My Apologies To The Christian Post Blogging Community

Dienstag, 19. Juni 2012

My Apologies To The Christian Post Blogging Community

Jesus Really Had “Skin” on Him

© 2012 Ron Habermas, Ph.D. Blog #5 (6.18.12)
Blog #4 analyzed the concept that, when we carefully study the Bible, there is a good chance we will find that we must modify the childhood notions we held about Jesus’ humanity. Some changes will add traits to our Lord—making Him “more,” while other changes will subtract from what we earlier believed—making Him “less” than His previous Person. Blog #4 also cited a few examples of what may become ‘more’ about Jesus, including: that He became surprised; that He sang hymns; and that He deliberately wanted to be left alone.

How Jesus Can Also Become “Less”
We all know that the Incarnation necessarily limited certain divine traits of the Messiah. When He chose to become a human being, Jesus volunteered to place three divine qualities “on a shelf,” so to speak. This thirty-three-year commitment does not, in any way, compromise the nature of His deity. It simply means Jesus freely chose not to exercise His powers independently. He was always God—before, during, and after the Incarnation. He deliberately chose not to act separately from the Father’s plan while He lived on earth (see Jo. 10:17-18).
For example, Jesus intentionally gave up the privilege of omnipresence (being in every location at one time). The Bible also records that Jesus voluntarily laid aside His right to exercise omniscience, so He grew in knowledge as every healthy person does (see Jo. 15:15b). Lastly Jesus chose to not independently use His divine omnipotence (all-power); this is clear when He details the process of His choice to trust God in Matthew 26:47-56.
If we go too far, however (like taking traits from Him that Scripture shows He has), nobody wins. Furthermore, we are left with an inferior Jesus.
Even more sad news: Over the years I have found that these same traits we ignore in Jesus’ humanity tend to be part of the exact issues we struggle with ourselves. Why? Because we have shut down our best Source—the One Who is not only able, but willing, to help us.

A Word of Caution
Identity theft (as discussed in Blog #4) is a serious, worldwide concern. And it is not getting better with time. The same is true of the Church’s universal misunderstanding of Jesus’ human identity.
Unless we come to grips with what the Bible says about Who He really is (and Who He is not), we will be haunted by five serious consequences:
We will continue to be spiritually weak from inaccurate knowledge about Scripture’s Center, Jesus Christ. Other Bible truths will also be distorted from this core error; Our target of Christ-likeness will naturally be skewed and misleading; We will be left with an errant, dishonoring picture of the human Jesus; Since Jesus became like us, we will necessarily hold an errant, dishonoring view of ourselves (as well as all people); and We will develop additional weaknesses in our lives wherever we fail to apply Jesus’ Biblical Example to our lives (e.g., If we do not apply the Word that says Jesus was “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet without sin” [Heb. 4:15], then we will greatly diminish His unbelievable power to now serve us as our sympathetic and faithful High Priest).
The collective losses from these five consequences would be considerable. Are we willing to 'pay' for these multiple damages that we will incur?

Conclusion
Mom knew tonight would be no exception, because young Jessica always had trouble falling asleep. But tonight was especially tough. After Mom had patiently logged two more stories and three more choruses than the average night, she eventually descended the stairs, exhausted. As she was sitting down to read the day’s paper, she heard the quick-paced sound of four-year old footsteps on the hardwood floor above her.
Then—silence, as Jessica stood at the top of the stairs.
“Go to bed, Jessica!” Mom’s perfunctory command came without lowering the paper.
“But, Mom, I’m scared of the dark!” the requisite pattern continued.
“Jesus is with you, Jessica! You don’t need to be afraid!” Mom firmly replied.
More silence. Eventually the pitter-patter sound receded. Squeaks from the mattress and box springs would cause most inexperienced ears to think the child’s fearful struggle had ended for this evening.
Mom knew better. More quick-paced footsteps. More silence at the top of the staircase. A small yet clear voice broke the silence: “Mom, can you send Dad up? I need someone with skin on them.”
Jessica is more like us than we think. She has no problem believing in Jesus—until tough times come. At that point, she swaps her faith in Someone she cannot see for a ‘real’ person “with skin on them.” The sad news, ironically, is that Jesus does have skin. He is closer than our breathing. He promises to never leave us. He offers us a deliberate, holistic Example for entire life.

And He is more than willing to help us in our time of need.

Voice of the Gospel Christian Radio - Radio Stimme des Evangeliums

Dienstag, 19. Juni 2012