Jesus was God incarnate. That is a truth that many people deny. Many cults claim that Jesus was a prophet or a great teacher, but they do not recognize Him as God the Son, the second Person of the Trinity. Cults, such as Mormonism, claim to follow Jesus, but they deny His deity. Islam recognizes Jesus as a teacher, but they worship a demon god and deny the true God.

Christianity has nothing in common with these religions or any other group that denies the deity of Christ. The Bible is quite clear that only God Almighty is to be worshipped and we are not to have any idol or false god in our life.

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3.

Christians know that Jesus Christ is God the Son and therefore is to be worshipped. It’s through Him, and Him alone, that the free gift of salvation is imparted. Without Him we would be lost and without hope.

Why do people dispute the fact that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh….God incarnate? The biblical evidence of His deity is overwhelming, yet Satan blinds people to truth. One of the arguments these doubters use is they say that Jesus never claimed to be God. That’s not true. Jesus certainly didn’t run around saying, “I’m God, I’m God so bow down and worship Me.” But He did make it clear that He was God in the flesh.

In fact, that claim was why the Pharisees plotted to kill Him. These religious leaders kept a close eye on Jesus. They didn’t like that He seemed to have broken the Law by gleaning food from a field on the Sabbath and healing people on the Sabbath, so they confronted Him.

“But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:17-18).

During another dispute with the Pharisees, Jesus explained to them that they didn’t understand because they weren’t His sheep and nobody could pluck His sheep from His hand, nor from His Father’s hand.
“I and my Father are one” (John 10:30).

You may not understand that Jesus was claiming to be God, but the Pharisees did.

“Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God” (John 10:32-33).

These are just a couple of instances that Jesus asserted that He was God. If you are unwilling to accept that He is God, then in His own words:

“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24).

The word “he” is not in the original transcript but was inserted by translators. What Jesus actually said is this: “If you don’t believe that I am you shall die in your sins.”

I AM, of course, is God who spoke to Moses from the burning bush.

The Pharisees should have been well aware of the fact that Jesus was the Messiah, and therefore God in the flesh. Prophecy foretold that the Messiah would be born of a virgin, which He was.

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

Matthew records the events surrounding the angel talking with Joseph and confirming that Mary was indeed a virgin but would give birth to the Messiah.

“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” ( Matthew 1:22-23).
The prophet Isaiah also wrote of the Messiah saying:

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

“The mighty God?” This prophecy of the coming Messiah was about Jesus, who is indeed “The mighty God.” In fact, Jesus fulfilled hundreds of prophecies which foretold of His birth, life, and death. Only someone blinded by Satan would not be able to understand the fact that Jesus was God incarnate. That is true of the Pharisees and also true of people today who deny the deity of Christ.

Only God can forgive sin, yet Jesus did just that. Mark wrote about an incident when Jesus was in Capernaum and many people who just wanted to hear His words filled a house. Four men had a friend who was unable to walk and they knew Jesus could heal him.

There is much speculation as to why this man was paralyzed, but it seems as if the paralysis had been caused by sin. His friends lowered the man and his bed down through the roof in order to bring Him before Jesus.

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee” (Mark 2:5).

This upset the scribes who were among the crowd:

“Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?” (Mark 2:7).

It was always the religious leaders who were vocal about doubt. They knew only God could forgive sin and accused Jesus of blasphemy, but were blind to the fact that He was God. Jesus knew what they were thinking and confronted them.

“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house” (Mark 2:10-11).

This is just one incident where He forgave sin, but it is evidence that He is God. He still forgives sin today, and if you ask He will forgive you.

Only God forgives sin and only God is to be worshipped, and Jesus did allow Himself to be worshipped. One interesting account of Jesus accepting worship is found in John chapter 9. One Sabbath Jesus healed a blind beggar who was subsequently interrogated by the Pharisees. The once blind man stood firm against the Pharisees in regards to his healing. Ultimately they cast him out of the Temple. Later he encountered Jesus again and they had an enlightening conversation.

“Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him” (John 9:35-38).

Jesus wouldn’t have allowed Himself to be worshipped unless He was God.

“And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind” (John 9:39).

He was not speaking of physical sight and blindness, but spiritual. The man who had been physically blind saw much more than the Pharisees who had physical sight. The blind man had his eyes opened and worshipped Jesus who was God in the flesh. One of the strongest declarations of worship came from Thomas, a disciple who doubted many things but knew Jesus well.

