So today, someone replied to a sales advert, but the item in question soon took second place…
“I was interested in your [deleted for confidentiality], however reading further on your ad I became more interested in your comments regarding Jesus! Haha!! So what do you have to say about this carpenters son? This religion says he’s this, another religion says he’s that, but who do you say he is? What do you believe? Where do you go to church? By the way this is not spam I’m [deleted for confidentiality]. 😀”
Below is the reply I typed in between family activities, it’s not comprehensive by any means, but may be interesting for some.
“G’Day mate – thanks for the message… I’m glad you’ve got your priorities straight! Seriously, knowing who Jesus really is, far more important than a pallet jack!
The short answer to “who is Jesus” isn’t really that short but I’ll try! First off, tradition says carpenter, but He was more likely a stone mason – or at least builder of some description. Not a big deal and that’s just His human side…
The Bible centres on another aspect that is far more important:
“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.” (Colossians 1:15-17 (NLT))
From that one small section we can see that Jesus was the Creator of everything, is the One who holds everything together and is the visible image of the invisible God.
There’s way more written about Him in the Bible – He’s called the Alpha & Omega (beginning & end), King of Kings, Lord of Lords and the just Judge of all the world. That last one is pretty serious – every thought we have ever entertained, every word ever spoken, and every deed will be judged by Jesus according to His law.
The one that says “do not murder”. We often think “ahh I’m pretty good” (assuming you’re not like me & aren’t guilty of course). But His law also says “do not lie”, “do not steal”, “do not commit adultery” – much MUCH harder. Especially when you know that adultery to God is even looking at another being with lust (ie porn) and murder is even hating somebody! His standard is impossible to keep – His judgment perfect and the punishment lasts forever – hell.
While many religions use this name to try to scare you into their trap, Jesus simply told of this places existence: a place He prepared for satan & his demons. Jesus offers something far different from religion: He offers true and everlasting life. Not a life trying to please God or be ‘good’, but a life where He has paid our penalty – paid for our complete forgiveness, making us totally pure in His sight. He also changes us to actually want to do good. This was such a *huge* change for me – I *loved* sin & being bad until Jesus changed me.
Another way of answering who Jesus is: to me He is now my friend, brother and King. For those who are converted, they are adopted into the every family of God. They can’t wait for Him to return, love to serve Him & are willing to die for Him.
As for what other religions say of Him:
Catholics label Him correctly, yet ignore what He said & substitute what He did with their own rules & regulations.
Mormons think He is the brother of the devil, one of many ‘gods’, based on their own flawed book.
Jehovah’s Witnesses think He is just a servant of Jehovah – they have changed their version of the ‘Bible’ to suit, trying to delete any reference to who He really is. The Watchtower has a lot to answer for – they count even get God’s name correct (it is Yahweh, not Jehovah!).
Moslems know Jesus as the prophet Isa – though don’t understand that He is far higher than Mohammed. Even the Quran states that – but their book is quite easy to de-validate.
Many, many people use Jesus for their own end (even Reiki followers claim Jesus as their own!), however He Himself made it very clear: there is no religion or ‘method’ that is right – the only right ‘Way’ is Him!
“I am the way, the truth and the life, no one can come to the Father, except through Me”
I’ve quote the Bible – if you doubt it’s validity, feel free to reply. I used to – it makes some pretty outlandish claims…but my experience is the same as millions: once they start to examine the evidence (or the text!), truth can be found. He is looking!
Blessing mate – I hope you have a great Christmas.
Adam”
Lord, please open David’s1Not his real name, but Jesus knows who He is! eyes to who You are. Let Your Spirit convict Him and draw Him towards Your love. Give us wisdom and the desire to share Your truth.
Update: He replied!
“Adam! I did not expect such a lengthy in depth response, thank you.
I’m glad we can agree that many religions and sects/cults take claim to Jesus, what a minefield!! Who is right?
You speak of your conversion and now you have changed. My next problem I have with “christianity” is that people talk about being “saved”. But what does that actually mean? Some say you say 7 hail Mary’s and all is good. Some say you have to knock on doors every Saturday to be saved. Some even say you don’t need to do anything because Jesus died for the whole world.
What about baptism do you get baptised or not? Is it essential or not? So many choices! Like don’t you guys read the same bible? So why all the difference of opinion?”
My reply:
“No problems mate, I just hope it is worth it – for you.
I will answer your questions, however I think that my answers will only touch on your intellect. If you interact with Jesus, He will touch your heart & soul…much more powerful! I would love to send you a Bible – one you can actually understand. No tricks, it’s just a translation that is accurate AND written closer to what was intended.
Let me explain (briefly)!. The Bible was Witten (under inspiration of the Holy Spirit), to be read aloud to people. Personal, first person tense. However, when translated into English, that is often lost. The Bible is not ‘just’ theology & ideas, but the very Word of God – written directly to humans He loves.
So, if you’re keen let me know your postal address – I won’t use it for anything else but sending you a free Bible. I would then simply suggest you ask God to reveal Himself to you & read wherever you feel led you. Allow yourself to accept what you hear as coming from God.
But back to your questions:
I think you will agree that humans are inherently religious. No matter what scene you are in, no matter your upbringing, the human minds wants to ‘earn’ t’s’goodness’. We compare ourselves to others to give ourselves a subconscious metaphorical pat on the back. I’ve seen this from theives, from addicts, from successful business people, from religious people, from Atheists.
