8/2/10

"I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." [1 Tim 1:12-14]

There's a lot here. This is about as far as I've memorized at this point (and the last few verses are still shakey). But let's talk about Jesus.
JESUS:
*Gives strength
*Is Lord
*Judges people's hearts
*Enlists people in his service
*Has opponents
*Gives grace, even to his enemies
*Is the source of faith
*Is the source of love

Jesus never said "I am God." That's a verse that is nowhere in the bible. Everyone else said it, though. I mean, these three verses are dead clear. I think it's because of what he said to us - that the one who humbles himself will be exalted. Jesus doesn't need to say that he is God, because God has no need to assert His own identity. Whether we believe it or not has zero bearing on whether or not it is true. So he doesn't try to convince us, or argue it, or even really answer the question because he doesn't answer to us either. He just is, and lives it as an example, and lets us either choose to follow and believe or not. I'd probably trust that more than a guy going around demanding that he WAS God. It's a good example for us. Am I a hard worker? A devoted husband? I faithful Christian? I don't need to declare any of these things about myself. I need to be them, and let other people lift me up as the Lord leads.

- J