Thomas hadn’t been with the others after the Resurrection when Jesus came to them in a locked room, but a week later he was with them when Christ once again made an appearance. All doubt left his mind and he worshipped the risen Christ.

“And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou has seen me, thou has believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:28-29).

Christ is worthy of worship, honor, and praise. Don’t be a doubting Thomas. Worship Christ and be blessed.

God is eternal. He had no beginning and has no end. John began his gospel with the fact that Jesus, the Word, always existed.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” ( John 1:1).

John was one of the first to follow Jesus and knew Him well. He saw miraculous things and marveled. He saw the transfiguration and heard God the Father declare that Jesus was His son. John was an eyewitness and we can believe it when he says that Jesus, the Word, was God.

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Jesus is God and the Creator of all things.

“In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

Evolutionists deny God by denying His work of creation. Christians need to believe truth, not satanic deceptions.

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:8-10).

Don’t be led astray by people who are deceived. Jesus is the Creator. Jesus is the Word made flesh. Jesus is God.

People have always looked for God, but most people are really looking for a little “g” god instead of God Almighty. King David defined a fool as one who says there is no God.

“[To the chief Musician, a Psalm of David]. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good” (Psalm 14:1).

It’s easy to justify sin or make up rules of right and wrong if there is no God. These fools who say there is no God do abominable things as evidenced in news headlines. The majority of today’s society seem to have conveniently come up with a god who has no rules or basis of morality.

It’s easy to invent a god who says it’s okay to participate in whatever sin you enjoy, but that god is Satan, not God Almighty. The Bible was penned by men, but is inspired by God and is our guide in morality and doctrine. If you reject Jesus and make up your own rules then you will be following Satan and he will lead you to eternal damnation.

It isn’t enough to believe that Jesus was an historical figure. Jesus is God and you have to believe that in order to obtain salvation. He shed His blood for the forgiveness of sin; no human blood could accomplish that. If you deny His deity then you believe that the blood of a mere human can save you and you’re deceived and lost.

It was God’s pure blood that was shed on the cross and only that blood has the power of salvation. Salvation only comes through Jesus, God incarnate. Peter knew this. In speaking of Jesus he said:
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).

Don’t be deceived. Jesus is God. Believe in Him and live eternally.

God bless you all,
Nathele Graham

This world is very familiar to us with all of its hills, streams, forests, deserts, and more. Though we are familiar with it, for a Christian this world isn’t really our home. Heaven is the eternal home of a Christian and that is where our true home is now.

Most people think heaven is just an extension of this world because we haven’t seen the pearly gates, golden streets, or the precious gems that make up the walls of the New Jerusalem, nor have we stood before the throne of God and felt the pure love that flows from Him.

The truth is, our home in heaven will be very different than anything we can comprehend. The sun and the moon light up our world, but in heaven, Jesus is the Light. On earth we are always at war with our sin nature, but in heaven that war will be over. In heaven, everyone will love our Lord, but that’s not the case in this life.

As we approach the end of days, men’s hearts are growing colder. People seem to be angry for no reason and heinous murders happen daily. Following Jesus also has its risks, such as losing friends or sometimes being imprisoned. Christians must remember that our eternal home is in heaven.

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).

According to Vines Expository Dictionary, the word “conversation” signifies “the condition, or life, of a citizen, citizenship… it’s the heavenly status of believers”. Though we haven’t seen the wonders of our heavenly home, that is where our true residence is and we are ambassadors for Christ.

An ambassador is a person who represents the interests of another. As Christians we represent Christ here on earth and like any good ambassador we need to represent our true place of residence properly…we need to represent Christ properly.

God made it easy for us to know how we should represent Him by giving us the Holy Bible. From Scripture we know we aren’t to have any god before God Almighty; we aren’t to murder people, we are to honor our father and mother, and so on.

The Ten Commandments teach us these things, but what about other ways we behave? We can always turn to Scripture for guidance, but many Christians seem to ignore God’s Word. By inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote this to Titus:

“That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in
patience” (Titus 2:2).

That doesn’t seem too difficult. The word “aged” comes from the Greek word presbytēs which means aged, but also means ambassador. You don’t have to be an aged man to be an ambassador for Him, but you do need to turn from wild ways. Men, teach your sons to honor God. Women also have a responsibility to behave in a Christ-honoring manner.

