My List Of New Year's Resolution(s)

"Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." - John 20:30-31 ESV

Yes.

Jesus is 'the Christ' and it is important to the writer that each of us know this. He sees it as vital.

The phrase 'Christ Jesus' is used 58 times in the Bible.
'Jesus Christ' is used 187 times.
Some other combination of the two words 'Jesus' and 'Christ' 301 times (such as the verse quoted above).

'The Christ' is the anointed One. He Is the One who was prophesied to come and save Israel. Jesus reveals who this person Is. Jesus gives Him a name. We need to know that name. People were anointed before Jesus but no one was 'The Anointed One'. Only Jesus holds that title.

"And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds." - 2 Corinthians 11:12-15 ESV

Um... Wow.

Paul sees a light in the world that is not 'The Light'.

Not all light that illuminates is 'Jesus Christ' illumination. I find it interesting that the writer uses the phrase 'apostles of Christ' and not 'apostles of Jesus' or some other phrase. Jesus is His personal name.

Compassion divorced from Jesus does not impress me. Knowledge divorced from God gives light but is it the full spectrum of Light? Are we dazzled by it?

In 2019 'Jesus' and 'Christ' are one person to me and He Is who I will lift up. The full dimension of who He Is has been my salvation and that Is the light that will bring salvation.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." - Hebrews 13:8 ESV

"This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." - Acts 4:11-12 ESV

Moral power isn't my goal. Plucking people's heartstrings is not lasting. The knowledge of the deity of Jesus transforms and that is and will be my message. It is the only thing on my list of new years resolutions.

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