Is Jesus Truly God

 

Is Jesus God or Not

Let’s start with this statement Jesus made at the end of his visitation. John 17:4-5 ^“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. ⁵ And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” So let’s take a look at what happened in the beginning that somehow lessened Jesus’ glory.

The Bible states that John 1:3 ("All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made") and Colossians 1:16 ("For by him all things were created... all things were created through him and for him"). So at this point Jesus obviously shares the glory of God. This is a huge hiccup for the nontrinitarians.

Now let’s consider what could have caused the loss of that glory. Let's go back to the beginning. In the garden the serpent, who is the devil, asked Eve if God had said they could eat of the fruit of the garden. Eve replied that they could eat of the fruit of the garden except “Do not touch the fruit of the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil,” for which Satan replied, "You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. Thus, calling God a liar. Then he continued his lie with “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Now when you call a person a liar, you are attacking their character. It does not assign motive, nor does it question your knowledge, only your character. So keeping that in mind, let’s consider what that has to do with Jesus. Now the Father knows all and sees all and, as such, has all authority. In other words He makes all the decisions. The Spirit consists of these: the Spirit of the Lord and the Spirits of wisdom, of understanding, of counsel, of might, of knowledge, and of fear of the LORD. Here are represented the seven Spirits, which are before the throne of God. A spirit is a motive or influencer; they only assist with the authority to make decisions. It is the character of a person that actually carries out the orders of the authority. Thus, the lie was perpetrated at the very character of God. That character is the same Jesus that was born of man (and yet was God) who was tempted in the wilderness and suffered unimaginable suffering on the Cross (even though a simple little lie could have saved Him). And He did it so that you and I could have fellowship with Him in eternity.

Now the fact is we are all trinities. We all have brains that tell our bodies what to do. And we all have motives that influence our actions. What we actually do is decided by our character. And rarely do the three agree on anything. But with God all three agree all the time; thus, the three are ONE.

This also explains why Jesus said, "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”

Jesus refers to Himself as the Son to show us that the sons are subject to their fathers. Now in this life, although we are supposed to be subject to our fathers, our fathers are not God but human, and as sons, we are as well. We are not perfect; no one is except Jesus, Who always does His Father's will.

"I do always those things that please him" (John 8:29).

"I do exactly as the Father commanded Me" (John 14:31).

"I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me" (John 6:38).

Everything said here has been backed up with Bible verses. If you still do not know Jesus is God, it is to your own detriment.

Honoring Authority:

*** Honoring Authority: A Biblical Perspective for Christians in Modern Society

Should a Christian honor authority if they do not agree with the actions of that authority? The answer is a resounding YES. Paul states clearly that all authority comes from God, and as such, we must honor that authority, and by doing so, we honor God's authority. Those who justify breaking the law because they do not agree with that law have in reality become lawbreakers and are subject to the punishment imposed on them by those in authority. As President of the United States, Donald Trump is in charge of enforcing the laws of our great nation. Those whom he authorizes to carry out that enforcement also have a duty to enforce these laws. When a person interferes with that enforcement, they are themselves lawbreakers and responsible for any counteractions law enforcement needs to make to carry out their orders.      

In an age of passionate political discourse and often polarized views, Christians are called to navigate their civic responsibilities with wisdom and grace. A foundational text guiding many believers on this matter is Romans 13:1-7, a passage that addresses the Christian's relationship to governing authorities. This scripture prompts us to consider how our faith informs our conduct, particularly concerning those in power and the institutions that uphold order.

The Apostle Paul, writing to believers in Rome, states unequivocally, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God" (Romans 13:1). This declaration sets a profound theological framework: all legitimate authority, regardless of its specific form or the character of its individual officeholders, is ultimately ordained by divine providence. This doesn't imply approval of every action taken by every leader, but rather an acknowledgment of the office itself as part of God's design for societal order.

There was a lot of corruption in the Roman Empire during Paul's time, so it stands to reason that Paul was aware of the corruption at the time. Many people consider that there is major corruption in our government today on both sides of the aisle, and I am sure there is, but breaking the law is not going to fix it. We need to fix it with our votes.

For Christians, this understanding has significant implications for how we engage with leaders, even those with whom we strongly disagree. Disrespecting the office, or the person holding it, can be seen as indirectly resisting an order established by God. While we are free to voice concerns, advocate for change, and even oppose specific policies through lawful means, the spirit in which we do so matters. The call is for subjection and respect, understanding that God has placed these authorities for our good, even when that good is not immediately apparent.

Furthermore, Paul extends this principle to all who exercise authority to maintain order and justice. "For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil" (Romans 13:4). This applies directly to law enforcement and other civil servants. Police officers, for instance, are entrusted with maintaining peace and safety, and their role is described as a "minister of God." For a Christian, disrespect for these authorities, simply because of their position or the uniform they wear, goes against the spirit of this biblical instruction. It calls us to respect the role, even while seeking accountability for individuals who may misuse their power.

The passage concludes with practical guidance: "Therefore, you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. Because of this, you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, and honor to whom honor" (Romans 13:5-7). This isn't just about avoiding punishment; it's about a conviction of conscience that recognizes God's hand in establishing civil structures. It encourages us to be exemplary citizens, honoring those in authority through our words, attitudes, and actions and fulfilling our obligations, like paying taxes.

In a world where disrespect for authority figures is increasingly common, Romans 13:1-7 serves as a powerful reminder for Christians. It challenges us to rise above the fray, demonstrating a biblical reverence for the offices of leadership and law enforcement and trusting in God's ultimate sovereignty over all earthly powers. This stance is not one of passive acceptance of wrongdoing but one rooted in faith, seeking to honor God by honoring the order He has established.