“The aged woman likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5).

It’s a great responsibility for a woman to honor God in this way. I know women who fit this description and they are a blessing to everyone around them. Young Christian women need to look to older Christian women for an example of how to serve Christ. It doesn’t seem as if it would be necessary to teach a woman to love her husband and children.

But as we see the divorce rate and the number of abused children increasing, we know there are many women who need to learn to love. The older Christian woman you turn to could be your mother, grandmother, or a friend; if she is living a godly life then you need to learn from her.

Paul didn’t leave out advice to young men. Many people may wink and chuckle at the sinful escapades of a young man. “Sowing his wild oats,” they quip. No matter how old you are you cannot be an ambassador for Christ if you live opposed to His teachings; and sowing wild oats isn’t Christ-like behavior.

“Young men, likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you” (Titus 2:6-8).

It isn’t easy to stand against peer pressure, but if you learn to obey Christ in all things when you’re young, then God will be honored throughout your life. You cannot be a good ambassador for God if you dishonor Him. What about servants?
“Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things” (Titus 2:9-10).

When we hear of servants and masters we think of slavery. Today slavery isn’t an issue like it was in biblical times, but do you work for someone? If you do then you need to realize that you have an obligation to your employer. You need to work the full number of hours you are paid to work, otherwise you’re purloining (stealing) from your employer.

Your employer may be difficult to work for, but don’t talk back. Show God’s love, grace, and mercy in all you do and you will show Christ living through you. You will be a good ambassador if you follow the teachings of Scripture. Christians are residents of heaven. Even as we live our lives on earth day by day, our true home is in heaven.

“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-12).

Peter tells his readers that they are strangers and pilgrims, which metaphorically talks of Christians who are passing through this life and heading to our home in Heaven. We will face many temptations of the flesh that are stumbling blocks along our way, but Peter urges us to abstain from lusts of the flesh. Any pleasure that may be derived from them is temporary and will only cause grief.

Your “conversation,” in other words—your way of life, should always honor God. People around you are watching you to see if you will give in to sin, but if you stand firm in godly ways then you are acting as a good ambassador for Christ. If you feel yourself slipping into temptation, talk to a mature Christian. We need to encourage our brothers and sisters to walk close to our Lord as we journey through this life.

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:19-20).

Christians need to walk together on our journey to our home in heaven. We may be strangers to people who don’t know Christ, but all Christians are of God’s household. We need to help each other to follow that narrow path and honor God.

Study God’s Word. Too many who claim to be Christians have no idea how to live a Christian life because they don’t study.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

It’s easy to get off of the narrow road if we don’t keep God’s Word fresh in our hearts and minds. Reading God’s Word is good, but if you study it you will understand so much more about how to be a good ambassador. It will be a part of you and when temptation comes along you can lean on Scripture to keep you from sin.

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ” (1 Peter 3:15-16).

You can’t be a good ambassador if you live like worldly people, and you can’t give a good answer to someone if you haven’t studied your Bible. You need to have proper answers to questions that the people around you might ask. Fear will keep you silent and lack of know- ledge will keep you fearful. We all know people who are bold in their witness for Christ and the apostle Paul was one who never seemed to lack boldness; but even he felt the need to ask for prayer.

“And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, and to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:19-20).

Paul wrote these words while in prison, and as Christianity becomes illegal in more and more places we may also become ambassadors in bonds. As Christians we need to pray for boldness as we share the gospel and we need to pray for our brothers and sisters who are also passing through this world. Always remember that, we, like Paul, are ambassadors representing God in a hostile land.

Paul knew, all too well, that following Christ carried risks. At first he persecuted Christians with a vengeance, but once he met Jesus he dedicated his life to His service; he became an ambassador for Christ. Because of his faith he spent time in prison and suffered beatings, but never compromised his service to our Lord. He knew what it meant to be an ambassador of Christ in this life and the risks involved. He also knew that the rewards of service were worth any discomfort he faced.

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

All Christians are ambassadors representing our Lord in this hostile world. If you live in a culture that is hostile toward Christians, you may not be able to speak boldly about Christ, but you can live your life so others will see Christ living through you.

There are many people who need to hear the gospel. As God’s ambassadors we need to spread the Good News.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham