Attributes of God – Part 2: God is Jesus Christ
his attribute requires a much deeper understanding of scripture and help from God’s spirit to reveal the meaning and truth (Jesus Christ) to us. "Without question, the mystery of godliness is great: he was revealed as a human, declared righteous by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached throughout the nations, believed in around the world, and taken up in glory" (1 Timothy 3:16).
Furthermore, God functions in many ways we just cannot fully comprehend, however, He reveals so much about Himself through Jesus Christ.
“We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:6-8).
God’s Manifestation
First, in Part 1, we learnt that God is spirit in nature, but a divine Holy Spirit. We learnt that God also lives in us (1 Corinthians 3:16) when we accept Christ. The book of John beautifully explains this to us:
- 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
- 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John: 1-14).
Therefore, God, the Word manifested into flesh, Jesus Christ. This was not understood or even accepted then and even to this day by many. The scriptures tell us though:
“But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away” (2 Corinthians 3:14-16).
Jesus Christ is God’s Visible Expression
Apostle Paul explained that Jesus was actually God, look at these two verses:
- Now Christ is the visible expression of the invisible God. He existed before creation began, for it was through him that every thing was made, whether spiritual or material, seen or unseen (Colossians 1:15-20).
Watch this:
- “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-11)
Old Testament Christ Affirmation
- For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
The LORD (Yahweh) speaks and says,
- “they will look on Me whom they have pierced (Zechariah 12:10).
New Testament Christ Affirmation
Who did Jesus Christ say he was?
- “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”
- Jesus answered them, “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30-33).
- Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58).
- And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)
- (Jesus is the Redeemer) - “To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1).
- And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory (1Timothy 3:16).
Key Takeaways:
Understand, Overstand and Innerstand
Jesus Christ is the visible expression of the invisible God. Here is another clear example:
- Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work (John 14:8-10).
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