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God became flesh, a mere man, who was Jesus of Nazareth. He lived a godly life that is pleasing to God the Father and was declared his begotten son. The Bible says that he has achieved it just being a man, filled with grace, truth and Spirit. We can also follow his life to please God, since the same power is made available to us. Thus a mere man can also inherit the kingdom of God, even to become joint-heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Christian traditions and sentiments claim that Jesus was also God while he was living as a man. The Bible says that God became flesh, as a man. God has to give all power, grace, Spirit, etc and God has promised us that he will give us all as he gave them to Jesus, if we please God as Jesus pleased him. Jesus lived as an example for us so that we may follow his steps. (If you want to study whether Jesus of Nazareth lived as a man or God, please click in the topic and study: Was Jesus of Nazareth a man or God or Man-God?)
God is a Spirit with awesome power. "John 4:24 God is a Spirit:--." Since he has Soul, he is a Person, but he is not a man. From the eternal, 'God the Word' was God with all his divine awesome power. "John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God." Then he took an unbelievable step and became flesh, an ordinary person. "John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us …" At this point he ceased to be God and he became just a man. Most Christians think that God ‘the Word’ has maintained the status of God in the flesh, but God says that he did not keep any power or status. "Phil 2:6 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." Jesus of Nazareth was not a "God Man", but he had become a mere man and lived as a humble person obedient to God.
As the servant of God, Jesus of Nazareth came to the temple of God. He found the house of God, which should be the house of prayer, has become a den of thieves. Looking at the life of the Scribes and Pharisees, he pronounced woe to them. Looking at the city of Jerusalem, he pronounced destruction. He was very much displeased with the activities in the temple. Present day churches fit the temple of that day and Jesus fits the pattern of a true servant of God. "Matt 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." You may read Matt 23:13-38. Here are a few verses. "Matt 23:13.. woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! --- 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! --- 16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, ---."
The Lord Jesus Christ has given his life as an example for us to follow his steps. "1 Peter 2:21 hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps."
He came from heaven and became a man to do the will of God. That is, we must also do the will of God. "John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." Jesus Christ told us please him as he pleased the Father and then he will be with us as the presence of the Father was always with him. "John 8:29 -- he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love." Since Jesus of Nazareth spoke the true word of God, ‘God the Father’ gave him the Holy Spirit without measure and all things. "John 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand." He received grace and spirit from God. "Luke 2:40 … the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." We must also receive the spirit and grace from God.
Jesus lived a perfect and holy life as an example so that the people may follow his steps. If he had lived as God without sin, it would not have been a big deal because God cannot commit sin. But he lived a life without sin as a man, which is an example for men/women to follow. "1Pet 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, --- 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: ---." Most Christians think that Jesus of Nazareth was able to live a holy life because he was God Man. It was not so. 'God the Word' emptied the awesome Omni-Power Spirit when he became flesh as a man. He lived holy life as a man, which is an example for a common person.
Obedience to God is the Key factor for salvation. There is no salvation for those who do not obey Jesus Christ. Obedience was not an easy thing even for Jesus. The word says that he has learned obedience through the things he suffered and he became the author of salvation. "Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;...." Only those who obey him are his people and God will save them. God will reject those who call Him Lord without obeying him. "Matt 7:21 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 which is in heaven."
Jesus Christ preached his gospel with authority. His disciples will continue to preach his gospel. "Matt 7:28 -- it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." His disciples preached the same gospel as Jesus Christ preached. "Luke 9:2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick…. 6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere."
Jesus Christ told his disciples to teach and do all the things that he has commanded them to do. "Matt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:--- Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Please notice that Jesus Christ told his disciples, who received his commandments, to preach his gospel. He did not tell all those who were benefited by his works to preach the gospel, since they do not know his commandments. .
The purpose of the true ministry is to perfect a saint as Jesus Christ is perfect. "Eph 4:11 … he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:" It is not only to follow Jesus, but to become like him.
God calls every one of us to follow his holy life. If you follow him, you will overcome as he overcame. "1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" If we mortify our sinning nature with the power of the Holy Spirit, we will live with Jesus for ever. "2 Tim 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:" If we suffer for his true ministry we will rule with the King of kings and Lord of lords. "2 Tim 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: …" If you have overcome, you will sit with Jesus Christ in the throne of God forever to rule with him. "Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." The Overcomers will inherit all things in heaven including the glory of God. "Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." Praise the Lord.
God created people to live in obedience to him that is to live holy. God will glorify those who live holy, as sons of God. The sons of God will inherit the eternal Kingdom. In order to show the way to people, God became a man. As a man, he showed them how to live by grace, truth and spirit. "2 Cor 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
If we love God with reverential fear, we will obey God - We will stop sinning.
the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
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