Christ, like:
-
Was He 100% man?
-
Could Christ have sinned?
-
Did he have an unfair advantage being the Son of God?
-
Did He have the same human nature with like passions
as us?
-
And if He did, how was he able to live a victorious
life?
Those questions
have plagued the minds of many for almost 2000 years. We all want to
know if God really expects us to comply with Philippians 2:5 and
Matthew 5:48 in the literal sense. Knowing the answer to those
questions will determine if heaven or hell will be our inheritance.
Philippians 2:5
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
This
scripture was not written in the form of a question or a suggestion,
rather, it has the tone of a command or instruction. However, when
we consider the mind the Christ and compare it with our thought
patterns, it seems impossible. One man said, “It is not what we
think we are, but what we think, we are.” So can we actually have
the mind of Christ? Keep reading, the answer is coming…
Matthew 5:48
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which
is in heaven is perfect.
This scripture is
disturbing as well when we compare humanity with divinity. So what
does it all mean? Since eternity is at stake, we will consult
the only reliable source for the answers, the Bible. Remember
friends, the Bible does not need an interpreter, it will interpret
it self, if studied according to
ISAIAH 28:10 and 2TIMOTHY 2:15. Also pay close attention to each
word, for words have meaning and words are the only way the author
can convey the message. And most important of all, ask the Holy
Spirit to give the understanding thereof.
Question 1: Was
Christ fully man?
John 1:1, 14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God.
14 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
explained that the Word was God, and the Word was made flesh and
dwelt among us. Does the Bible identify the Word that was made
flesh? Yes it does, let us look at:
1.
Luke 1:31 -
Gabriel told Mary that she would give birth – name him Jesus
2.
Luke 2
- Speaks of the birth of Jesus, thus the word was made Flesh.
Jesus, our lord and savior
veiled His divinity in the garb of human flesh and lived among.
Know we know that Christ came in the form of sinful humanity, but
was He fully man? Did He have like passions and a fallen, sinful
nature like man? To answer those questions, we must consult a few
more scriptures.
Galatians 4:4
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son,
made of a woman, made under the law.
This
scripture is also qualifying the fact that Christ was indeed flesh
for He was made of a woman.
2 John 7
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not
that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an
antichrist.
It is important to confirm
the fact that Christ came in the flesh for many are teaching that he
did not come at all. In addition, to justify the claim that sinful
humanity cannot live a victorious life, some are teaching that
Christ did not come in the flesh. Many are suggesting that His
physical form was similar to that of angels and not 100% flesh.
This teaching proclaims that he was not fully human. Rather, He is
comparable to a super human without the ability to sin. As we read
on we will find out what the Bible has to say about that.
1TIMOTHY 2:5
For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the
man Christ Jesus;
Here the Apostle Paul is also confirming the fact
that Christ was man.
Hebrews 2:6-7,9,16-18
6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that
thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him
with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy
hands:
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the
angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour;
that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he
took on him the seed of Abraham.
Let us look at the definition of the word Nature:
-
Particular combination of qualities belonging to a person.
- innate characteristic disposition, temperament
In other words, the disposition and temperament of Christ were the
same as any other man. The difference is, Christ did not operate
via self or flesh, but after the spirit of God. Self was crucified
moment by moment. The Bible makes it clear that He did not have the
nature of angels, He took the nature of the seed of Abraham. That
leads us to the next question, who are the seed of Abraham?
Who
are the seed of Abraham?
John 8:31-33, 37
31
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue
in my word, then re ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in
bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me,
because my word hath no place in you.
In
verse 33, the Jews answered and said, “we be Abraham’s seed,” and
Jesus confirmed it in verse 37. Were the Jews angels, where they
aliens or humans? The Jews were men and women just like you and
me. However, the Jews are not the only ones that are considered
Abraham’s seed, every man has the opportunity to be considered
Abraham’s seed.
Galatians 3:29
If
ye be Christ, then are ye Abraham’s seed.
The scriptures listed above were incorporated to
quality the fact that Jesus took the nature of man and not that of
angels. Genesis 17:9-12 also confirms the fact that when the Bible
speaks of Abraham’s seed, it is speaking of offspring, it is
speaking of humanity.
What
kind of nature did the seed of Abraham/man have?.
GENESIS 6:5
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and
[that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only
evil continually.
