Jesus is God -- So What?
I’m excited to share some brief thought-provoking snippets from the messages we heard every day at a conference I recently attended. The speaker was Dr. George Murray, Chancellor of Columbia International University, and a former missionary. Let me warn you, his words are not sweet and feel-good, but rather, challenging and confronting and designed to put us on our knees asking God’s Spirit to search us (Psalm 139: 23-24). Be encouraged: if our goal is to Thrive as followers of Christ, we need to be stretched!
The conference theme began with a question we all need to answer:
Jesus is God—So What?
What would you say to this as you think of your own life?
Because Jesus is God:
- He is worthy of our worship.
- By His death on Calvary, He provided the only way of salvation for the world.
- He has absolute right to Lordship (ownership) over our lives.
- He gives us everything we need to do anything He asks us to do.
True worship is costly:
- Abraham offered up Isaac. (Genesis 22:5)
- David refused to offer up to God that which cost him nothing. (2 Samuel 24:24)
- Mary gave up precious perfume as an act of worship. (John 12:1-8)
Worship involves giving up what we cling to, that which takes God’s first place. What has worshipping God and putting Him in first place cost you?
The Christian life is NOT a democracy; it is an absolute Monarchy.
Jesus is Teacher and Lord—He claimed this. He accepted worship. He knew He was God (John 13:13, John 9:35-38).
In accomplishing His work:
- God controls all circumstances.
- God has a special place for you.
- God requires personal obedience.
- God requires effective fervent prayer. His work will not get done without this. God requires faith to believe He is always present and is sovereignly in control.
- God requires we use words to explain the gospel, not simply rely on actions.
- God asks us to be willing to die, to practice self-denial for the sake of saving lives.
Future guidance always comes in terms of present obedience.
Let's Talk: Think on this question: Am I willing and ready to do my utmost to get God’s message to the world in such a time as this? (If you are an email subscriber and want to comment on the actual post, click here to visit the blog and leave a comment.)
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This article originally appeared in June's issue of Thrive, my free monthly newsletter. If you liked this article, you may want to sign up for Thrive to receive future issues with more articles like this one! Click here to sign up for Thrive.
Poppy Smith
International speaker, multi-published author, Bible teacher, and spiritual coach
Inspiring Women to Thrive!
Permission to use this article is granted provided the following credit is fully included.
Poppy Smith is funny, warm, and passionate about helping women grow spiritually and personally so they experience the love and power of Christ in life’s ups and downs. A former teaching leader with Bible Study Fellowship, Poppy has a Masters in Spiritual Formation and ministers extensively as a retreat and conference speaker both in the US and around the world. For more information about Poppy’s heart, her books and ministry, please visit her website at www.poppysmith.com.