Let's Talk About Jesus Christ, the Son of God

By Randy H. Cavender

With few exceptions, Jesus of Nazareth is held in high re­gard. Yet, many have never really done as He exhorted: "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39). The Son of God means a lot of things to a lot of people. What does Christ Jesus mean to you?

He is our only authority (Matt 28:18). God has given His Son all authority in Heaven and on earth. We must respect this authority by abiding within it in all things that we do (Col. 3:17). If one does not abide in the doctrine of Christ, he has neither the Father nor the Son (2 John 9).

Furthermore, Christ is our only source of salvation (Acts 4:10-12). In the New Testament, we find that gospel preachers preached Christ (Acts 8:5, 35). There are several reasons for this: Christ is the only way to the Father (John 14:6), the only one who speaks words of eternal life (John 6:61-69), the only one who can give the abundant life (John 10:10), and the only way one can be forgiven of sins (Eph. 1:7). Without Christ, man would be hopelessly lost (Eph. 2:12). We should be thankful to God for sending His only be­gotten Son to die for us (John 3:16; Rom. 5:6-8).

Christ is our only way to heaven (John 14:3). What a wonderful promise—"that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:3). Christians have the promise of an eternal in­heritance, and this promise was made possible by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:3, 4). There is no other way! If you hope to go to heaven when you die, you must follow Christ!

Finally, when I think of Christ, I think of Him being my judge. God has given Christ the authority to execute judgment on all (John 5:27). The words that Christ has spoken will be the standard that judges my deeds. Moreover, I will be judged no matter what my situation, i.e., whether good or bad (2 Cor. 5:10). Yes each one will stand face to face with Jesus Christ and give an account (Rom. 14:12).

What does Christ mean to you? Will He be your Savior (1 John 4:14) or avenger (2 Thess. 1:7-9)? &

The Christian Life

By Bob Myhan

The word, “new,” is closely associ­ated with Christian discipleship. One must experience a new birth (John 3:3-7), at which time he becomes a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17) with a new name (Isa. 62:2; Acts 11:26), new relationships (Rom. 8:14-16, 29) and new obligations (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 16:2; Col. 3:16; Heb. 10:24,25). As a result, he is expected to live a new life (Rom. 6:3-4). Many things are said, in Scripture, concerning this “new life.”

First, the “Christian life” is a changed life. The Thessalonians had “turned to God from idols” (1 Thess. 1:9a). Of course, there are many kinds of idols: pleasure (1 Cor. 10:7), riches (Col. 3:5), and any­thing else that comes between the indi­vidual and God. In order to live a changed life, one must “put off the old man” and “put on the new” (Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:8-14).

Second, the “Christian life” is a serving life. The Thessalonians had “turned…to serve the living and true God” (1 Thess. 1:9b). Service both to God and man is essential to true greatness (Matt. 20:26-28) and to eternal life (Matt. 25:35-46).

Third, the “Christian life” is a waiting life. The Thessalonians had “turned to God…to wait for his Son from heaven” (1 Thess. 1:10). Jesus will surely come again (John 14:1-3; Acts 1:10-11), but the time of His coming is uncertain (Matt. 24:36). The certainty of the fact and the uncertainty of the time lead the informed and concerned disciple of Christ to live in a constant state of active watchfulness. (Matt. 24:42-44) &