GENESIS 8:21
And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart,
I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the
imagination of man's heart [is] evil from his youth; neither will I
again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
I will not even attempt to add my thoughts, for who can say it
better than God? So, it is confirmed, man has a sinful nature
and according to Hebrews chapter 2, Christ had the same nature.
How did He live without sinning, some may be asking? That’s a good
question, and we will find out why later.
Where did such a nature came from?
Romans 7:23-24
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my
mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in
my members.
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this
death?
What is going on with Paul? Is he possessed? What
is this other law in his members that is warring against his mind?
Friends, Paul is asking for deliverance, but will he ever be free
from that other law which is in his members? First, let us continue
our search to find out where that other law came from.
GENESIS 3:15
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy
seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise
his heel.
Enmity is passed on to all men.
Enmity
It is defined as conflict, a feeling or condition of hostility;
hatred; ill will; animosity; antagonism.
When Adam sinned, God in His tender mercy towards man
placed enmity within man. Without enmity, we would be completely
controlled by the devil, completely evil. But as a result of
enmity, there is a war within man, good warring against evil.
ROMANS 7:19
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil
which I would not, that I do.
All together, this is the nature of man. We are in a
sad state when you really think about it, and that is why we need a
savior. But what would a savior do for us? What did
Christ do for us? Let us answer the question about Christ’s
humanity first.
Come, let us reason together.
if Christ was fully man, just like you and me, with the same sin
nature, then enmity would have been within His flesh as well,
correct? Let us find out.
Ephesians 2:15
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of
commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of
twain one new man, [so] making peace;
Friends, the jews did not accept Christ for who He is, and as a
result, many were lost. Please, do not make the same mistake.
Dear reader, I am going to ask you to read Ephesians 2:15 over, and
over, and over again, with a prayer in your heart. It is important
for us to understand this scripture.
* Christ abolished enmity within His flesh. This simply means
that it had to exist for Him to abolish it. But why was enmity
found in Christ? Well, according to Genesis 3:15, God put enmity
within man so that man would not be completely controlled by the
devil, and because Christ was 100% man, he inherited everything
that came with humanity.
Abolishing enmity means, no more war, no more conflict,
no more animosity, no more hostility, and no more propensities
towards evil, thereby making peace. We too can share in that peace
if we accept Jesus Christ as our personal savior and allow Him to
live out His life through us. There is victory in Christ Jesus.
Paul came to that conclusion, and this is what Paul said.
GALATIANS 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet
not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the
flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me,
and gave himself for me.
Christ made in
himself of twain one new man, so making peace. Enmity was not
abolished in all men, it was abolished in Christ. That is why it is
important to be crucified with Christ, and like Paul, allow Christ
to live in us. If we can do that, then perpetual victory is
guaranteed. If we can do that, then we will experience the peace of
Christ.
The Bible makes it clear that Christ was fully man with the same sin
nature, for enmity was in his flesh as well. Like Paul, there was
another law within the members of Christ, warring against the law of
His mind, yet without sin. But how was it possible, considering that
he was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin? The
answer is coming up, but first I want us to consider the subject of
temptation.
Temptation:
Hebrews 2:17-18
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto
his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high
priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the
sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted,
he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Suffered
= Anguish and pain
That
fact that He was not above temptation, the fact that he was tempted
means that He could have sinned.
Once again, Paul is confirming the fact that Jesus was fully man in
verse 17 of
Hebrews 2. He was made like unto his brethren, in other words, he
was made like man. We can all be a source of comfort to those that
are hurting, but if we experience the pain of those that are
hurting, then we would be more effective, for we could truly relate,
connect and empathize with the hurting. That is why it behoved
Christ to be made like unto this brethren, so that he could truly
connect and empathize with hurting sinners. However, pay close
attention to verse 18. The Bible said that he suffered, being
tempted. Why did He suffer?
The word suffered is synonymous with anguish and pain, so if Christ
was above or immune to temptation, then why did it have such a
devastating effect on him? Because He was man and He was tempted in
all points like as we are. Is temptation a fun thing? Can
temptation be very disturbing and painful at times? I would be the
first to answer yes to those questions. Because Christ was fully
man, temptation had the same effect on Him, which is why he
suffered. Let us look at the definition of temptation, but before
we do that, consider the scripture below.
Hebrews 4:15
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as
[we are, yet] without sin.
Amen
and hallelujah!!! Christ understands because He was tempted as
well. In the next section we will find out why He was able to remain
sin free considering he was tempted in all points like as we are.
But until then, let us look at the definition of temptation.
