Is Jesus Christ your God, your Saviour?
If you are like some Christians, you may not have a confident answer.
But if anyone asks you, do you believe in Jesus Christ?
You may say yes.
But when asked if that makes a difference in the way you live your daily life,
you may not have an emphatic answer.
There are some Christians who are like you.
They believe in Jesus Christ. They know He is God.
They go to church on Sundays.
Most often it’s a routine.
They do not have any relationship with Jesus Christ.
On enquiring further, we find that Jesus Christ is not their God in reality. Often, some Christians do not realise that the question (question: Is Jesus Christ your God?) itself is significant.
Here are a few crumbs of truth to help you understand and take a strong stand on Jesus Christ. The following will help you start the journey to develop a strong relationship with Jesus Christ.
1. Is Jesus Christ a historical figure?
2. What do you say about the divine nature of Jesus Christ?
3. What does it mean to have Jesus Christ as your God and Saviour?
4. What is the relationship with Jesus you should aspire for?
5. Which scripture points to the relationship between you and Jesus?
6. Are you certain that Jesus Christ is within you?
7. What happens to those who reject Jesus Christ as their God?
8. Are there any benefits of having Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour?
1. Is Jesus Christ a historical figure?
Jesus Christ is a historic figure. Jesus was born between 6 and 4 BC in Bethlehem, and he died 33 years later in Jerusalem. Jesus was born a Galilean from the village of Nazareth. Herod the Great was the ruler at that time.
Jesus Christ is not a mythical figure or imaginary.
Before the birth of Jesus, many had foretold about Jesus Christ. These were from 100’s of years ago. The Book of Isaiah, from the Old Testament portion of the Bible, was written 750 years before the birth of Jesus, among other books.
The details predicted include specific and unique details about Jesus’s birth to a virgin, certain aspects of his life, death, and resurrection. When you get hold of a Bible, you may like to read Isaiah 7:14 to read about the birth of Jesus. In the book of Micah 5:2 we read that the birthplace was predicted to be Bethlehem. Micah was a prophet 800 years before the birth of Jesus. Even the way Jesus would turn deep darkness and oppression into joy and light is mentioned in Isaiah 9:1 . The betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver is foretold in Zechariah 11:12. The book of Zechariah was written 500 years before Jesus was born. The crucifixion of Jesus with pierced hands and feet is foretold in Psalm 22, Zechariah 12:10.
Over 50 prophecies about Jesus, given by various prophets and others, are available in the Holy Bible, in the Old Testament.
Professor of Mathematics John Lennox (Oxford University) points to the Bible (Old Testament), which has over 300 references to the Messiah that were fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
2. What do you say about the divine nature of Jesus Christ?
Jesus Christ was born and lived as a human being.
Fully aware that He was the son of God.
Yet He was fully man all through His life on earth.
He knew He had to fulfill his father’s will for His life.
Fully focused, he knew the purpose for which He was born.
Here are a few instances where we get to know that He was aware of His divine nature.
This is what Jesus told the disciples, who were concerned as He had not eaten food for a long time. Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. ( John 4:34 NKJV)
Jesus’s parents had returned to the temple, searching for Jesus. They realised that they had probably lost him for three days since they had returned from the temple. Read the interesting conversation between Jesus and His mother. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought you anxiously.” 49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business (house)?” (Luke 2:46-49 NKJV) Jesus knew who had sent Him. This was on top of his mind – not only when he was a child, but all through His life. He lived a purpose-driven life.
When John the Baptist had baptized Jesus, the Spirit of God descended as a dove, and a voice from heaven spoke about the identity of Jesus.
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”(Matthew 3:16-17 NKJV) This scripture portion shows our Heavenly Father’s approval of Jesus Christ and his actions.
One specific Sabbath, when Jesus went to the synagogue, he stood to read the book of Isaiah, a portion which prophesied about Him. He got to the portion and read the specific prophecy. After reading the portion, He announced boldly, today the scripture is fulfilled in their hearing.
16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4: 16-21 NKJV)
Jesus made it very clear to people whom he came across in the Jewish temples and outside – who He was, reminding them about the prophecy about Him and also through the healings, signs, and wonders He carried out.
Even when at the cross, Jesus spoke about His assignment being finished, signifying that the purpose for which he had been born as a man, was achieved.
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. (John 19:28-30 NKJV)
3. What does it mean to have Jesus Christ as your God and Saviour?
When a person has Jesus Christ as God and Saviour, the following become our experience and truth.