Religion plays right into this, as does the notion of Karma. We all like to think we are ‘good’ and religion gives a way to judge this. Unfortunately, that’s all it does – it classifies how good you are according to that religion. Again, Jesus said of the futility of such activity, mainly because God’d standard is so incredibly high, it is absurd to try to measure ourselves to it.
Jesus also gave illustration showing the framework for being forgiven:
Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:8-21 NLT
Clearly, religious people who think they are good because of what they have done, are doomed. They have received all the reward they will get!
Taking your question further and looking at the fact that people with differing opinions all read the same Bible… Again I urge you to realise that the below is just words, ideas, doctrine. Sure it may speak to you, however God speaks of conversion – a real, quantifiable experience where He interacts with you personally. After that, you would understand *far* easier! It’s like I am trying to show a beautiful picture to someone who is colourblind – they can sort of see, but not really.
The Bible talks of people who are unconverted as blind, dead and under God’s angry judgment…but try to bear with me!
First off, there is a big difference between difference people like Catholics, Mormons, JW’s, Muslims etc who take their doctrine from *other* supposed holy books and Christians who disagree on certain doctrines within Christianity.
Catholics adhere to traditions and writings that contradict the Bible, as do Jehovah’s Witnesses (the watchtower). Mormons have their own book (which has flaws even in the basic language, let alone its doctrines!) and Muslims have the Qur’an. Obviously these groups will have very different ideas to who God is & what He requires or offers. All of them require something from the person to be counted as good. Muslims, despite having the most extensive array of requirements, have no way of knowing whether God will accept them. Catholics have to keep three priest happy, but still don’t know, mormons & JW’s essentially believe everyone is saved but there are benefits if they are better.
Enter Jesus! He revealed in scripture that all of that is garbage, utter crap is closer to what the wording is! Any deeds that we think are good – even our best ones – are a stench in God’s sight. Filthy, filthy rags. He said the only think acceptable to God was perfection – and there was none holy – not one. Every human was born in sin & revelled in it.
Enter Jesus! Here’s a long section of scripture but it reveals a bit of prehistory (or maybe more accurately spiritual outside of time occurrence!)>
Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.
Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth. He stepped forward and took the scroll from the right hand of the one sitting on the throne. And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. And they sang a new song with these words:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and break its seals and open it.
For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
And you have caused them to become
a Kingdom of priests for our God.
And they will reign on the earth.”
Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.”
And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
belong to the one sitting on the throne
and to the Lamb forever and ever.” Revelation 5:1-13
This scene sets the stage for Jesus’s arrival on earth in time-space-matter… Only as a sin-free human could He pay the price of sin. He had to empty Himself of being God and be born human without male seed (hence the virgin birth). I’ll re-iterate here what I mentioned earlier. Once God opens your eyes, the things written in scripture just make sense. Once you have met the author, a virgin birth is no issue nor is a donkey that talks etc. I would suggest you allow Go dot speak to you & lower the mental defences around these crazy things…
No – don’t turn your brain off – He *loves* to reason things out with those He loves. And love you He does! Every time you have wondered, every time you have been sad or filled with guilt or rejoiced or been protected – He was there. Waiting, providing, protecting, calling.
Moving on to the last part of your question, about baptism & difference between Christians on certain issues. Very different from the cults / non Christian sects, are Christians who all use the Bible & still come to different conclusions. Some of this can be explained the same way two scientists review the same data & come to a different conclusion. Quite simply, some people prefer or are drawn to different things.
For instance, if you go to a Pentecostal church, the people are generally very liberal. They often firmly believe they & their children are saved, despite living with & for money during the week. They normally speak in tongues & their will be ‘prophecy’ in their services.
Towards the other end of the scale, a Baptist, Brethren or Reformed church would not act in any of those ways & would deny that tongues / prophecy are Godly practises . They may centre more on living holy and even doubt their own salvation (definitely that of their children unless fruit was seen).
Now neither group is better than the other – in fact, in *both* groups, according to Jesus, many (even most) are deceived! They simply centre on different parts of the Bible and think God works in different ways to each other. Reformed would address sin directly, preaching on it, Pentecostals believing god will convict people when He wants.
I hear your mind saying which is correct then?!! My answer would be pretty much *none*! Seriously, each has it’s own slant, each it’s own focus, each it’s own flavour, each it’s own strong points. But none are perfect. And the funny thing is God uses them all! There would be people from all that are saved DESPITE the problems & false stuff! God is waaaay bigger than mans problems & failures & errors.
The Bible tells us clearly how to spot those who are actually saved, but if you’re in that boot you normally don’t need the Bible to tell you! You’ll spot them at any of those churches, often in tears or extreme joy. They will be hard to offend, love serving, incredibly giving and funny thing is they will be totally fine hanging out with people or churches that do everything different / believe different things.
Jesus said it would be the love they have for each other that proves they are His…
I must go mate – it’s my date night with my wife I hope some of that makes sense & hasn’t overwhelmed you. I sense that what is a simple niggling question in your mind is actually the tip of the iceberg of a soul that actually yearns for truth. If I am right, God put that there for a reason. He knows you better than…
Blessings mate.”
Footnotes:
- 1Not his real name, but Jesus knows who He is!