Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
8 “Never forget that Jesus Christ was a man born into King David’s family and that He was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. 9 And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the Word of GOD cannot be chained. 10 I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those GOD has chosen.” ~ 2 Timothy 2:8-10
False teachers were a problem in Ephesus. – 29 “I know full well that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some of you will distort the truth in order to draw a following.” – Acts 20:29-30 – At the heart of false teaching is an incorrect view of Christ. In Timothy’s day many asserted that Christ was divine but not human – GOD but not man. Today we often hear that Jesus was human but not divine – man but not GOD. Either view destroys the Good News that Jesus Christ has taken our sins on Himself and has reconciled us to GOD. In this passage Paul firmly states that Jesus is fully man – “born into King David’s family” – and fully GOD – “raised from the dead”. This is a very important doctrine for all Christians. The Incarnation was the act of the pre-existent Son of GOD voluntarily assuming a human body and human nature. Without ceasing to be GOD, He became a human being, the man called Jesus. He did not give up His deity to become human, but He set aside the right to His glory and power. In submission to the Father’s will, Christ limited His power and knowledge. Jesus of Nazareth was subject to place, time, and many other human limitations. What made His humanity unique was His freedom from sin. In His full humanity, Jesus showed us everything about GOD’s character that can be conveyed in human terms.
Paul was in chains in prison because of the Good News he preached. The truth about Jesus is no more popular in our day than it was in Paul’s – but – it still reaches receptive hearts. When Paul said that Jesus was GOD, he angered the Jews who had condemned Jesus for blasphemy – but – many Jews still became followers of Christ. – “But to those called by GOD to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the mighty power of GOD and the wonderful wisdom of GOD.” – 1 Corinthians 1:24 – Paul angered the Romans who worshiped the emperor as god; but even some in Caesar’s household turned to Jesus. “And all the other Christians send their greetings, too, especially those who work in Caesar’s palace.” – Philippians 4:22 – When Paul said Jesus was human, he angered the Greeks, who thought divinity was soiled if it had any contact with humanity; still many Greeks accepted the faith. – 20 “However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. 21 The power of the Lord was upon them, and large numbers of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.” – Acts 11:20-21 – The truth that Jesus is one person with two united natures has never been easy to understand, but it is being believed by people every day. Despite the opposition, continue to proclaim Christ. Some will listen and believe.
Father GOD, we proclaim that Jesus is fully man, born into King David’s family, and fully GOD, raised from the dead. We believe this because it is an important truth for all Christians. We believe that to those of us called to salvation, Christ is the mighty power of GOD and the wonderful wisdom of GOD. Despite the opposition, we will continue to proclaim Christ, because some will listen and believe.
Photo: Flamingo Resort (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
