Jesus never ceased to be God. The “Hypostatic union”, is the individual nature of Jesus as God. The First Council of Ephesus in 431 AD recognized this doctrine and affirmed its importance. The Council professed that in Christ there are two natures; each retaining its own properties, and together united in one subsistence and in one single person. The hypostatic union was crucial to an abiding faith in the Christian God. He was the Son of God but He surrendered using His divine attributes. When Jesus stated no one has seen God, it is because the flesh of Christ was human but through His action of living among us Jesus being God, humbled Himself.

“…there is none good but one, that is, God…” Matthew 19:17

In this passage Jesus is not saying He is not good. Jesus is without sin and died for our sins as the perfect sacrifice for us to go to Heaven. He then rose from the dead. Jesus, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; Philippians 2:6” This means Jesus was humble even unto death. “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Philippians 2:8” I am thankful that Jesus provides salvation. Amen.

Mark 11:9 says, “And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:” Yes, blessed is Jesus He is both God in the flesh and the Savior of all humans. He died and rose again. I’m thankful that Jesus did the work of God needed for salvation. In Jesus Name Amen.

In order to go to Heaven we must be reborn Jesus tells us, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:33”. When Jesus died on the cross all of our past, and old life was destroyed on the cross. “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (Romans 6:3).” “…Christ was raised from the dead…(Romans 6:4)” What does all that mean? It, means that in Christ we have become a new person. It uses the metaphor of death and being baptized into his death to represent a death to our sinful desires and a “born again” soul that it being shaped into the image of the Creator; God. By, keeping God’s commands we show that we love Him as Jesus put it, “If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15).” That then means we are not, “…under law but under grace…(Romans 6:15).” We, see that we are not judged by the law of God, we are free in Him. Does this give us a license to sin? The Bible says, “…By no means!,..(Romans 6:15)…” There is a fine balance between justification by faith and good works. The moment we put our trust in ourselves rather than God we have given ourselves over to our sinful nature. We can not be justified without faith, as the Bible puts it, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)” The Bible teaches that we are rewarded for our good works, and that God will not forget them. It teaches that when we put our trust in Christ as the Creator of our faith we are forgiven. When, we do good works God smiles upon us as it is evidence that He is actively working in our lives and that we have surrendered to Him. May, we always remember that the, “…free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23).” Amen.

In various passages in the Bible we learn that Jesus was humble he did not “cling (Philippians 2:6)” to his deity as something to boast about. Although, Jesus was 100% God in the flesh when asked he stated in Mark 10:17-22, “…No one is good but God alone.” Why did he make this statement you might ask? Jesus is not saying that He himself is not good, he is expressing the concept goodness and that the man he is speaking to is not perfect. That is why the man went away sad (Mark 10:22), although the man he was speaking to had done much good by keeping many of the commandments the ruler had forgot to obey the most important commandment! To love, God with all his heart, soul and mind. This was a man of great wealth who valued riches over God. Jesus is teaching us and the ruler here that goodness flows not from a man’s deeds, but instead from God Himself. Jesus is good. And it necessarily follows that if Jesus is indeed good by this standard, Jesus is proclaiming His deity.

Although, we are all sinners the good news is God wants to help us come to be forgiven! He loves us so much that Jesus came to die on the cross for our sins (also rose from the dead). The Bible says, “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need to be be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to that the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.” (John 3:16-17).

Jesus speaks in John 16:33 about how we will endure tribulations. John 16:33, ESV: I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. From that passage we learn that Jesus overcame the world through paying for our sins, on the cross and rising from the dead. He lived a sinless life and will come again someday soon. I’m thankful for that. Amen

Acts 17:11 says, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” From that we learn it is important to study the Scripture to make sure if what we hear preached is true. We should also be ready in mind to hear what the Lord is speaking to us. Amen

God said in Jeremiah 29:11 that He knows the plans He has for us, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” John 3:16 Tells us God loved us so much that He gave His life for us. “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28”.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Jesus teaches us that tomorrow will take care of itself and Philippians teaches us that we should be in prayer and thankful to God for everything. God loves us and if our requests are in His will He will honor them. I’m thankful to God for his grace, mercy and love. Amen