Pastor Isaac Livingston
www.truegospel.com
Jesus Christ Calls us to follow after him so that we become joint heirs with him in his kingdom. "The Word," who was God and who created the universe, became a mere man to make men to inherit his throne even to become joint-heirs with him.
God the Word became the Son of man, a humble person, Jesus of Nazareth. Christian traditions and sentiments claim that Jesus was also God while he was living as a man. The Bible says that God became flesh, a humble person without any godly power attributes. As a humble person, he lived within the means that was available to a man. He lived as an example for everyone of us. God 'the Word' left God's throne and became a humble man so that any person, who lives like the humble person Jesus, will become a son of God, rule from his throne and inherit all things of God. "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. Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."
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 beginning to the time of the Son of man, '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, a humble 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.
"Matt 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost." By the above verse, without knowing the wholesome word of God, people think that the Holy Spirit was the father and Mary was the mother of Jesus, which will qualify him as God Man. "Luke 1:34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." The above verse also seems to say that both God the Most High and God the Holy Spirit have jointly became the father while Mary being the mother. This understanding is not right because the child was the seed of the woman and was not the seed of God. Further, God is a Spirit and he does not have a flesh seed in order to contribute to the woman, the Virgin Mary.
When a baby is born, the father begets the baby by contributing the seed from his body and the mother brings forth the baby. God the Father and God the Holy Spirit was involved in the conception of Jesus, but neither one of them begot the baby. Since God is a Spirit, he does not have a flesh seed to place it in the womb of Virgin Mary. They did not contribute a seed to the virgin as a father would, but they created a body in the womb of the virgin from her own body. This was like the creation of Eve from the ribs of Adam. "Heb 10:5 ---when he cometh into the world, he saith, --- a body hast thou prepared me:" Because God prepared the seed from the body of Mary, Jesus was the seed of the woman. That is, Mary begot as well as brought forth the baby. In other words, Virgin Mary was the father and the mother of the baby. God the Word entered the body as a human soul, to be born as a boy baby, as the son of Virgin Mary only. God was not the father of the baby, but he was the creator of the body of the baby. "Gen 3:15 ---between thy seed and her seed; ---. John 1:14 -- the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us---. Matt 1:21 --- she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: ---."
Jesus of Nazareth needed to grow in the spirit and needed to receive the grace of God, as any other human child. "Luke 2:40 --- the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." However, even as a boy, he remembered that he was after the business God, but he called God as his Father. "Luke 2:49 -- he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" He was not born from God, but Jesus followed the leading of the Holy Spirit and became the Son of God. "Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Even in the young age, he purposed to be in the business of God the Father.
God can do anything since he has awesome powers of omnipotence, omnipresence and omniscience. Since Jesus was a flesh man, he had no power with him. If it is so, how did he do miracles, healings, raising the dead, casting the devil, etc? He confessed that he could not do any supernatural works by himself, but 'God the Father' does the works and shows to Jesus so that he might do the same for the people to see. "John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 20 For the Father loveth the Son and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these that ye may marvel." His disciples and other workers have done such miracles with the gifts and power of God. Further, even false prophets will be doing miracle to deceive believers. Hence, doing miracles is not the proof that the person is God.
God 'the Word' became a mortal man to die for the world as the Lamb of God. Isaiah prophesied that he was a man of sorrows. "Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him;"
God became a humble person, who is less than an angel, in order to die, for the sins of the world. "Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death-." If God has become a person who was even less than the status of an angel with the purpose to die, then the argument, which says that he has kept the status of God with him to become a God Man, is not valid.
As 'God the Word,' he said to prepare a body so that he may come to do the will of God. "Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God." However, being a man he staggered to go through it. He wished, if possible, to remove the cup. He needed the support of his disciples. We could see in him the agony of him, who was just a man. "Matt 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Nevertheless, he submitted himself totally to the will of God.
'God the Word' was equal in status with 'God the most high.' When he became a man, he voluntarily put aside the equal status with God. As a man, he became a servant of God and obeyed him unto the death of the cross. "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: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
God the Father says that his righteous servant will justify many. Justify means, to make a person just, which is righteous. "Is 53:11 ---by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities." Acquittal from a criminal offence will not make a criminal a just person. Justify means to make a person righteous and to declare him as righteous. Jesus, the righteous servant of God, will justify many. That is, he will save his people from their sins, not by only forgiving their sins but by converting them also to righteousness. He will declare them as righteous people. This is how he justifies many.
The servant of God, Jesus of Nazareth, came to the temple of God. He said that the house of God, which should be the house of prayer, has become a den of thieves. He accused the temple merchants as thieves and reviled at them. 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. He is the pattern of a true servant of God. He was not the servant of the temple government. "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 But 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, ---."
In spite of his sufferings, he has accomplished his mission. "Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings."
As a man, he remembered where he came from and what his mission was. "John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." Since Jesus pleased the Father, 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 --- I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love." He obeyed in water baptism. "Matt 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: -- 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Since Jesus of Nazareth spoke the true word of God and ‘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 has received the grace of God from God the Father. "Luke 2:40 -- the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."
Jesus came as the Lamb of God. "John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Jesus lived a perfect holy life in order to be the sacrificial Lamb of God without blemish and without spot. "1Pet 1:18 --- ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." He died on the cross for the sins of the whole world. "1John 2:2 --- is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." This supreme sacrifice will forgive the past sins of his people. "Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,--"
Jesus lived a perfect and holy life as an example so that the people may follow his steps. If he had lived in the power of God without sin, it would not have been a big deal because God cannot commit sin. As a man, he did not commit sin, which is an example for men/women to see and 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 his Spirit, the awesome Omni-power, when he became flesh, a humble person. He lived a holy life as a humble person, 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 did not preach how to receive healing and miracles but he healed the sick, cast out demons and did miracles. He did not advertise how he was going to heal the sick, how he will cast out demons or how he will do miracles, but he preached the gospel. The gospel that Jesus Christ preached is still the true gospel and all the rest are false gospels. "Matt 4:23 -- Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people."
Jesus Christ preached his gospel with authority and did the work of God with the power of God. His disciples will continue to preach his gospel and do the same work with the power of God. "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. John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."
His disciples preached the same gospel as Jesus Christ preached, healed the sick and cast out the devils as their master did. "Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 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."
After his resurrection, Jesus Christ told his disciples to teach the nations to do all the things that he has commanded them to do, which is to preach the gospel. "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 only his disciples, who received his commandments, to preach his gospel. He did not tell all those who were benefited by his works.
Before his ascension, he told his disciples to tarry for the Holy Spirit and said that they will receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon them. "Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." By the power of the Holy Spirit, by the grace of God the Son and by the abiding of God the Father, the true disciples of God will carry on the ministry until the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. 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:"
God calls every one of us to follow him in the manner of his holy life. If you follow him, you will overcome as he overcame. "1Peter 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. "2Tim 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. We will also be joint-heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ. "2Tim 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 man/woman. God want men/women to live in obedience to him that is to live a holy life. God will glorify these holy people as sons of God. The sons of God will inherit the eternal Kingdom. God has decided to show them the way to live a holy life. In order to show the way to men/women God became a man. As a man, he showed them the way. This is grace that God became a man to make a man the son of God. "2Cor 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."
God bless you.