Are You Following the Real Jesus—or a Counterfeit?

[bdavidc]

Jesus said plainly in John 10:26, “But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.” These are not the words of a motivational speaker or a gentle religious guru, they are the words of the Lord Himself, dividing between those who truly belong to Him and those who do not. Many claim belief, yet Scripture makes it clear, not all belief is saving faith. The line Jesus draws here is sharp. It reveals that real faith goes far deeper than mental agreement or emotional excitement. It is about belonging to Him.

In John 3:15-16, Jesus promises eternal life to those who believe in Him. But the kind of belief He speaks of is not casual acknowledgment. It is a personal trust, a complete surrender to the One lifted up like the serpent in the wilderness, crucified for the sins of the world. This kind of belief changes everything. It is not intellectual curiosity or admiration for His miracles. In fact, John 6:23-26 shows us that many followed Jesus simply because they wanted more bread. They had seen the miracles, they had been amazed, but they were not drawn to Him, they were drawn to what He could give them.

Others saw Jesus as a political solution, a possible liberator from Rome. Mark 15:32 records the mockery of the crowd, “Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” They wanted a Messiah on their terms, a powerful ruler who would crush their enemies, not a suffering servant who would die for their sins. They believed in a version of Jesus, but not the one sent by the Father. They did not recognize Him because their hearts were not His. They were not His sheep.

This is why Galatians 1:3-4 and Philippians 2:5-8 are so vital. They remind us who the true Jesus is. He gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world. He made Himself of no reputation, humbling Himself to the point of death on a cross. This is the Jesus we must believe in, not a mascot for our political ideals, not a genie who fixes our problems, but the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Many today still fall into the same trap. They believe in a Jesus of their own imagination, a Christ made in their image, one who tolerates sin, affirms their desires, and requires no repentance. But Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Saving faith is marked by submission, trust, and obedience. It is to believe in the Jesus of Scripture, and to follow Him wherever He leads.

So ask yourself, do you believe in Jesus because of what He can do for you, or because of who He truly is? If He leads you through suffering, persecution, or hardship, will you still follow? If not, then maybe the problem is not with your faith, it is that you may not be one of His sheep.

But the good news is this, Jesus is still calling. And all who hear His voice and come to Him in repentance and faith will be saved. Not by works, not by heritage, but by grace. Believe in the true Christ, the crucified, risen, and returning King. Anything less is not saving faith. It is a counterfeit. And eternity is too high a price to gamble on the wrong Jesus.

 

[PS95]

View attachment 63044

Jesus said plainly in John 10:26, “But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.” These are not the words of a motivational speaker or a gentle religious guru, they are the words of the Lord Himself, dividing between those who truly belong to Him and those who do not. Many claim belief, yet Scripture makes it clear, not all belief is saving faith. The line Jesus draws here is sharp. It reveals that real faith goes far deeper than mental agreement or emotional excitement. It is about belonging to Him.

In John 3:15-16, Jesus promises eternal life to those who believe in Him. But the kind of belief He speaks of is not casual acknowledgment. It is a personal trust, a complete surrender to the One lifted up like the serpent in the wilderness, crucified for the sins of the world. This kind of belief changes everything. It is not intellectual curiosity or admiration for His miracles. In fact, John 6:23-26 shows us that many followed Jesus simply because they wanted more bread. They had seen the miracles, they had been amazed, but they were not drawn to Him, they were drawn to what He could give them.

Others saw Jesus as a political solution, a possible liberator from Rome. Mark 15:32 records the mockery of the crowd, “Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” They wanted a Messiah on their terms, a powerful ruler who would crush their enemies, not a suffering servant who would die for their sins. They believed in a version of Jesus, but not the one sent by the Father. They did not recognize Him because their hearts were not His. They were not His sheep.

This is why Galatians 1:3-4 and Philippians 2:5-8 are so vital. They remind us who the true Jesus is. He gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world. He made Himself of no reputation, humbling Himself to the point of death on a cross. This is the Jesus we must believe in, not a mascot for our political ideals, not a genie who fixes our problems, but the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Many today still fall into the same trap. They believe in a Jesus of their own imagination, a Christ made in their image, one who tolerates sin, affirms their desires, and requires no repentance. But Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Saving faith is marked by submission, trust, and obedience. It is to believe in the Jesus of Scripture, and to follow Him wherever He leads.

