Every day, even the “conservative” culture is bombarded with a narrative that spoons us mouthfuls of non-biblical niceties. It tells us that people are basically good, that all religions are for the most part the same, and that if we could just get our politics right, we could stop this blood-soaked jihad once and for all. But it is not so, and we are called to feast on truth and to share its bounty with others:
The truth about the God of life—Who said not “You kill for me,” but “I’ll die for you” (Rom. 5:6).
The truth about a sure salvation—This is not a “good deeds versus bad deeds with a little jihad to seal the deal” gospel, but one that says, “I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). Not think, not hope for the best, but know.
The truth about the exclusivity of Christ—Kimberly Wagner has recently written about The Audacious Exclusivity of the Gospel, and she nailed it! Consider this as well: The Christian life is a relationship of lovely paradoxes. The sinless dies for the sinner; the King becomes a carpenter; in our weakness He is strong. The audacious gospel is at once completely exclusive yet absolutely available and perfectly free, for “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13).
The Results Are In
Finally, to my friends who responded and to the readers here, if you’re wondering what my answer is, I should probably first admit that my question was limited in its helpfulness. Many of your answers might have differed if I had framed it from a historical perspective, if I had specified what I meant by “Jews” or if I had defined what I meant by “worship.”
The semantics and doctrinal truths that bear weight on the question and its possible answers have been debated by Bible scholars for eons, and no doubt that debate will continue. In my limited research, though, I came across this helpful truth in an article by Joe Carter, who said this:
“Here’s the statement that I recommend you chew on a little bit: GOD IS JESUS. When you see Jesus, you are seeing God, not just because Jesus is God, but also because God is Jesus. Jesus is the One who shows us who God is and what God is like3” (Emphasis added).
So here it is:
A. God is Jesus.
B. God is Jesus.
C. God is Jesus.
D. God is Jesus.
And to my friend who sparked the conversation, take heart, because God has indeed “fixed this” (see A–D above). As I said before, you can call Him “imaginary” all day long, and I will continue to love you and pray for you. Oh, and one more thing, I will keep on winsomely telling truth to you and anyone else who will listen … because I’m sleeping with my clothes on.
Natives of Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula, Laura Elliott and her husband, Michael, endeavor to serve the Lord with gladness in Minnesota as they raise five sons and one daughter, while ministering at Chisago Lakes Baptist Church and School, where Michael serves as the school’s administrator. Laura’s passions include words, music and encouraging women to pursue the God of Scripture in every season of life. In her so-called free time, you might find Laura cooking (or watching Food Network) at home in North Branch. Reprinted with permission from True Woman.
