Jesus is not a God or like God... He IS God.
Read / Listen
Read John 1:1-18
Listen to passage & devotional:
Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 33
Q. Why is he called God’s “only begotten Son”
when we also are God’s children?
A. Because Christ alone is the eternal, natural Son of God.
We, however, are adopted children of God—
adopted by grace through Christ.
Summary
The gospel of John begins differently than the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Matthew gives us the genealogy of Jesus. Mark begins with a prophecy of Isaiah, and then writes about John the Baptist. Luke, after briefly introducing his purpose, also begins by writing about John the Baptist.
John’s introduction is a theological statement about who Jesus is. Before he gets into the life of Jesus, John very clearly states that Jesus is God. John is setting the tone for the rest of his gospel, leaving no doubt that Jesus is God, even though some rejected him as such.
John’s prologue (John 1:1-18), builds on the very first statement of Jesus being the Word, speaking of his presence and action during creation, his incarnation as the Christ (Jesus becoming flesh), and concluding by acknowledging Jesus’ knowledge of God because he is God.
Dig Deeper
During some of our earlier devotions, we looked at the importance of Jesus’ divinity. Without being God, Jesus could not bear the weight of God’s wrath for our sin.
The catechism is now teaching on the Apostles’ Creed, and so it is once again it reminds us of the divinity of Jesus; Jesus is God, just as the Father is God, just as the Holy Spirit is God. We must not think that Jesus was created by God, or is somehow lesser than God. He has always existed, that is why John says, “In the beginning was the Word.”
One of the differences between Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons and Christians is our understanding of Jesus. Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons believe that Jesus was created by God. They believe he was the first created being, and held an exalted position. But as we read John 1:3, we know that cannot be true. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. How could Jesus be a created being when all things were made through him and for him?
Jesus is the eternal Word, made flesh. He has always existed, and will always exist. He was present during creation and active in it; through him all things were made. Jesus Christ is the eternal, natural Son of God.
If you believe he is anything less than that, he cannot save you from our sins. You must believe Jesus is who the Bible says he is. Jesus is God.
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Jesus, you are the eternal Word; you are God.
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that although the world doesn't recognize Jesus that you will and that you will live accordingly (v10-12)
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - Galatians 4
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