The Book of John. Chapter Ten.
I was just a teenager when a Jehovah’s Witness tried telling me that Jesus was actually the human incarnation of the archangel Michael. As a young believer, I was very much astounded at this revelation. Why hadn’t someone at my church told me? Did I need to read my Bible more to discover this so-called “truth”? When I brought up the question of Jesus’s divinity to the youth group leader, he simply said of Jehovah’s Witnesses, “They’re wrong.”
But, even to my young intelligence, that answer was not enough; I needed an explanation. For years, I struggled to make sense of how The Almighty could possibly walk the earth as a human. I had heard the explanation of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit as having the same components, but were simply manifested in different ways–like ice, water, and steam–but it still didn’t make sense to me. Maybe I was too smart for own good.
Oddly enough, I found the answer in Genesis 1:1. ”In the beginning, God created…”
As it turns out, in the original text, the noun “God” is plural, but the verb “created” is singular. Hence the phrase, “Let us make man in our own image…” (Genesis 1:26).
Ah ha! Got it! Now that makes sense to me!
There is no way God could ever be a singular noun.
The Book of John makes a convincing case for the divinity of Jesus, who said plainly, ”The Father and I are one” (10:30). This statement got Him into a lot of trouble with the religious leaders, who said, “We’re not stoning you for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God!” (10:33). So Jesus, who always knew just what to say, told them, “Don’t believe me unless I carry out my Father’s work” (10:37).
As I considered this verse, it hit me: What business do we have expecting others to believe in Christ if we do not do The Father’s work? Granted, it is the great irony of our faith: if Christians never failed, and continuously so, we would never need Christ. But Jesus reveals the ultimate importance of doing what we are supposed to do: care for the sick and the poor and the prisoner and the orphan and the widow and the immigrants and the people will believe in The One who sent us, too.
“At all times, preach The Gospel. When necessary, use words.”
If we don’t preach by our actions then our words are meaningless. Our love for God must not be a casual admission of speech, but a convincing argument of action.
What do your actions tell others about you? Honestly.
Nor~I have said that a few times in comments lately; about our witness being more effective in action than words.
I was reminded of Jesus’ response to His parents when they came into the temple looking for Him, worried, and His response was ‘I’m about my Father’s business.’ He didn’t have to explain what that was at the time. Sometimes, neither do we, we just need to show it.
Love you brotha
How do I make the clapping icon?
Love it! I was also amazed at the original being a plural…there is also another place in Gensis..not sure of the chapter off the top..but it is in the story of the tower of babel…”God says, let US go down, and scatter them”..or something to that effect…I was intrugued that it was an US. Meant a lot to me too, I always need more of an answer than “because they are wrong and i am not”. I totally get that!
Thank you, Nor. Good words.
Faith without works is a dead faith. ~James 2
Hope your day is a good one.
Gch: I have to admit, I am relieved to hear that you, too, know the significance of action as testimony. And, actually, it’s every good writer’s ethic: “Show, don’t tell!” That makes the story much, much more effective. And when the story of our lives is told before The Throne, when we give an account, that tale will be far, far more effective than “saying we said.”
Darla: I can certainly appreciate your skepticism when it comes to the “they’re wrong; I’m right” routine. The answers are there, and it is certainly not safe at all for us to assume that just because we are told something by a fellow believer–however well-intended he, or she, might be–that it is the truth or that a simple explanation can satisfy such an important question.
Michelle: Always glad to encourage my be-loved sisters, Sister! My day is turning out pretty good so far, but, due to the economy, I have had to stop shaving.
On another note…I can’t for the life of me figure out why I chose the title “Family Labor.” I wrote this a month ago so it seems my memory doesn’t last quite so long as it used to.
“Family Labor” Maybe you were thinking of the works we do in the family of God…
I’ll have to do a new picassohead with a full beard, unless, due to the economy, we have to turn off our electricity.
I guess that must have been why I chose the title because I can’t think of any other reason.
And I hope, due to the economy, that I can afford to grow a full beard.
LOL yall are silly
“At all times, preach The Gospel. When necessary, use words.”
That is awesome. I wish I could say I am always a reflection of Christ.
Be the moon, reflect the Son.
You nailed it, Nor!
Just the other day, I have been telling a friend: Many of us say something yet do something else.
We humans have trouble making our actions and our words reflect each other. It’s a constant struggle for most of us. Yet we should keep trying to become better.
Again, great essay my friend.
And I’d like to keep that part of your essay I quoted in my comment. May I?
Nor… I have no problem standing up in front of the group right now and say.
Dude…. I love you. Brother this is all over my heart right now.
If we with Christ as our example, compelled by Faith,worked together in love as the family of Christ think how big our impact could be.
Peace
Gch: Of course we’re silly, Silly!
Scott: I DID get your name right, right?
Sherma: Well, I don’t know if I’m willing let you KEEP it; my writing is protected under an online license. But since you asked so nicely–and since you’re such a talented writer yourself–I’ll let you use it so long as you give credit where credit is due. Is that a deal?
Carl: Thank you. I have been wondering that quite a bit myself, but lately it seems like all I see are petty disagreements over details instead of a determined focus on the foundation of our faith. Take care, Brother.
Nor,
Whoosh, today just must be my day. First Michelle’s latest entry now yours.
What do my actions tell others about me? I’ve always wondered that and I don’t think it’s anything I would like.
Especially these days.
So you and Michelle have convicted me, thank you and I mean that sincerely.
I shall now go out and…do something different.
G
Glad to help, Goth.
This is so much like what I wrote! Great stuff!
If you haven’t seen Annie’s post yet, you really should get over there. It’s an incredible read.
It’s called “Loving and Doing Part 1″ and you can find it at
http://callingtodeep.blogspot.com/
Extraordinairy! Simply extraordinairy!
Wow. holy crappoly. (Those were my words, I hope that’s okay.) You have blown me away with your praise. Wow. I am truly humbled. I do take that as a compliment. thanks, brother.
(although that post isn’t actually my Blogged Bible Study post. That post is here: http://callingtodeep.blogspot.com/2008/09/blogged-bible-study-john-10-24-then.html. But it did come out of the same kind of thought.)
Ah! Well, see? I was close, right?
I was not able to read this all and I don’t know if anyone said this yet, but to me your DOing seems to be giving out grace. I need that. We all need that.
Thank you for your words.