Transformer - 03/29/2015
Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God
Satan had heard that Jesus of Nazareth was claiming that He was the Son of God. So, being typical Satan, he approaches Jesus to prove His claim. On two occasions, Satan says, “If You are the Son of God …” There would be no need to tempt Jesus if the claim did not have some substance. The people who saw Jesus on the cross tempted Him to prove that He was “the Son of God” by coming down off of the cross (Matthew 27:40). The chief priest and the scribes even joined in the mocking.
When Jesus was in the “country of the Gadarenes, two demon possessed men who met [Jesus] as they were coming out of the tombs” (Matthew 8:28) referred to Jesus as the “Son of God” (8:29). When the “unclean spirits beheld” Jesus they would cry out, “You are the Son of God” (Mark 3:11).
The writer of the Gospel of Mark (1:1) begins by describing Jesus as “the Son of God.” To the mother of Jesus, the angel said that the Holy Spirit would impregnate her and therefore her child would be called “the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). John the Baptist said, “I have seen, and have borne witness that [Jesus] is the Son of God” (John 1:34). After hearing Jesus speak to him, Nathanael said to Jesus, “You are the Son of God” (John 1:49).
Jesus even spoke of Himself as being the Son of God. In reply to the Jews accusing Jesus of blaspheming, He says, “I am the Son of God” (John 10:36). To His apostles concerning the death of Lazarus, He said what had happened was so that “the Son of God may be glorified” (John 11:4).
During His trial, Jesus admits that He is the Son of God. When asked by the high priest if He was the Son of God, Jesus answered, “Yes, I am” (Luke 22:70).
There were several people who confessed that Jesus was the Son of God. After Jesus died, the centurion who was guarding Jesus said, “Truly this man was the Son of God” (Mark 15:39).
Before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, Martha confessed that she believed that Jesus was “the Christ, the Son of God” (John 11:27). After hearing Philip preach Jesus, the Ethiopian eunuch confessed that he believed that “Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (Acts 8:37). After his conversion, Paul preached in Damascus that Jesus “is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20).
Paul introduced his letter to the Romans (1:4) by stating that Jesus “was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead.” In other letters written by Paul he states that Jesus is the Son of God.
John the apostle in writing his first short epistle makes numerous references to Jesus being the Son of God. He states that the Son of God appeared for the purpose of destroying “the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). John says the one who overcomes the world is the one who “believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (5:5). The apostle says that the one “who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (5:12). He even testifies that “the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding” (5:20).
In writing his gospel, John mentions several miracles that Jesus did. At the conclusion of his gospel John writes, “these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). At the end of his first epistle, John adds that this life will be “eternal life” (1 John 5:13).
The words of the book of Hebrews may be the best way to put all of this information into perspective. Since all of these things have been said about Jesus of Nazareth being the Son of God, then “let us hold fast our confession” (Hebrews 4:14). Having heard that Jesus is the Son of God and having believed in it and having confessed that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God (like the eunuch), then let us be like Paul and “live by faith in the Son of God, who loved [us] and gave Himself up for [us]” (Galatians 2:20), thus continuing to abide in God so that He will abide in us (1 John 4:15).
Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God and may we always be courageous and proud to confess that fact! - cgm
Thinking on the Word...
No Longer Practicing Unrighteousness - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
In order to become Christians, the people in Corinth had to make some major changes in their life once they heard the preaching of Paul. Some had to change their sexual behavior, some the religion they practiced, and some how they dealt with their fellow-man.
When they became Christians they voluntarily gave up a lifestyle which was contrary to the way God wanted them to live and began living a new lifestyle. When they were raised from being baptized, they were a new creature. They were raised to have a “newness of life.” They had “died” to this old way of living.
Paul, in making his argument about how to deal with the brother who had “his father’s wife,” is telling the Corinthian brethren “the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (6:9). The practice of this brother is not something the Corinthians are to tolerate along with these other sins which Paul enumerates (6:9-10). But he does not end on this negative note.
Paul reminds them that they have been “washed … sanctified … justified” (6:11). Being “washed” was something they volunteered to do because of the teaching of Paul. Being “sanctified” and being “justified” was something God would have done for them. However, all of this was done “in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.”
All three of these actions were done because Jesus had commanded it to be done. The “Spirit of our God” had revealed this information to the Corinthians through the preaching of Paul. These people in this pagan city heard what Paul said and put their trust in it. They demonstrated this faith by ceasing to do the things Paul mentions. Paul encourages them to continue to live this type of lifestyle.
One of the things we can learn from this passage is that action is required if we are going to “inherit the kingdom of God.” More than likely there are some things we are going to have to quit doing if we are going to go to heaven. Becoming a Christian is more than a mental acknowledgement that Jesus is our “Lord and Savior.” Becoming a Christian is putting into practice a behavior which conforms to His teaching. – cgm
Words of Wisdom
“Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, but he who regards reproof will be honored.” - Proverbs 13:18
Our word “discipline” is much broader than commonly used. It includes not only some type of punishment, but also includes instruction. This part of the definition is probably what Solomon intends for the readers to get from this short statement.
Poverty may be referring to riches but it may also be including some type of position in a social status regardless of the amount of wealth a person possesses. Coupled with poverty is the shame that will go with not being in as high a social status as one might desire. This poverty and shame is in contrast to being honored. What makes the difference?
People who listen to instructions or teachings from other people and make the corrections in their lives are admired by others. These types of people are ones who appreciate those who help them to become better people. Because they learn from other people, they do not make poor choices when it comes to investments or how to deal with their problems.
Sometimes instructions come in the form of following someone’s leadership or example. The person who has the attitude that they will follow someone’s example can learn a lot from individuals who have done an activity before. If a person disregards the leadership of an experienced person then quite often they will make mistakes which will either cost them money or shame. In some cases the mistake is so severe that they will be in poverty for a period of time if not for the rest of their lives.
From a spiritual standpoint, neglecting to follow the instructions (or discipline) of the Lord will ultimately bring shame upon an individual. Not following the Lord’s commands may even bring about shame in this present life as well as the life to come.
If we are willing to implement the instructions of the Lord in our life, then at the judgement day we will be honored by Him. - cgm