So ask yourself, do you believe in Jesus because of what He can do for you, or because of who He truly is? If He leads you through suffering, persecution, or hardship, will you still follow? If not, then maybe the problem is not with your faith, it is that you may not be one of His sheep.

But the good news is this, Jesus is still calling. And all who hear His voice and come to Him in repentance and faith will be saved. Not by works, not by heritage, but by grace. Believe in the true Christ, the crucified, risen, and returning King. Anything less is not saving faith. It is a counterfeit. And eternity is too high a price to gamble on the wrong Jesus.

His love.. is ..
the words have never been invented

 

[Runningman]

View attachment 63044

Jesus said plainly in John 10:26, “But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.” These are not the words of a motivational speaker or a gentle religious guru, they are the words of the Lord Himself, dividing between those who truly belong to Him and those who do not. Many claim belief, yet Scripture makes it clear, not all belief is saving faith. The line Jesus draws here is sharp. It reveals that real faith goes far deeper than mental agreement or emotional excitement. It is about belonging to Him.

In John 3:15-16, Jesus promises eternal life to those who believe in Him. But the kind of belief He speaks of is not casual acknowledgment. It is a personal trust, a complete surrender to the One lifted up like the serpent in the wilderness, crucified for the sins of the world. This kind of belief changes everything. It is not intellectual curiosity or admiration for His miracles. In fact, John 6:23-26 shows us that many followed Jesus simply because they wanted more bread. They had seen the miracles, they had been amazed, but they were not drawn to Him, they were drawn to what He could give them.

Others saw Jesus as a political solution, a possible liberator from Rome. Mark 15:32 records the mockery of the crowd, “Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” They wanted a Messiah on their terms, a powerful ruler who would crush their enemies, not a suffering servant who would die for their sins. They believed in a version of Jesus, but not the one sent by the Father. They did not recognize Him because their hearts were not His. They were not His sheep.

This is why Galatians 1:3-4 and Philippians 2:5-8 are so vital. They remind us who the true Jesus is. He gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world. He made Himself of no reputation, humbling Himself to the point of death on a cross. This is the Jesus we must believe in, not a mascot for our political ideals, not a genie who fixes our problems, but the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Many today still fall into the same trap. They believe in a Jesus of their own imagination, a Christ made in their image, one who tolerates sin, affirms their desires, and requires no repentance. But Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Saving faith is marked by submission, trust, and obedience. It is to believe in the Jesus of Scripture, and to follow Him wherever He leads.

So ask yourself, do you believe in Jesus because of what He can do for you, or because of who He truly is? If He leads you through suffering, persecution, or hardship, will you still follow? If not, then maybe the problem is not with your faith, it is that you may not be one of His sheep.

But the good news is this, Jesus is still calling. And all who hear His voice and come to Him in repentance and faith will be saved. Not by works, not by heritage, but by grace. Believe in the true Christ, the crucified, risen, and returning King. Anything less is not saving faith. It is a counterfeit. And eternity is too high a price to gamble on the wrong Jesus.

I like to think we all believe that we believe in the real Jesus, but one of the things about the Bible in general is that it's easy to read a few verses here and there and not get a complete picture. There is a narrative and a story to all of it and the things that seem like they should have been mentioned first & foremost just aren't and the things that seem like should have been highlight and neon lights and explained, are often just nothing but a one-liner buried in a sea of text. It's completely possible to read about Jesus, catch a few key points, but completely miss the bigger picture. If one really can hear his voice, then he will certainly tell them who he is and who his God is.

 

[Sister-n-Christ]

View attachment 63044

Jesus said plainly in John 10:26, “But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.” These are not the words of a motivational speaker or a gentle religious guru, they are the words of the Lord Himself, dividing between those who truly belong to Him and those who do not. Many claim belief, yet Scripture makes it clear, not all belief is saving faith. The line Jesus draws here is sharp. It reveals that real faith goes far deeper than mental agreement or emotional excitement. It is about belonging to Him.

