Foundations of Faith
GOD THE SON (III)
Practically every student of the Word of God would agree that the Lord Jesus Christ did not sin during His life here on earth. But a debate has been going on for centuries as to whether the Lord Jesus could have sinned. Some teach that just as the first Adam had the capability of sinning, so the Last Adam, Jesus Christ, because He was fully Man, had this same capability.
What does the Bible say about this? First, not only does it say that Christ “did no sin” (1 Pet. 2:22), but that He “knew no sin” (2 Cor. 5:21) and “in Him is no sin” (1 John 3:5).
Second, in several places Christ is called “holy” (Luke 1:34; Acts 3:14; Heb. 7:26). Holiness supposes the knowledge of good and evil and total separation from the evil (2 Tim. 2:21). Adam is never referred to as “holy.”
Third, Christ was and is fully God as well as fully Man. If it were possible for Him to sin, then it would also be possible for God to sin.
Fourth, some argue that Christ’s temptation in the wilderness by Satan had no meaning if Christ was incapable of yielding to that temptation. But that is not a valid argument. If one tests a bright metal to see if it is gold and it turns out to be pure gold, was it foolish to do the test in the first place? Just so, Christ’s temptation by Satan only helped to prove His sinless perfection.
Fifth, in 1 John 3:9 we read, “Whosoever is born of God … cannot sin, because he is born of God.” If the believer possesses a new, Christ-like nature that “cannot sin,” then surely Christ Himself, whose nature we possess, could not sin. (Further information on this topic may be obtained from the editor of GROWING.)
There is a vast amount of important instruction to be gained from a study of the teachings, life, and death of Christ. We could very well take another year or two in GROWING discussing these things. However, we shall wait and take up different teachings of Christ as they tie in with basic biblical doctrines that will be considered in later issues of GROWING. Also, we shall delay a detailed study of the death of Christ until we come to the doctrine of salvation. That leaves us with the life of Christ to consider here.
We all are well aware of the tremendous importance of the death and resurrection of Christ as regards our eternal salvation. But what about His life? Is there value to the Christian in learning how Christ lived His life as a Man on earth?
One characteristic of the life of Christ that is of utmost importance has already been considered earlier in this issue as well as the July issue. This is the absolute sinlessness of Christ. He would not have qualified as the Saviour of sinners had He possessed the tiniest hint of sin in Himself.
As to Christ’s life in general, we are taught that He is our example for us to follow. Now some of you may ask, “How can I follow an example like that when He is God and I am only human?” The simple answer is this:He asks you to. And whenever God asks the believer to do something, we can be absolutely certain that He will supply all of the needed power and ability to do it. (See Assignment 13)
Space will permit only a bare outline of the many ways in which Christ’s life is an example for our lives:
1. He did not sin (John 8:46; 14:30; 19:4,6; 1 Pet. 2:22).
2.He obeyed His parents (Luke 2:51).
3. He obeyed His heavenly Father (John 4:34; 6:38; 8:28,29).
4.He is pure and holy (Heb. 7:26; 1 John 3:3).
1. Toward His parents (Luke 8:19-21; John 19:26,27).
2. Toward dinner hosts (Luke 7:44-46; 10:38-42).
3. Toward children (Matt. 18:1-5; Mark 10:13-16).
4. Toward social outcasts (Matt. 9:9-13; John 4:9).
1. He was self-sacrificing (Matt. 8:20; John 4:31-34).
2. He was meek (Matt. 11:29; Mark 15:3).
3. He was humble (Matt. 11:29; John 13:14,15; Phil. 2:5-8).
4. He was sensitive and compassionate (John 11:35).
5. He had peace and self-composure (Mark 4:37,38; John 18:3-6).
1. He listened and asked questions (Luke 2:46).
2. He did not yield to Satan’s temptations (Matt. 4:1-11).
3. He dealt wisely with souls in need of salvation (John 4).
4. He spent much time in prayer (Matt. 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12).
5. He didn’t act precipitously or rashly (John 11:1-6,17).
6. He spoke encouraging words (Matt. 8:10; 15:28; John 1:47; 14:1-3,16-18,27).
1. He was patient (1 Pet. 2:20-23).
2. He was calm and gentle and held His peace (Matt. 26:50,63; 27:12-14).
3. He forgave His enemies (Luke 23:34).
4. He withdrew or hid Himself from His enemies (Matt. 12:14,15; John 10:39,40).
5. He reasoned with His opponents (Matt. 12:1-8,10-12; 15:1-6; 22:23-46).
1. He rebuked those with wrong thoughts about Himself (Matt. 16:21-23; Luke 9:52-56).
2. He patiently instructed self-centered ones (Luke 9:46-48; 22:24-27).
3. He showed anger toward hypocrites and those who dishonored His Father (Matt. 23:23,27,28; John 2:13-16).
1. He was a tireless preacher (Mark 1:21-35).
2. He often spoke in parables (Matt. 13; 20:1-16; Luke 15).
3. He was never satisfied with doing less than the best (Matt. 8:15,26; Mark 6:34-44; John 2:10).
4. He ministered personally by touch to those whom He healed (Mark 1:31; 7:33; 8:23; 9:27; Luke 5:13; 13:13).
5. He performed many miracles in private, without a stage (Mark 7:36; 8:26; Luke 5:14; 8:56).
It is an immensely profitable study to go through the four Gospels and notice how the Lord Jesus lived His life and responded in a whole variety of situations. What a challenge it is to each one of us to seek to live our daily lives as Christ lived His. Let us be learning continually to ask ourselves, “What would Jesus have said or done in these circumstances?” And let us daily ask the Lord to help us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to walk just as Christ walked.
Running the Race
Assignment 13: Find and write out four verses–one in each of John 13, Philippians 2, 1 Peter 2, and 1 John 2–that indicate that Christians are to follow Christ’s example in their lives and walk.