Delighting in the Truth: Jesus Christ, by Pastor Charlie Handren

From January to March, we will be offering a series of devotionals on our Membership Affirmation of Faith. Our aim in this series is to help Glory of Christ grow in our understanding of truth, our love of the God of truth, our love of one another, and our love of unbelievers. The Affirmation is made up of eight articles of faith, the third of which is entitled “Jesus Christ” and reads as follows:

We believe in Jesus Christ, true God from true God, begotten not created, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38; John 1:1; 20:28; Romans 9:5; 8:46; II Corinthians 5:21; I Peter 2:21-23; John 20:30-31; Matthew 20:28; Ephesians 1:4; Acts 1:11; Romans 5:6-8; 6:9-10; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:28; I Timothy 3:16).

This statement covers a variety of topics, each of which deserve careful meditation. Specifically, this affirmation mentions (1) the preexistence of Jesus, (2) the manner of his physical birth, (3) the nature of his earthly life, (4) the nature and implications of his death, (5) the reality of his victory over death, (6) his ascension into heaven which includes his enthronement as the eternal King and High Priest of heaven and earth, and (7) his second coming which will be both personal in that he himself will return to the earth and visible in that every eye will see him.
While I trust that none of these aspects of Jesus’ life and nature are new to most of you, I encourage you to look up all the Scriptures listed and to ponder each of these aspects. The glory of Christ is greater and more satisfying than any of us have imagined, so may we approach the contemplation of his life and nature with childlike faith, hope, and joy.
As you reflect on Jesus, take some time to ponder the following questions, preferably along with other believers: (1) How can a better understanding of Jesus help us to worship him? (2) How can a better understanding of Jesus help us to love other believers? (3) How can a better understanding of Jesus help us to gain a greater passion to share the gospel with unbelievers near and far?

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