In John 3:15-16, Jesus promises eternal life to those who believe in Him. But the kind of belief He speaks of is not casual acknowledgment. It is a personal trust, a complete surrender to the One lifted up like the serpent in the wilderness, crucified for the sins of the world. This kind of belief changes everything. It is not intellectual curiosity or admiration for His miracles. In fact, John 6:23-26 shows us that many followed Jesus simply because they wanted more bread. They had seen the miracles, they had been amazed, but they were not drawn to Him, they were drawn to what He could give them.

Others saw Jesus as a political solution, a possible liberator from Rome. Mark 15:32 records the mockery of the crowd, “Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” They wanted a Messiah on their terms, a powerful ruler who would crush their enemies, not a suffering servant who would die for their sins. They believed in a version of Jesus, but not the one sent by the Father. They did not recognize Him because their hearts were not His. They were not His sheep.

This is why Galatians 1:3-4 and Philippians 2:5-8 are so vital. They remind us who the true Jesus is. He gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world. He made Himself of no reputation, humbling Himself to the point of death on a cross. This is the Jesus we must believe in, not a mascot for our political ideals, not a genie who fixes our problems, but the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Many today still fall into the same trap. They believe in a Jesus of their own imagination, a Christ made in their image, one who tolerates sin, affirms their desires, and requires no repentance. But Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Saving faith is marked by submission, trust, and obedience. It is to believe in the Jesus of Scripture, and to follow Him wherever He leads.

So ask yourself, do you believe in Jesus because of what He can do for you, or because of who He truly is? If He leads you through suffering, persecution, or hardship, will you still follow? If not, then maybe the problem is not with your faith, it is that you may not be one of His sheep.

But the good news is this, Jesus is still calling. And all who hear His voice and come to Him in repentance and faith will be saved. Not by works, not by heritage, but by grace. Believe in the true Christ, the crucified, risen, and returning King. Anything less is not saving faith. It is a counterfeit. And eternity is too high a price to gamble on the wrong Jesus.

John 10:
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[c]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

Great passage. Checks all the boxes.

 

[bdavidc]

then he will certainly tell them who he is and who his God is.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, there’s definitely truth in what you said about needing to look at the whole of Scripture instead of isolated verses. That’s something I try to do as well. But I want to gently point out something that stood out in your comment. You said, “If one really can hear His voice, then He will certainly tell them who He is and who His God is.” That made me pause, because it sounds like you're suggesting that Jesus is not God Himself.

Scripture makes it absolutely clear that Jesus is both the Son of God and God in the flesh. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Thomas called Jesus, “My Lord and my God” in John 20:28. And Titus 2:13 refers to Him as “our great God and Savior.” At the same time, Jesus, in His humanity, submitted to the Father and called Him “My God” (John 20:17), but that doesn’t make Him any less divine. It’s the mystery of the incarnation, Jesus is fully God and fully man (Colossians 2:9).

If someone has a different view of Jesus, one that sees Him as just a man, a prophet, or even a lesser divine being, that’s not the Jesus of Scripture. The Bible warns that there are many “other” Jesuses (2 Corinthians 11:4), but only one true Christ who saves. That’s why this really matters.

So, just to be clear, can I ask, do you believe that Jesus is fully God, just as the Bible says? That’s the foundation of the Gospel, and I believe it’s important that we’re not vague about it.

 

[quietthinker]

te

John 10:
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[c]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

Great passage. Checks all the boxes.

Tell me about the voice you are following please SnC

 

[Sister-n-Christ]

te

Tell me about the voice you are following please SnC

Why?

 

[quietthinker]

Why?

You quoted Jesus about listening to his voice. I would like to hear what that voice is saying to you.

 

[Runningman]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, there’s definitely truth in what you said about needing to look at the whole of Scripture instead of isolated verses. That’s something I try to do as well. But I want to gently point out something that stood out in your comment. You said, “If one really can hear His voice, then He will certainly tell them who He is and who His God is.” That made me pause, because it sounds like you're suggesting that Jesus is not God Himself.

Scripture makes it absolutely clear that Jesus is both the Son of God and God in the flesh. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Thomas called Jesus, “My Lord and my God” in John 20:28. And Titus 2:13 refers to Him as “our great God and Savior.” At the same time, Jesus, in His humanity, submitted to the Father and called Him “My God” (John 20:17), but that doesn’t make Him any less divine. It’s the mystery of the incarnation, Jesus is fully God and fully man (Colossians 2:9).

