstrates an understanding of Jesus’ authority that everyone else around Jesus seems to miss. {Jesus Didn’t Really Do Miracles} It’s one thing for a local healer to put hands on someone and to say some words and to bring about a healing. Here the soldier is asking Jesus to demonstrate the impossible – a distance miracle. There is no touch involved (a common element in ancient healing rituals). But as the centurion understands military authority, he believes Jesus has the same spiritual authority. {Jesus Didn’t Really Do Miracles} In all of Jesus’ healing stories, the response of the crowd is to marvel and amaze at Jesus. Here, Jesus marvels at the centurion! This truly is incredible faith, and because of the faith Jesus delivers and the servant is healed. If Jesus can heal from a distance like this, what limit is there to his ability? {Jesus Didn’t Really Do Miracles}

We understand the way of thinking of many atheists and unbelievers. It all sounds incredible. But that means not that it would not be  credible. It would not be a miracle if it would normally could happen just like that.

Are we willing to believe the Bible? Are we willing to accept that God provided the world with some one who could speak in God His Name and honour Him perfectly? Are we willing to put our doubts away and see like Pontius Pilate an innocent man brought to the slaughter, being the king of the Jews but also the perfect ransom offer, God accepting him to become the king of many, also non-Jews?

Are we willing to belong perhaps to the those underdogs who Jesus calls lucky? Though the majority of the world does not want to believe in God nor in the one sent by God, do you want to believe in that sent one from God who came to tell the world about the Good News of the  Kingdom of God? Though he may change your ideas of who and what is important in the kingdom of God and may turn the table on the people who live their best life now, are you prepared to follow his teachings and not those of certain theologians or men who claim to be man of God, but are not notated as that in the Bible?

Are you willing to open your own eyes or to blindly follow the sayings and doctrines of man?

We should go for that preacher who told that the Spirit of Jehovah God was on him, because God has anointed him to bring good news to the poor and to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and freedom to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of God’s favour, and the day of our God’s vengeance; to comfort all who mourn.

Let us believe in that man sent from God who ave his body for the whole world, and restored the relationship between God and man. He now is the mediator between God and man, our intercessor in whom we should put all our hope.

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Preceding article: What is the truth asked also Pontius Pilate

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Read relevant articles:

1. Christ begotten through the power of the Holy Spirit
2. Jesus begotten Son of God #3 Messiah or Anointed one
3. Jesus begotten Son of God #6 Anointed Son of God, Adam and Abraham
4. Jesus begotten Son of God #11 Existence and Genesis Raising up
5. Jesus begotten Son of God #14 Beloved Preminent Son and Mediator originating in Mary
6. Jesus Messiah
7. Jesus and his God
8. Wishing to do the will of God
9. The high calling of God in Christ Jesus
10. On the Nature of Christ
11. Servant of his Father
12. Nazarene Commentary Matthew 3:13-17 – Jesus Declared God’s Son at His Baptism
13. Nazarene Commentary Mark 1:9-11 – An Approved Son Baptized
14. On the Nature of Christ
15. Jesus is the Son of God but Not God the Son
16. A voice cries out: context
17. Days of Nisan, Pesach, Pasach, Pascha and Easter
18. Servant for the truth of God
19. Science, scepticism, doubts and beliefs
20. Doubting and going astray
21. Looking at three “I am” s
22. Let me keep to “first importance” things
23. Faith is knowing there is an ocean because you have seen a brook.

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