Is Jesus Deity?

Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1 start off identically, "In the beginning..." After that Genesis continues, "God created the heavens and the earth." John continues, "In the beginning was the Word" (Greek Logos). The word Logos theologically is a title of Jesus Christ unlike the Greeks definition of the logos which to them simply means: word, discourse or reason, a divine intelligence. Jesus is the Word of God, the Logos personified. 

Its essential I compare the two references; Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1 because what John proves is that the Word is preexistent, God in the flesh, and the Creator of the universe. John 1:1-4 reads:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men

The phrase the Word was with God ( pros ton theon) depicts a close intimate relationship with the Father. The English language does not capture the intensity of the perfect relationship between the Father and Son. The phrase the Word was God is extremely important. In the Greek it is: theos en ho logos. The word was is in the imperfect tense. This refers to continuous or linear action in past time.  What this means is that the Greek verb eimi (was) describes the Word's eternal existence, before the beginning of time. Jesus is and has always been the second person in the Trinity.

Proving that Jesus is divine, and He is deity, it should be logical to believe that He is the Creator and sustainer of all things (John 1:3). 

In Colossians 1:15-18 we read, "He (Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through Him and for Him (emphasis added). And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in every thing He might be preeminent."

Two words need to be defined here. 1) Image: Greek is eikon. This means Jesus is the same essence as the Father. 2) Firstborn: Greek is prototokos. This is a compound word. Proto means first. The second Greek word is tikto which means to beget or bring forth. So firstborn in this context is making reference to Jesus as a being first and preeminent above all things since He is the creator and sustainer of all things.

Texts that also prove Jesus is God

Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a Child is born, unto us a child is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah made this prophecy approximately seven hundred years before the birth of Christ.

John 8:58-59 - Jesus said to the religious leaders, "Before Abraham was I AM." The Pharisees knew what Jesus was claiming; that He was the voice of the burning bush (Exodus 3:14); deity so they picked up stones to kill Him, but He was able to escape their threats for it wasn't time for Him to die yet.

The letter "I" is where we get the word ego which is a emphatic personal pronoun (epn). The emphasis is being placed on the person; in this case the Lord Jesus.  AM is the Greek word eimi which means to exist. In English we would use the verb "to be". AM is in the present indicative (pin). The present indicative asserts something is occurring in the present continuously. In essence Jesus was saying before Abraham was born, I was always here.

John 20:29 - When Thomas touched the resurrected Lord's hands and put His hand into His side he said, "My Lord and my God."

Titus 2:13 - while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 1:9 - Your throne O God, is forever and ever, and the sceptor of your kingdom is a sceptor justice. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; this is why God, your God has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.

In the above verse God the Father calls the Son God - twice! This text along with all the ones I have cited prove Jesus is indeed God in the flesh. He was in eternity past, He was during His first advent, and will be when He returns the second and final time to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).

Why Are You Afraid?

 There are numerous things in this world that people fear. A terminal illness diagnosis. Loss of a Job. Not having enough money to pay bills and retire. The welfare and safety of our family. And most of all, the fear of death. So many people do not have an assurance of where they will end up when they die. Most believe and or hope they will end up in a better place because they have convinced themselves they are good. But who determines ultimately who is good and who is evil? Do we or God Almighty? 

It is the latter, God.

The phrase the world is going to hell in a handbasket while poetic and popular is true. This present world is going to burn  - literally! Environmentalists that want to save this world will not succeed. This beautiful planet with all its glory and splendor is disposable. Sorry but not sorry. I'll explain what I mean. 

I am sorry in the sense that I am firm believer that we should do all we naturally can to preserve and protect our natural resources; our forests, parks, lakes, rivers oceans and wildlife. I know there are many organizations that our committed to maintaining a healthy eco system like the U.S. Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, Fish and Wildlife and National Park Service. The reason I feel bad for them is because while they are fighting a noble battle now, they CANNOT save this planet. Here's why.

2 Peter 3:10 - But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up (emphasis added).

Verse thirteen provides us the promise of a re-created world: Nevertheless we according to His promise look for a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13; Isa 65:17; Rev 21:1). So you see, in order for us to inherit the new heavens and earth, the Lord will have to destroy the current one. The one we are living in now is full of unrighteousness so it cannot remain. This old evil place will undergo a literal baptism by fire!

This is why I am not sorry the old earth will be destroyed because of the new one that awaits us.

Who will enjoy the new heavens and new earth?

Only those who have repented of sins and genuinely placed their faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life in the here and now! Time is running out my friend to get it right with the Lord. No one knows when they will draw their last breath and wake up in eternity - either in heaven or hell. 

Those of us who are in Christ have nothing to fear because when we die, we will immediately wake up in heaven. The Bible says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). The Word of God are not just words on a page, they are the heart of God to mankind to internalize so that we are transformed in mind and heart. Without the truth from scripture a person is dead while they are alive. They are a corpse. How? Here it is. Scripture teaches us prior to one's conversion we are dead in our trespasses and sins. The great news is God has made us alive in Christ by regenerating us to newness of life by the Holy Spirit. (Eph 2:1; Col 2:13; Rom 6:4; Titus 2:13). It is the gospel message that saves the soul if it is received by the hearer. What is the gospel? That God in the person of Jesus Christ sent by the Father to come and save sinners from their sins, forgive them once they have believed in Him and His substitutionary work on the cross. Jesus said it plainly to the religious leaders of His day, "unless you believe that I AM He you will die in your sins" (John 8:24). To die in your sins is to die unforgiven; meaning that person will pay for their own sins in a Christless eternity due to rejecting their Lord and Master.

Jesus also gave this very sobering warning: "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell" (Matthew 10:28). If you reject Jesus Christ the only way to salvation, you have every reason to be afraid of what is going to happen to you. You need to repent today!

So in summary, a person will be afraid because they do not know what the future holds for them because they are ignorant of Biblical truth. Instead of listening to those of us who do know the truth, they rather play Russian Roulette with their souls and ape what most damned to hell people are saying when a person they love dies, "Well, they went to a better place." That is a deceptive comfort if it is not true. You do not have to roll the dice on your life. Jesus Christ has shown us the way, its Him, alone. He said, "I am the way the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me (John 14:6).

I know my eternal future is secure so I am not afraid. 

Do you know if yours is? If you are unsure I urge you to repent of your sins today, trust in Jesus Christ for your salvation so that your future is glorious instead of tragic.

Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth? 

- Galatians 4:16