If someone has a different view of Jesus, one that sees Him as just a man, a prophet, or even a lesser divine being, that’s not the Jesus of Scripture. The Bible warns that there are many “other” Jesuses (2 Corinthians 11:4), but only one true Christ who saves. That’s why this really matters.

So, just to be clear, can I ask, do you believe that Jesus is fully God, just as the Bible says? That’s the foundation of the Gospel, and I believe it’s important that we’re not vague about it.

I do absolutely agree with the rest of what you said, but I admit I have a highly nuanced understanding of Jesus, and this will tie into my previous comment.

In John 3:16-17, it's totally true that Jesus promised eternal life to those who believe in him. Amen! But now I will tie a point into my previous comment with John 17:2 that clarifies that Jesus can give eternal life because he was granted authority over all people by his Father. John 3:16-17 doesn't mention what John 17:2 says, and vice versa, but it would be nice to know that Jesus didn't inherently have authority to do that until it was granted to him. That was kind of what I was getting at before when I mentioned needing to look at the whole of Scripture.

There are probably dozens of these kinds of examples where the information about the same topic is dispersed around the Bible rather than consolidated into a list for total understanding at a glance.

To answer your question directly, no I do not believe Jesus is God. I believe he is the Son of God and Messiah, yes, but distinct from the the Father who he called his God. I believe Jesus is a man with a God just like you and I. Not to marginalize him because he is God's begotten Son and unique, sinless, and sitting at the right hand of God.

 

[Sister-n-Christ]

You quoted Jesus about listening to his voice. I would like to hear what that voice is saying to you.

Read my posts. And I'll presume that same inspiration when I read yours.

 

[quietthinker]

Read my posts. And I'll presume that same inspiration when I read yours.

I hear you, however I was hoping you could express yourself to the direct question

 

[Scott Downey]

I do absolutely agree with the rest of what you said, but I admit I have a highly nuanced understanding of Jesus, and this will tie into my previous comment.

In John 3:16-17, it's totally true that Jesus promised eternal life to those who believe in him. Amen! But now I will tie a point into my previous comment with John 17:2 that clarifies that Jesus can give eternal life because he was granted authority over all people by his Father. John 3:16-17 doesn't mention what John 17:2 says, and vice versa, but it would be nice to know that Jesus didn't inherently have authority to do that until it was granted to him. That was kind of what I was getting at before when I mentioned needing to look at the whole of Scripture.

There are probably dozens of these kinds of examples where the information about the same topic is dispersed around the Bible rather than consolidated into a list for total understanding at a glance.

To answer your question directly, no I do not believe Jesus is God. I believe he is the Son of God and Messiah, yes, but distinct from the the Father who he called his God. I believe Jesus is a man with a God just like you and I. Not to marginalize him because he is God's begotten Son and unique, sinless, and sitting at the right hand of God.

When the Son left the Father's side to come to earth, God the Son diminished Himself to become born as a baby.
So every time you read in scripture of Jesus speaking to the Father, He is placing Himself below Him, honoring the Father.
This is all by the purpose and plan of God that Christ is to be our example to bring us back to the Father, we who are the lost sheep.
We are to be like Christ and to be conformed to the image of Christ, and to be a part of the family of God with Christ as our brother.
That is the whole reason the Son was separated from the Father to save His people. This is about relationships.

John 5
16 For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, [d]and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”

18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

 

[Runningman]

When the Son left the Father's side to come to earth, God the Son diminished Himself to become born as a baby.
So every time you read in scripture of Jesus speaking to the Father, He is placing Himself below Him, honoring the Father.
This is all by the purpose and plan of God that Christ is to be our example to bring us back to the Father, we who are the lost sheep.
We are to be like Christ and to be conformed to the image of Christ, and to be a part of the family of God with Christ as our brother.
That is the whole reason the Son was separated from the Father to save His people. This is about relationships.

John 5
16 For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, [d]and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”

18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

20 For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

I admit I am a bit of a Biblical literalist and tend to believe what it says mostly at face value unless a theological or non-literal explanation is required.

I am not saying you’re wrong, but I just don’t agree with what you said at the beginning of your comment. The reason is because the Old Testament doesn’t have any examples of Jesus literally pre-existing, saying anything, or doing anything.