James 1:14-15 – Temptation Defined
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own
lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and
sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
This could be a very upsetting and disturbing
scripture for many if we do not approach it prayerfully. Why? Well
there are a few points to consider:
1. Verse 14 says, every man is tempted, when he is drawn
away of his own lust, and enticed. We already confirmed the fact
that Christ was fully man; therefore, Christ is also included in the
“every man.” It is not pleasant when we view our saviour as being
drawn away of His own lust, and to make it worse, He was enticed,
but without sin. Verse 14 explains what happens when man is
tempted, but temptation is not sin. Temptation becomes a problem if
we allow lust to conceive, as the Bible says, then it bringeth forth
sin. Have you ever been tempted and was victorious? Think about
some of the more difficult ones to overcome and how hard it was on
you. Temptation is hard for all of us, and we suffer because of
desire. The desire to do something we know we should not do. This
could simply be the desire for food, wanting to eat something we
know we should not eat, and we suffer because the craving is so
strong. But even though we are enticed, if we cry out for Jesus, He
will give us the strength to overcome. If we are not drawn away of
our own lust and enticed, then it would not be temptation. Being
tempted (drawn away and enticed) is not something to feel bad about,
for temptation is not sin.
I hope I prepared you well for James 1:13-15, by explaining the
subject of enmity and confirming the fact that Christ was fully man
with like passions. We should not get offended, in fact, we should
rejoice, for now we realize that Jesus truly understands. I
appreciate His sacrifice of love and His death on the cross even
more now, when I understood how much he suffered for our sins.
Hebrews 2:17-18 should make more sense now in understanding why he
suffered as a result of enmity being a part of His members. This is
why he is able to succour us, this is why He is our merciful high
priest.
Friends, Christ did not have an unfair advantage, he was completely
100% man. The Christian life is possible, and the invitation to be
ye perfect as Christ was, is literal. However, it is not possible
with human efforts, every man need to get to the place where Paul
did in saying, “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, but
it is not me living, it is Christ which lives within me.” Jesus is
the answer, and that is the only way the victorious life is
possible. Using humanity as an excuse will not suffice. In fact,
nothing will suffice. No sin will make it to heaven. And if sin is
found in us, we will not make it to heaven. A desire for heaven
with the occasional sins here and there, taking on step forward and
two steps backward is not going to cut it. We all need to establish
a consistent surrendered life that is free of sin, and this is
possible if we stay in Christ. Remember friends, the devil cannot
penetrate Christ and get to you. The only safe place in this evil
world is with Christ.
The roller coaster, high school relationship where we break up with
Christ to make up is very risky. What if Christ returned while we
are beating up on ourselves for making the same silly mistakes over
and over again? What if we attend church weekly, but died in a
tragic car accident and never made it up with the Lord? Remember,
unconfessed sins are unforgiven sins. There is no repentance in the
grave. Christ was just like you and me, and he was able to live 33
years without sin, and He expect nothing less from us. However, it
is easier for us, for Christ already won the victory for us. We can
never live that sin free life, so Christ has offered to live out His
life within us, if we will accept it. But how do I allow Him to do
that you might ask? We will answer that in the next section.
However, let us pick up where we left off on temptation.
The word lust is a strong word, and for many, reading that Christ
was drawn away of his own lust is disturbing, so let us look at its
meaning.
What is lust?
-
"lusts" are objects of desire
- Intense or unrestrained sexual craving
- An overwhelming desire or craving
- desire; inclination; wish
We will find out that lust means desire and
the context of the sentence will give its meaning. Consider the
following:
PROVERBS 6:25
Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let
her take thee with her eyelids.
This is the first example. Let us look at how
the word is used in other context.
MATTHEW 5:28
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman
to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his
heart.
ROMANS 7:7
What shall we say then? [Is] the law sin? God forbid.
Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust,
except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Paul says, for I had not known lust, except the law had said, thou
shall not covet. What does the word covet means? It means desire.
Let us look at how the word covet is used in the Bible so that we
can better understand the word lust.
Exodus 20:17
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house,
thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor
his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is]
thy neighbour's.
Deuteronomy 5:21
Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt
thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or
his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any [thing] that [is] thy
neighbour's.
Covet
= Desire = lust = covet
Words has meaning and meaning is given by the context of the
sentence. One word can convey two different messages based on the
context of the sentence. However, the message of Exodus 20 and
Deuteronomy 5 are the same even though different words were employed
to relay the message. The words covet and desire were used, and
based on the context, there meanings are the same, which is desire.