1) Trusting Jesus Christ as God and Saviour, trusting Him above everything.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths”. (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)
Trusting in the Lord is a default behaviour of all who have accepted Jesus Christ as God, Jesus Christ as the Lord. This also means having Jesus Christ as the name above all names.
Calling Jesus “Lord” comes from respect and acknowledgement of His divine nature. Philippians 2:11 says, “every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”.
The title “Saviour” conveys Jesus’s role in delivering us from sin and eternal separation from God. John 3:16 affirms this role of Jesus: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This highlights the belief that through Jesus, we receive forgiveness and eternal life.
Declaring Jesus as “Lord and Saviour” is not merely a statement of belief; this expresses a commitment to follow Jesus’s teachings and to live according to His will. Ideally, this is to shape their behaviour and relationship with others.
Romans 10:9 reminds us of faith and salvation of a Christian: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This connects faith in Jesus and the assurance of salvation.
In summary, the phrase “Jesus as God (Lord) and Saviour” sums up the core of Christian faith, emphasizing His divine authority and the transformative power of His redemptive work in the lives of Christians.
2) Knowing that Jesus Christ is almighty, all-powerful. His name is above all names.
Trust in the power of Jesus Christ is an important aspect of having Jesus Christ as God and Saviour. His name is also above every other name.
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Matthew 28:18(ESV)
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9–11)
This is a major reason why Jesus Christ is trusted with all the heart – since the power and authority of His name is higher than any other name. Note it does not speak about trusting God with one’s mind – with reason or logic. But trusting God with all of one’s heart.
3) Loving Jesus Christ with all of our hearts, for He loved us first. We love those around us.
When Jesus was asked the greatest commandment, this was the first one He stated. Jesus said to him, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” ( Matthew 22:37)
God so loved us that He sent Jesus Christ to be crucified and die on the cross for our sins, transgressions, oppressions, wages of our sin, to redeem us from being slaves to sin into freedom in Christ. Accepting Jesus as our God and Saviour, we receive eternal life.
This is the largest Gift Box we will ever receive as we accept Jesus as God and Saviour.
We love Him, because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19 AMPC)
When Jesus was asked which was the most important commandment. After telling the first and most important commandment of loving God with all our being, He told us it was to love our neighbour as ourselves. Here is the verse.
And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as [you do] yourself.
These two commandments sum up and upon them depend all the Law and the Prophets. ( Matthew 22:39-40 AMPC)
The importance of this is such that the following can be used as a litmus test in checking if we are truly loving our neighbour/ brother.
20 If anyone says, I love God, and hates (detests, abominates) his brother [[i]in Christ], he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
21 And this command (charge, order, injunction) we have from Him: that he who loves God shall love his brother [believer] also. (1 John 4:20-21 AMPC)
4. What is the relationship with Jesus you should aspire for?
Jesus Christ is our role model, and we are His disciples. Our aspirations are what we see in the life of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me. (John 14:6 AMPC)
As our teacher, He was called “Raboni” in the Aramaic language, which means “teacher” or “master.”
Jesus did what He saw the Father do.
Jesus spoke the words of Father God.
Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me? What I am telling you I do not say on My own authority and of My own accord; but the Father Who lives continually in Me does the (His) works (His own miracles, deeds of power). (John 14:10 AMPC)
He said that He who has seen Him, has seen the Father.
Jesus replied, Have I been with all of you for so long a time, and do you not recognise and know Me yet, Philip? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say then, Show us the Father? (John 14:9 AMPC)
Jesus Christ expects us to have His words to be our ongoing thoughts/meditation. That is why the word abide was used in the verse. Once we abide in His words, our conversations and actions become aligned to His will. We reach a place where our desires please Him, and the desire is granted. John 15:7 says If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. (John 15:7 AMPC)
Jesus expects us to do signs, wonders and miracles that Jesus performed and even greater things.
This is made clear once again when Jesus told this.
I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father. (John 14:12 AMPC)
Jesus thus desires us to have a very fulfilled life where our words, our actions, our desires, fulfilment of desires – all these please Him. For this, knowing Him is important. You may like to read the Gospel of John. You would have to read it routinely and think and contemplate on it to desire change within – thoughts, words and actions.
Jesus Christ calls us friends. He tells us all things. This is a greatly privileged relationship that He has given us. Are you a friend of Jesus? Do you love Him and have you accepted Him as the Lord and Saviour?
14 You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do.
15 I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.] (John 15:14-15 AMPC)
Many wretched persons like me have been changed. You too can step into this. Your present life is not of any consequence. Provided we accept His cross and confess all our shortcomings. He is the faithful one. He is more than sufficient.
