CTG 0026

God sent his Son 

When we read the Bible the most important thing for us to understand is what it says about Jesus. Especially: 

   - Who he is. 

   - What he says. 

   - What he's done. 

   - And what he continues to do. 

Everything else that we read in the Old and New Testaments helps us to understand the reason why and the purpose for which God sent his Son into the world. 

INCARNATE 

The declaration that "God sent his only Son into the world (1 John 4:9 ESV)" is very instructive, especially when we compare these words with similar biblical statements. 

He existed before he was born in Bethlehem. Eternally he has always been one with God. And when the appointed time came, his Father dispatched him from heaven to be born and live on earth, so that he could fulfil his mission. Motivated by love, for each other and for the world they created, obediently he came. 

When the Holy Spirit caused Jesus to be miraculously conceived in the virgin's womb, Mary became pregnant with the incarnate Son of God. 

Uniquely, he is human and God. "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14 NIV, see verses 1-18)." 

BELIEVE 

The words of Jesus to his own Jewish people reveal how important it is for all of us to believe that he is who he says he is: "... unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins (John 8:32 NET)." 

Understanding the implications of his teaching they wanted to kill him (John 8:57-59). And when he was finally condemned to death by their leaders the charge against him was blasphemy (Matthew 26:62-68). Motivated by jealously, hatred and devilish ambition they handed him over to the Roman authorities to be crucified. All this, however, was according to the "predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God (Acts 2:22-24 NET)." In this way the overriding purpose for which he sent his Son into the world was fulfilled. He "sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10 ESV)." See John 3:14-18, Romans 3:9-31, Romans 5:8 and 1 John 4:14. 

In Christ God has provided the way by which his just wrath has been turned away from every sinner who repents and believes in Jesus, because Jesus took the punishment for our sinful rebellion in our place. Dying and rising again, he was totally victorious over sin, death and the devil, reconciling us to God. See John 3:35-36, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, 1 Timothy 4:10, 1 John 2:2 and 1 John 3:8.

And by the grace of God we who believe have not only been justified by faith and forgiven. Amazingly, also by faith in Christ we, both Jewish and Gentile believers together, have been adopted as sons and daughters of the living God. See Galatians 3:24-29, Galatians 4:4-6 and Hebrews 2:9-18.

MISSION 

We are God’s children now. Jesus is and will remain unique and will be forever worthy of our worship. He is God, together with his Father and the Holy Spirit. In other respects the Bible teaches us that we will be like him when he returns. And currently we are already in transition of becoming more like him. This is the goal of discipleship. 

The holy love that we have for each other helps those who are not yet Christians to see that we are followers of Christ. And this will give credence to our witness for him and to the mission of spreading the gospel. See John 13:34-35, John 20:21, 2 Corinthians 3:1-18, 1 John 3:1-3 and Revelation 5:9-14. 

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FOR FURTHER READING:

Matthew 1:18-25 

Matthew 10:24-25 

Matthew 16:15-17 

Mark 1:17 

Luke 1:1-2:40 

John 10:1-39 

Philippians 2:1-11 

Hebrews 1:1-14 

Hebrews 10:1-18 

1 John 4:7-16

1 Peter 1:17-21 

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