I do believe Jesus pre-existed in a sense. The only thing I have found in the Bible that suggests in which way he pre-existed is in the “bosom” of the Father in John 1:18. I take this to mean that Jesus was in the heart, the mind, feelings, of the Father and this is the way the Father loved Jesus before the creation of the world as John 17:24 says.

The Father had it all planned out for Jesus and hence the Word (Logos, which means words, a speech or divine utterance) was what became flesh, not an actual pre-existent being named the Word because words aren’t a person. John gave us a more clearer picture of what he thought of the Word in 1 John 1:1-3 and he described the Word using impersonal pronouns (that, which, this it) and said that it is eternal life that either was revealed by Jesus or manifested in Jesus.

 

[marks]

If one really can hear his voice, then he will certainly tell them who he is and who his God is.

Who hears His voice, and how do you know it's His voice?

I know I hear His voice because He tells me things that will happen and they do. Or He tells me things with a hidden wisdom that is later revealed.

Much love!

 

[marks]

His love.. is ..

. . . Jesus.

Much love!

 

[MatthewG]

Don't know? How can one find out?

One can truly find the detailed yet ambiguous life of Yeshua, and what was it that he had lived by? The holy spirit of his Father. That most assuredly will show you the character in which Yeshua had portrayed. Following the will of his Father, and even giving up his own life in order to reconcile the world in order for the payment of sin to be taken care of.


Yeshua, loved to go to a good party, he hung around and ate with sinners, and it seems the only ones he was ever hard on was the fanatically religious. Yeshua was a person whom lived by the holy spirit. That is something to consider finding out what does that produce for a person today?

Who believes, and rest their faith on the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

[bdavidc]

I do absolutely agree with the rest of what you said, but I admit I have a highly nuanced understanding of Jesus, and this will tie into my previous comment.

In John 3:16-17, it's totally true that Jesus promised eternal life to those who believe in him. Amen! But now I will tie a point into my previous comment with John 17:2 that clarifies that Jesus can give eternal life because he was granted authority over all people by his Father. John 3:16-17 doesn't mention what John 17:2 says, and vice versa, but it would be nice to know that Jesus didn't inherently have authority to do that until it was granted to him. That was kind of what I was getting at before when I mentioned needing to look at the whole of Scripture.

There are probably dozens of these kinds of examples where the information about the same topic is dispersed around the Bible rather than consolidated into a list for total understanding at a glance.

To answer your question directly, no I do not believe Jesus is God. I believe he is the Son of God and Messiah, yes, but distinct from the the Father who he called his God. I believe Jesus is a man with a God just like you and I. Not to marginalize him because he is God's begotten Son and unique, sinless, and sitting at the right hand of God.

Your view may sound respectful of Jesus, but it directly contradicts the full counsel of Scripture. The Bible makes it absolutely clear that Jesus is not merely a man with a God, He is God in the flesh, fully divine and eternally existing with the Father. To deny His divinity is to reject the very identity of the One who saves.

You cited John 17:2, where Jesus says the Father gave Him authority to give eternal life. Yes, that verse is true. But you're using it to falsely imply that Jesus lacked divine authority in Himself. That interpretation ignores what Scripture teaches as a whole. In John 1:1, it says plainly, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” And in John 1:14, it says, “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” Jesus didn’t become divine, He was already God before He came in the flesh.

You also referenced John 3:16–17. That’s the gospel, no question. But verse 18 goes on to say, “He that believeth on him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already.” Believing in Jesus isn’t just about acknowledging that He is the Messiah, it includes believing in who He truly is. Jesus said in John 8:24, “If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” The phrase “I am” in Greek (ἐγώ εἰμι) is the same phrase used in the Greek Old Testament for God’s name in Exodus 3:14. Jesus was claiming divine identity.

In John 10:30, Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” The Jews understood exactly what He meant, they picked up stones to kill Him for blasphemy, “because thou, being a man, makest thyself God” (John 10:33). Jesus didn’t correct them because they were right about what He was claiming. He accepted worship (Matthew 14:33, John 9:38), something no created being should ever do (Revelation 22:8–9).