1CORINTHIANS 10:6
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust
after evil things, as they also lusted.
Therefore we should lust after goods things. But why use lust and
good in the same sentence? Because the use or meaning of a word
changes base upon the context in which it is used. In this
instance, the word lust takes on a softer tone making reference to
desire.
1Corinthians 12:31
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more
excellent way.
There are negative connotations to the words lust and
covet in the minds of many. However, we have to focus on the
meaning of the word based on the context which it is used. Covet in
Corinthians equals desire. At one point we are told not to covet,
as if it is not good to covet at all, and at another point we are
told to covet good things. Therefore, the word in itself is not
bad; it is used to communicate a message.
Therefore, the word lust does not always have a sexual meaning.
Lust basically means desire. We can lust after food, clothes, cars,
computers, etc,… So when the Bible speaks of us being drawn away of
our own lust (desire), Deuteronomy 5:21 helps us to understand that
this desire could be for a house that does not belong to us, a
field, a donkey or a cow.
I said all of that to say, when James explained that every man is
tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed, I want us
to understand that the word lust does not only mean sexual desire,
the word lust covers anything that someone could desire.
When confirming the humanity of Christ, it is very important to
cover the subject of temptation for it helps us to see that Christ
was fully human. Humans are tempted every day, and to think that
Christ was tempted in all points as we are helps us to affirm his
humanity. However, I do not want us to focus on how we are tempted,
and then think about Christ. No, what we should focus on are the
last few words in Hebrews 4:15, and those are, “but without sin.”
And I say praise the Lord and Halleluiah to that, AMEN.
Now that we know that Christ was 100% human, we need to know how he
was able to live without sin, which leads us to the next section,
The testimony and faith of Jesus.
Testimony/Faith
Who is a witness? A witness is someone that has a first hand
knowledge of something. What does a witness do? They testify.
When they are finished testifying, that is considered their
testimony, correct?
REVELATION 12:11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word
of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the
death.
Friends, to overcome this world, we must have a
testimony. Did Christ have a testimony? If yes, what was the word
of His testimony?
JOHN 3:32
And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man
receiveth his testimony.
When we read the previous verses, it is clear that
the “He” in John 3:32 is Christ. So, Christ came to this world as a
witness, testifying about his father’s kingdom, of all that he saw
and heard. He was preaching the gospel of the kingdom, God’s story.
What is the gospel? It is God’s story. Christ was on the witness
stand, testifying to the world, revealing the character of God.
MATTHEW 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world
for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
MARK 1:14
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee,
preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.
Jesus brought with Him, His own personal testimony about His
father’s kingdom, revealing the that fact that God is love. Jesus
spent a lot of time with the father in prayer. He knew Him
intimately; He had a first hand knowledge of the power and
providence of God. He believed that his Father would keep Him, and
everything that He did, He did through the His father. He relied
completely on his father for everything, minding the things of the
spirit and not of the flesh. The faith that He had in His father
brought Him through.
John 14:10
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?
the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the
Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
John 8:28
28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man,
then shall ye know that I am he , and that I do
nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these
things.
John 5:19
19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the
Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son
likewise.
As we consider John 5:30 and Jude 1:24 as well, it is
evident that the faith of Jesus and His personal testimony allowed
Him to overcome this world.
So now we know that Christ was 100% human. We know that he could
have sinned because He was tempted in all points. We also know that
He did not have an unfair advantage, because He was made like unto
His brethren. In addition, we also learned that He did not take on
the nature of angels, rather, He took on the nature of fallen
humanity. We also know that He did not take on the nature of Adam
before the fall, because enmity was in His flesh, and enmity was
placed in Adam and Eve after they sinned. Therefore, Christ did not
have an advantage, He was 100% human, with the same nature and like
passions.
Friends, saying, “I am only human” will never excuse anyone from the
penalty of sin, for Jesus was also only human. If we exercise the
same faith and trust in Him as He did in His father, the victory is
guaranteed. It is possible to live without sinning if we stay in
Christ, but that is a place where many people do not want to spend
all their time. After fulfilling their religious obligation, they
are no longer on God’s time, it is now time to take care of their
business. So we open the door from inside and walk out of Christ.
But if we abide in Christ, we cannot sin for the devil cannot
penetrate to get to us.
1 John 3:6
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not:
The provision has been made, and humanity is no excuse for a life of
sin, for Christ also was only human.
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