In part 1, we covered the notion of first accepting God’s actual existence, and in turn, by accepting His actuality, He then becomes the sense of our own existence.
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If you do not accept the existence of God, then it is impossible for Him to have a Son, who was the “image of his person”. Thus, it becomes difficult to move forward in a relationship with Jesus if you do not have an understanding and living relationship with God. I think it is safe to ponder on the idea that our faith is based entirely on how we answer these two questions- Does God exist, and who is Jesus? If you believe in God, then you know that Jesus is God. He was “fully God, fully Man” (John 1: 1-3, 14). I think often times as religious seekers, our hold up is not necessarily does God exist- because like I said previously, it is not surprising that most bare mind to God. But rather, there is a vast difference between having a vague idea that there is a higher power somewhere, and actually being certain of what He offers in return through the perfect sacrifice, Jesus.
First, I want to say, you are not alone in this complex and bottomless debate. Indeed, the most interesting fact, none of Jesus’s greatest disciples believed in the beginning of who He was, and who He claimed to be. In fact, account after account in proof of his essence in God they still managed to question Jesus. It just did not make sense, who was this person? Do you blame them? How could it possibly stand true, a sinless man, fully God and fully human. Could you imagine in modern day if we experienced something of the sort and taking witness to the miracles performed, the prophecies completed, a sinless human who experienced temptations in the same form as you and I? We would probably check ourselves into an insane asylum! Or at least drink a glass of wine for peeps sake!
But the truth is, Jesus is God- the second being of the holy Trinity, who took on human flesh to atone for mans’ sins. God in the flesh, living in moral perfection, thus resulting in a perfect sacrifice on the cross. For thousands of years, God used His word and spirit to guide his people, however, failure after failure, He presented himself to be the ultimate sacrifice in and through Jesus, the Son of God – rather powerful if you ask me!
There is biblical witness to this truth. All throughout the bible it speaks of the coming and the presence of God in Man on earth. In the beginning there was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God….The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1: 1, 14). So how can we make sense out of so many things that are diverse? Especially in our own personal day to day, let alone everything around us? Science tells us that in order to have knowledge, there has to be coherence, some kind of order to things. This means that there must be something that gives unity to all the diversity that we experience. In fact, the very word universe combines the concepts of unity and diversity- a place of great diversity that nonetheless has unity. Greek philosophers for decades, even possibly centuries, have tried to challenge, dispute, and fine a “basic” source of both, and they have yet to succeed- not even come close other than in theory. But, in Christianity, diversity finds its ultimate unity in God himself. In God himself we find both diversity and unity- we find one being in three entities- the Trinity.
Thus our God, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit- are unity. They are the diversity and unity of our universe!
I think gaining a true faith is not always due to God suddenly giving you some kind of spiritual open-heart surgery. In fact, I think he intends for us to explore His word, to know Him, to know Jesus, to embrace the Holy Spirit. Gods loves the man who is genuine in his search, in whom the “within” and the “without” are really one, whose dominant conviction is, “God you see me”. That thought alone is so beautiful to me. He is the diversity, the unity, the all-seeing, and all-knowing God. By accepting Jesus, you are accepting God, because to know Jesus is to know God. When Jesus declared “I am the way, it is finished”, I believe he meant it.
God is intentional, He knew what he was doing in and through Christ. In the Bible, Apostle Paul came to a town called Berea, which is now located in Northern Greece, however, when he went to this town he preached the word of God the people did not just accept Paul’s statement for face value, the idea that “because he said it, it must be true”. “They received the word (of God, not Paul) with all readiness, and searched the scriptures daily to find out whether these things were true. Therefore, many of them believed” (Acts 17: 11-12). Their belief was due to their own open-mindedness- their regular (daily) and systematic search of understanding.
That is what I encourage you to do. Explore and search for answers!! Invite Jesus into your life, because Jesus is the only way to truly know God. The “new age” idea of spiritualism claims to bring forth enlightenment through God, however, if you believe in God, then you must surely believe that the word of God takes precedence over any idea that man has formulated. Furthermore, if you love God, then you must surely love Jesus, because he was the “image of his person”.
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It is said that Jesus reveals God directly:
“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14: 9)
“Jesus is the savior of humanity (Matt. 1:21, Acts 4: 12, Luke 2: 11).
So wonderful, such a beautiful truth.
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I understand that herein lies a lot of debate. In fact, it is the number one conversation I have with the Mormon missionaries who are my neighbors, and will stop to discuss a topic or two, and let me tell you, they are on fire. (Anyone who follows my Facebook and Instagram knows that I love those two younger gentlemen). But, we have a set of different beliefs and as a result, it becomes a topic of discussion quite often. So while many of us think that these conversations should be avoided is the same manner as with politics, etc. I say use the intellectualism that was given to you. Engage in these ideas, study and explore the truth without argument, and allow it to embrace you and move you in a way that God intended. Because I stand convicted that life has purpose. I cannot imagine all of this is for nothing. Yikes. To finish this topic, many people think that they need to change before they get to know Jesus, but in fact it is the complete opposite, change occurs when you KNOW Jesus- that is truth in itself, and I can attest.
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So use those beautiful minds, open up those hearts, and let Jesus come in and dwell within that residing place that we spoke of in Part 1- your soul. Such a phenomenon that cannot be explained and I think there is a reason for that- it is where God dwells.
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Always sending my Love,
Cindi