5. Which scripture points to the relationship between you and Jesus?
Jesus Christ is the true vine. God the Father is the vine dresser. We are the branches.
As we bear fruit, He prunes us so we bear more fruit. We abide in Him so we are fruitful. Thus its a very connected and abiding relationship that we are to have with Him.
It’s not once in a year relationship of attending Christmas or Easter Church service. It’s not once in a week relationship when you go to Church on Sundays or Saturdays. Its daily and routine dwelling.
4 Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.
5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. ( John 15: 4-5 AMPC)
We can encounter Jesus Christ through the Word of God – the very Bible and the Holy Spirt.
In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. ( John 1:1 AMPC)
Conditional Presence of the Holy Spirit.
When we love Jesus Christ and keep His commandments, Jesus Christ prays to the Father for us to have the Holy Spirit to abide with us always.
15 If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands.
16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever—
17 The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you.
18 I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]; I will come [back] to you. (John 14:15-18 AMPC)
The Holy Spirit teaches us all things and reminds us what Jesus has told.
But the Comforter (Counsellor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. (John 14:26AMPC)
God has also elevated us as co-heirs of Jesus Christ. This is so beautiful and marvellous beyond imagination. As we are led by the Spirit of God, we are sons of God.14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. These are so precious and significant relationship status.
15 For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father!
16 The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God.
17 And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory. (Romans 8:15-17 AMPC)
Some Christians do not walk with the understanding and daily awareness of these truths. Let us change this be dwelling on these truths and receiving and living in the truth.
The love Jesus Christ is amazingly great. No one has greater love than what Jesus Christ has for us.
13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. (John 15:13AMPC)
These are beautiful truths that we need to understand with every cell of being. Then we would just be singing and dancing in our spirits all day and night. Such a sweet assurance of importance we can never have from anywhere or anything else.
6. Are you certain that Jesus Christ is within you?
The peace one has as Jesus Christ abides is unique and different from that of the world. Circumstances and situations do not matter at all.
The peace from Jesus Christ, the Prince of Christ, is from heaven and is not effected with striving all around, and even when there is war around us and even when plagues thrive around.
Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] (John 14:27AMPC)
Always being in Joy is a great pointer to the presence of Jesus Christ within us.
In the presence of the Lord, there is fullness of joy. Being in the presence of God alone is required. All these verses show that Joy in God is not dependent on situations and circumstances. It’s dependent on our relationship of obedience and trust in Jesus Christ.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it”. (Psalm 118:24)
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11)
Being filled with hope is also a sign that Jesus Christ is our Lord.
As we have Jesus Christ, we know He is always with us, His love for us is more than anyone else’s. We know He never leaves us. He not only made us friends and also a co-hire of heavenly riches. We know all things are possible for those who believe. “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26 ESV)
Here are a few more verses that give keys to build your hope.
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love. (Psalm 33:18 )
In his name, the nations will put their hope. (Matthew 12:2 )
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalm 25:5 )
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. (Jeremiah 17:7 )
But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Saviour; my God will hear me. (Micah 7:7 )
7. What happens to those who reject Jesus Christ as their God?
If a person does not love Jesus Christ, he does not keep the words of Jesus Christ. Whereas when a person loves Jesus Christ, they will keep the words of Jesus Christ and Father God and Jesus Christ will make their home in Him.
Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him.
Anyone who does not [really] love Me does not observe and obey My teaching. And the teaching which you hear and heed is not Mine, but [comes] from the Father Who sent Me. (John 14:23-24AMPC)
If a person does not abide in Christ Jesus, then they are rejected and do not have eternal life.
If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:6 AMPC)
8. Are there any benefits of having Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour?
We have a wholesome life and become abundantly fruitful. Peace, joy and hope in and through Jesus Christ become our portion.
I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. (John 15:5 AMPC)
Our starting place is in triumph through Christ Jesus – by His victory through the cross. We also get to become the fragrance of the knowledge of God as well as the sweet fragrance of Jesus Christ.
But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere,
For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which exhales] unto God, [discernible alike] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:14,15 AMPC)
The Holy Spirit tells us things to happen, gives us counsel and tells us all things. We receive the Holy Spirit only because Jesus Christ prays to the Father God if we love Jesus and obey His commands. Jesus is never leaves us as orphans.
But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. (John 14:26 AMPC)
If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever—(John 14:15,16 AMPC)
The list is long, and you had better get into a journey of discovery. A different blog post will be written on this and will be linked here.
