Post by foxjj on Feb 13, 2023 8:14:45 GMT
The Unique Gospel Of Jesus.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is unique among all the religions/spiritual teachings of the world. It’s message is both urgent and life changing, revealing how God came among us in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Because of their personal encounter with Jesus, each of the Gospel, and Epistle writers had their life changed. Thereafter, they dedicated their lives to sharing the Gospel message of Redemption, desiring it to be spread around the world.
The Apostle John wrote his eyewitness account of the life of Jesus where he quoted Jesus announcing: "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24) These words spoken by Jesus, are promises not only for this life, but also for the next life. As followers of Jesus, we know that we were all at one time spiritually dead, not aware of our need for spiritual life. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
The majority of people around the world think of Jesus as a wise teacher remembered for the golden rule: "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." However, the Bible portrays a far more important Jesus. In his gospel, while referred to Jesus as The Word of God, John described Him as both Creator, and one with The Father: “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 was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:1-4)
Jesus made this exclusive claim: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) He also proclaimed: "The Father and I are one."(v 30) When reading The New Testament a person can clearly see how the many miracles of Jesus attest to His unique ministry, and personhood. Who but God can give sight to a person born blind, or have the authority to forgive sins? Who but God can raise the dead, or, after three days himself rise from the dead? This is the Jesus who invited: “Come onto me.”
As an example of changed lives, Saul of Tarsus was an enemy of the early Church until he had an experience of Jesus while on his way to arrest believers in Damascus. After his unique conversion, he became known as Paul who, because of his own experience, understood God’s desire for all people to have a saving knowledge of redemption through the Sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus. Consequently, when writing to Timothy, he encouraged prayers of petition and intercession be offered for all people:
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:1-6 NIV)
According to the Gospel, the reason that Our Heavenly Father sent Jesus into the world was: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) These words concerning Jesus are among the best known, and best loved in The Bible. One could say that this verse proclaims the uniqueness of The Gospel message in a nutshell. Consequently, “- these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31)
Today, let us give thanks for our knowledge of The Gospel message.
John Joseph Fox.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is unique among all the religions/spiritual teachings of the world. It’s message is both urgent and life changing, revealing how God came among us in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Because of their personal encounter with Jesus, each of the Gospel, and Epistle writers had their life changed. Thereafter, they dedicated their lives to sharing the Gospel message of Redemption, desiring it to be spread around the world.
The Apostle John wrote his eyewitness account of the life of Jesus where he quoted Jesus announcing: "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24) These words spoken by Jesus, are promises not only for this life, but also for the next life. As followers of Jesus, we know that we were all at one time spiritually dead, not aware of our need for spiritual life. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
The majority of people around the world think of Jesus as a wise teacher remembered for the golden rule: "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." However, the Bible portrays a far more important Jesus. In his gospel, while referred to Jesus as The Word of God, John described Him as both Creator, and one with The Father: “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 was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:1-4)
Jesus made this exclusive claim: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) He also proclaimed: "The Father and I are one."(v 30) When reading The New Testament a person can clearly see how the many miracles of Jesus attest to His unique ministry, and personhood. Who but God can give sight to a person born blind, or have the authority to forgive sins? Who but God can raise the dead, or, after three days himself rise from the dead? This is the Jesus who invited: “Come onto me.”
As an example of changed lives, Saul of Tarsus was an enemy of the early Church until he had an experience of Jesus while on his way to arrest believers in Damascus. After his unique conversion, he became known as Paul who, because of his own experience, understood God’s desire for all people to have a saving knowledge of redemption through the Sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus. Consequently, when writing to Timothy, he encouraged prayers of petition and intercession be offered for all people:
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:1-6 NIV)
According to the Gospel, the reason that Our Heavenly Father sent Jesus into the world was: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) These words concerning Jesus are among the best known, and best loved in The Bible. One could say that this verse proclaims the uniqueness of The Gospel message in a nutshell. Consequently, “- these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31)
Today, let us give thanks for our knowledge of The Gospel message.
John Joseph Fox.
