Tuesday August 24, 2010

Read Colossians 1:15-17

It’s quite possible that a member of a heretical religious group claiming to be Christian will one day knock on your door and tell you that Jesus is not God but rather is the first created being. They will probably also quote today’s verse, arguing that if Jesus were the first born of God, then He must have been created just like your firstborn son.

How would you refute them? How would you prove to them that Jesus is indeed God and was co-eternal with the Father? Could you show them the fallacy of their argument?

To begin, we need to understand that first born does not refer to time but to status and position. David was by no means the first born son of Jesse. He was in fact, the last born. He was by no means the first King God appointed in Israel.  And yet in Psalm 89:27 we see that God will appoint him the first born son. David is given a position and dignity above all others! When Jesus is called ‘the first born’ it refers to His dignity and position. He is the one who created all things. He is the one who has rule over all creatures, both visible (earthly) and invisible (spiritual) and also over all authorities and rulers and powers.

Added to this, we need to realise that many passages talk of Jesus being God. Here’s a few passages for you to peruse and pray about. Cultic groups will twist these verses to prove their own point but persevere and always read verses in their context.

Romans 9:5, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 1:8, John 1:18,  John 10:30-33, Revelation 1:8 cf 1:18. John 20:26-29. (be careful not to fall into the trap of believing that Thomas was simply speaking in bewilderment or any similar arguments).

The simple reality is that you and I need to know our Bibles well. We need to be able to prove our case beyond reasonable doubt whenever the need arises. And don’t be fooled. It’s not just cultic groups that have false beliefs. Non believers hold false beliefs in their head and heart and they often militantly seek to prove their point to anyone who would listen. You and I must be able to refute them and uphold the biblical truth.

Prayer:-

ü Pray for the mission week and kids game week coming up in September. Ask God to bring along many many people to hear the gospel. Pray that everyone in your congregation would be willing and ready to make the most of every opportunity.

ü Pray for David Jerald in India Bible Mission as he brings many Tamils to the Lord. Pray that these new converts will be grounded in the faith and will grow and mature quickly so that they too can go out making converts for the Lord.

MEAT 4  THE MATURE

Prepare a written answer, incorporating bible verses, to refute the idea that Jesus is the first created being and is not God.

Show your answer to another believer and pray for opportunities to share your answer with a non believer.