Scripture, conviction, or preference? #2

April 27, 2022 (Wednesday)

 

Last time, I was examining the difference between Scripture, conviction, and preference. It is fine to hold them if we recognize what they are. Scripture is absolute and universal, while conviction and preference are personal. Today I want to explore when something becomes a conviction and how.

 

Our verse is, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16 ESV] We are looking at the second point in the verse “that he gave his only Son.” Those who grew up with the King James Version have an extra hurtle since it says “only begotten.” In English we understand that to mean, “born.”

 

One of the earliest and most contentious theological discussions the church had was on the nature of Jesus. Some denied Jesus’ divinity, while others denied His humanity. This is where conviction becomes important. How an individual understands Jesus will determine their eternal destiny. Was Jesus Christ created/born or is he God?

 

Short answer: Jesus is God. I draw that conclusion from multiple other references in the Bible. However, for the moment, let’s stick to our one verse. The Greek word is "monogenes." The word literally means "only child." It is used to highlight uniqueness and placement. The Bible reveals God as "Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" in various places. My take on this revelation is that it is as close as our limited human understanding can come to picturing God.

 

In short, the reasoning behind Jesus being fully human and fully divine (God) should be easy to understand. Jesus had to be fully human because "the justice of God requires that the same human nature which has sinned should pay for sin" and to "bear the weight of God’s anger" (Heidelberg Catechism). Jesus has to be fully divine (God) because "a sinner cannot pay for others" (Ibid.). In other words, a sinless sacrifice was needed to secure our salvation. Being human Jesus is able to currently be our mediator at the “right-hand” of God the Father.

 

Paul summed it up, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” [2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV] Thus, there is an exchange. The unique person we call Jesus exchanged places in legal standing before God the Father. Jesus, who is completely innocent of any sin, willingly took our place by being crucified. In exchange, God the Father considers us absolutely righteous, having acquired the righteousness of Jesus.

 

Notice I’ve skipped all the theological words and controversies. Believe it or not, they still exist. Some have always floated near the top of the orthodox theological spectrum. The interest in the Gnostic gospels has fueled the fires of non-orthodox beliefs.

 

Which brings us back to the critical question? “He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” [Mathew 16:15 ESV] I am certain your eternity is based on the answer.