We call ourselves Christians and yet we refuse to believe the word of God. Are we certain that we are Christians? Do we truly understand what being a Christian means; or do we simply rely on what might make us feel good about ourselves? How can we possibly call ourselves Christians if we don’t believe the word of God?
Hold on to your seats, because I am going to highlight a few examples of what I’m talking about. Keep in mind however, these are simply examples. I am not using them here to run away into different conversations. Also, keep in mind that I am pointing directly to the word of the bible, not my own opinions.
First, let’s begin with the issue of marriage being between one man and one woman. Genesis 2:24 reads; “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” Now, if we believe there is nothing wrong with same-sex marriage, then we cannot say we believe the bible.
In Leviticus 18:22 we’re told that; “You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.” Likewise, in Romans 1:26 we read; “For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature.”
The bible says that homosexuality is a sin. (much like any other sin; but still a sin), nonetheless. If we view it otherwise, then how can we claim to be bible-believing Christians? If we do not oppose homosexuality, then we cannot say we believe the bible and therefore we cannot call ourselves Christians.
Where is it written that we have the right to over-rule God’s word; simply because it makes us feel good? We were told to keep “seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Col 3:1) If we make our decisions based on what makes us feel good in this world, then we cannot be seeking the things above. We cannot claim to believe the bible. We cannot call ourselves Christians. While God created us with a free will, he did not create us to defy his word and make up our own.
Moving forward, let’s talk about Jesus. How can we call ourselves Christians and yet deny that Jesus was God in the flesh? The word, “Christian,” is used to refer to a person or a people that follow Christ. For us today, following Christ means to not only know what the bible says, but to live in the manner consistent with its teachings.
The bible teaches us that Jesus was God in the flesh. If we are followers of Christ, how could we continue to listen these “false teachers;” to anyone that tries to teach us otherwise? If we are confident enough to call ourselves Christians, then how could we believe such a lie?
The apostle John, one of those closest to Christ here on earth, told us in the first verse of his gospel; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1 NASB). Is there any part of this verse we do not understand? John was quite specific and straight-forward in writing this passage. If we cannot accept this verse and believe it, how can we call ourselves Christians?
I believe many Christians would agree that the bible is the Word of God. Many believe that Jesus was the Word, made into flesh. And yet, many of these same people would deny the Jesus is God. The bible is the Word of God. The Word of God is Jesus. From beginning to end, Jesus was and is the Word.
Some may not put Jesus at the Garden of Eden. I believe He was there and I’ll tell you why. In the 3rd chapter of Genesis (3:24), it is written; “So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.”
In Ephesians 6:17, Paul writes, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” (The Word of God being Jesus). Revelation 1:16 reads, “And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.” John then writes, “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges.”
These are but a few samples of the numerous bible verses that explain the sword of the Word; of Jesus. Jesus was the Word which literally became flesh in the womb of Mary. Jesus was the Word. The Word was God.
What about the stories in the Old testament that tell us that nobody could “see” God and survive? How then could Christ be God? First, it is important to understand that the incarnation of Jesus was not the first time that God had taken on the physical flesh in this world.
It was the pre-incarnate Jesus (God in the flesh) that wrestled hand to hand with Jacob. God, in the flesh of Jesus, said he shall be called, “Israel.” And, don’t forget, though Jacob could walk away, he did not walk away unscathed.
If we will continue to call ourselves Christians we must be firm in believing what the bible shares with us. We must strengthen our belief and faith in the Word of God; in Christ Jesus. In John 10:30, Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” Paul writes to us in the 15th verse of the 1st chapter of Colossians; “He is the image of the invisible God.” (For more bible references see end of article).
And now, I must invoke a cliché. The bible is not a buffet. We cannot pick and choose what we wish to believe. If we are true Christians; true followers of Christ; we must have faith, believe, and advocate the whole Word of God. If we do not believe what the bible tells us, then we cannot be true Christians; we cannot call ourselves Christians.
If we deny that Jesus was God in the flesh, then we deny the Word of God; we deny God Himself. Jesus is the Bible. The New Testament itself is entirely Christ, and Christ was God in the flesh. God gave us free will, but His Word is forever. His word is unchangeable. His word will outlive everyone upon this Earth. God gave us free will, but God did not give us the right to change His word.
We cannot go through life living simply by what might make us feel good. We might see nothing wrong with same-sex marriage. God does. God has told us so. Throughout the bible, God makes it very clear that He designed one man to be with one woman. God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” God did just that. God made a helper for man; and it was not another man, but rather a “woman.”
©2017 Clayton Moore All Rights Reserved
Reference
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 10:30 I and [my] Father are one.
Heb. 1:3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power…
Col. 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Heb 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host.
1 Pe 1:23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
Joh 5:37 “And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form.
Joh 5:38 “You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent.
Joh 5:39 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;
John 14:10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.
John 14:9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
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