Your rejection of Jesus’ divinity is not supported by Scripture, it’s a distortion of it. Jesus is not just a sinless man who sits beside God. He is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), the one in whom all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily (Colossians 2:9). That is not a metaphor. That is truth.

You said we need to look at the whole of Scripture. I agree. And the whole of Scripture declares that Jesus is both the Son of God and God Himself. Denying that is not a minor misunderstanding, it is rejecting the very nature of the Savior. Turn back to the Word, and believe in the real Jesus, not a lesser version made to fit human reasoning. Only the true Jesus can save.

 

[bdavidc]

Don't know? How can one find out?

One can truly find the detailed yet ambiguous life of Yeshua, and what was it that he had lived by? The holy spirit of his Father. That most assuredly will show you the character in which Yeshua had portrayed. Following the will of his Father, and even giving up his own life in order to reconcile the world in order for the payment of sin to be taken care of.


Yeshua, loved to go to a good party, he hung around and ate with sinners, and it seems the only ones he was ever hard on was the fanatically religious. Yeshua was a person whom lived by the holy spirit. That is something to consider finding out what does that produce for a person today?

Who believes, and rest their faith on the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The only way to truly know who Jesus is and whether you're following the real Jesus or a counterfeit is through the Word of God alone. The Bible does not leave the life of Jesus “ambiguous.” It reveals Him clearly as the sinless Son of God, the Word made flesh (John 1:14), who came not to do His own will, but the will of the Father who sent Him (John 6:38). He was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1), and everything He did was in perfect obedience to the Father (Philippians 2:8). While Jesus did eat with sinners, it was not to party or condone sin, but to call them to repentance (Luke 5:32). He exposed religious hypocrisy, yes, but He also called everyone to repent and believe the Gospel (Mark 1:15). Following the real Jesus today means dying to self, denying sin, and obeying His Word (Luke 9:23, John 14:15). Anyone who believes in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ must also follow Him in truth, not by personal feelings or assumptions, but by the full counsel of Scripture. The Holy Spirit never leads someone contrary to what is written (John 16:13). If your “Jesus” lets you live how you want or focuses more on being relatable than righteous, you're following a counterfeit. The true Jesus is holy, just, merciful, and calls sinners to be born again through faith in Him alone (John 3:3, Romans 10:9-10).

 

[MatthewG]

I just hope Jesus was even real, @bdavidc, in my heart he truly is. Thank you for all the scriptures, it's valuable and profitable to people, to those who don't already know and read these things.


Feelings mean nothing to me personally. It's either, you believe Jesus came, died, was buried, and resurrected. Or you simply just do not.


I guess sometimes people "Feel as though they must do something." In reality, it's all been left down to a simple choice. To believe that Jesus christ death was enough, and it was the payment for sin, and from there you raise with Christ into newness of life, which scripture also shares.

I been in and out and through it, personally. Thank you for your thread.

 

[Scott Downey]

I admit I am a bit of a Biblical literalist and tend to believe what it says mostly at face value unless a theological or non-literal explanation is required.

I am not saying you’re wrong, but I just don’t agree with what you said at the beginning of your comment. The reason is because the Old Testament doesn’t have any examples of Jesus literally pre-existing, saying anything, or doing anything.

I do believe Jesus pre-existed in a sense. The only thing I have found in the Bible that suggests in which way he pre-existed is in the “bosom” of the Father in John 1:18. I take this to mean that Jesus was in the heart, the mind, feelings, of the Father and this is the way the Father loved Jesus before the creation of the world as John 17:24 says.

The Father had it all planned out for Jesus and hence the Word (Logos, which means words, a speech or divine utterance) was what became flesh, not an actual pre-existent being named the Word because words aren’t a person. John gave us a more clearer picture of what he thought of the Word in 1 John 1:1-3 and he described the Word using impersonal pronouns (that, which, this it) and said that it is eternal life that either was revealed by Jesus or manifested in Jesus.

Har far back did Christ preexist?
Well, The Son was around before the creation.
He was in glory together with the Father before God created anything.
So the Son is from eternity past, from before the beginning.
John 17
5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together [b]with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

Read this.

How is Jesus "Begotten, Not Made" as Found in the Nicene Creed?

Discover the purpose of this phrase and its biblical sources as we examine the proper meaning of "begotten, not made."

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