Do you know the truth about Jesus Christ? Considering all that He claimed about Himself and the ramifications of not believing the truth, (John 8:31-32) there is nothing more important than knowing the real Jesus. People today claim to know the truth about Christ, and some may honestly think they are following Him, but could they be mistaken? Could you? Would you take a few minutes to read and think about who Jesus really is? The only way to confidently know the truth about Him is to hear what God’s word has to say…
Jesus is God in the Flesh
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”
– John 1:1-3
Who is the “Word” that John wrote of? It is Jesus. John continues: “And the Word became 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 1:14) “The Word became flesh” affirms both the divinity and humanity of our Lord. Not a single thing came into existence independent of the Word. The fact that the Word existed before creation, reveals that He is not a created being, He is eternal. The truth is that while Jesus is a part of the eternal godhead (see: Colossians 2:9), He was given a body of flesh for the purpose of dwelling among us and offering the perfect sacrifice for our sins. “Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me.’” (Hebrews 10:5)
Jesus is the Savior; The Only Way to the Father
The Bible teaches that all have sinned and are worthy of death. (Romans 3:23) By the grace of God, Jesus came into the world to save us from our sins. (John 3:16) His perfect sacrifice on the cross paid the price for our redemption. (Colossians 1:14,20) His resurrection from the dead has made it possible for us to share in the victory over death. (1Corinthians 15:55-56) We now can be reconciled to God and have the true hope of eternal life. There is no other savior, no other name by which man can be saved. (Acts 4:12) Jesus declared:“6 …‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6). There is no other way, no substitute, no alternate path to the Father in heaven; we must go to Jesus, the Christ.
Jesus Requires More Than Just Believing in Him
In Acts 2:36, the apostle Peter proclaimed: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Is it possible that we believe Jesus is Lord and Christ, but our life fails to treat Him as Lord? Jesus once asked: “And why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) If we believe Him, we will submit to Him and do as He commands. Otherwise, He will not know us. (See: Matthew 7:21-23)
Is it not reasonable to expect that Jesus, as Lord, has the right to decide how we receive His grace? The Lord requires obedience from the heart (Romans 6:17). Some of His commands include (but are not limited to): confession, (Matthew 10:32), repentance (Luke 13:3-5), baptism (Mark 16:15-16), loving one another (John 13:34-35), being faithful and walking in the narrow way (Matthew 7:13-14; Revelation 2:10). Jesus is not just our Savior, He is our king! He is both Lord and Christ, and He will not save those who refuse to obey His gospel nor abide in His word (John 15:1-10; 2 Thessalonians1:8).
Jesus Now Reigns in Heaven and On Earth
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.’”
- Matthew 28:18
When Jesus began His ministry, one of the first things He taught was to “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) The kingdom was near, soon to be established. Jesus often taught about the nature and importance of His kingdom. His was a kingdom not of this world (John 18:36). Many still question its existence, possibly looking for a physical fulfillment of it with land, borders, military forces and the like, but they are missing the true Kingdom that was prophesied about long ago – an eternal kingdom that would be set up during the days of the Roman empire (see: Daniel 2:44). While Jesus was on the earth, before He went to the cross, He revealed: “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.” (Mark 9:1). Either Jesus spoke the truth about His kingdom, and it came into existence before that generation passed, or Jesus was mistaken and failed.
There are many who teach that Christ intended to set up His kingdom while on earth, but the Jews somehow thwarted His plans. This teaching is not found in the Bible and opposes the truth revealed about Jesus and the Father’s will for redeeming mankind (Ephesians 3:10-11; Titus 1:2). Instead, Jesus’ own apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, declared that the Lord’s kingdom has already been established: “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13). Jesus did not come to set up an earthly kingdom, and He will not return to rule over an earthly kingdom.. (see: 2 Peter 3:10-13) He now rules and reigns in the hearts of all people who submit to Him. Truly, He is the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Jesus Will Be Our Judge
You’ve probably heard someone claim that: “Jesus never judges us.” But is that the real Jesus? This statement is often used when an attempt is being made to justify, tolerate, or promote sin. The Scriptures reveal how deceptive and dangerous the suggestion is. Throughout His word, God has revealed that there will be a judgment, and we will all be held individually accountable for the life we have lived. As the apostle Paul said in Acts 17:31,"…God has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained…” Who is to be the Judge? Paul answers: “He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31). God raised Jesus from the dead three days after He died on the cross. We serve a risen Savior! But He was also made Lord and Christ, and given the authority and power to judge.
Jesus warned: “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). Paul told Timothy: "I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing...”(2 Tim. 4:1; See also: 2Cor 5:10).
God’s word couldn’t be any clearer: Jesus Christ will be our judge! Yes, He is still the loving Savior, full of grace and truth, but He will never be unjust; He will judge with righteous judgment. Jesus explained: “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:30).
Conclusion:
“And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are 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 20:30-31
So much more should be examined when it comes to the revelation of Jesus Christ. But in our pursuit, we must be careful to find and believe the truth because only the truth will set us free from sin. If you will search God’s word with a receptive and honest heart, you will come to know the truth about Jesus. But it’s not enough to know some facts about Him; you must come to know Jesus by abiding in His word and doing His will.
Will you make certain that the Jesus you know is the true Jesus revealed in the word of God? If you have any questions or would like to request a further study, please contact us today!