Believe in Jesus Christ what it entails (part three)

2.         BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF MAN

The second way we can prove our belief in Jesus Christ is to believe that the same Beloved Son God Who created everything by Himself and for Himself, divested Himself of His glory and became the Son of man, possessing the same human nature as other human beings.

It is stated that, “For it was fitting for Him, for Whom are all things and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” The reason for doing this we are told is; “For inasmuch as the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, that through death He might destroy him who has the power of death, that is the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage” (Hebrews 2:10,14-15).

It was necessary that Jesus Christ should become flesh because as God alone He could not have died to save mankind since the wages of sin is death: He therefore, had to be made like His brethren in every aspect, in order to experience life like any human being and also, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people.

For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Jesus condemned sin in the flesh by not succumbing to sin, and becoming a perfect sacrifice for sin.

As the Son of man, Jesus was tempted in all points as we are being tempted, but did not sin, and because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. It is said that, “In the days of His flesh, He offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him Who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission.

And although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him, and was designated by God to be High Priest in the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 4:15; 2:18; 5:7-10).

Believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of Man therefore, entails believing that as a man Jesus Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example that we should follow His steps. He committed no sin; no guile was found on His lips, when He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten; instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

Everyone that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and may receive eternal life. As it is written; “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).

This Eternal life is Jesus Christ Himself Who is the foundation on which one may build his/her spiritual house, and the source by which one comes to know the one and only true God, and Jesus Christ whom God has sent.

Believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of Man is the way, the truth, and the life by which one comes to the Father, and the golden opportunity for one to choose the best indestructible material to build his/her spiritual house. This level of belief however will not guarantee everlasting life.

It is everyone’s individual responsibility to be careful on how he /she builds on this foundation, for no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. Therefore if any one builds on this foundation using gold, silver, or precious stones, his work which will be tested by fire will survive and he/she will receive a reward. But if anyone builds on this foundation with wood, hay or straw, his work will be burnt up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, only as one escaping through the flames.

God will give to each person according to what he/she has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who rejects the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.

Therefore, believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of Man entails believing that Jesus Christ experienced life just like every human being, tempted just as we are being tempted, overcome just as we are to overcome, conquered sin in the flesh, thus setting us an example that we should follow His steps and therefore, he who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.