LETTER TO JOANIE

Joanie,

I have been wanting to write to you for a long time. It distresses me that you do not believe in the Deity of Jesus Christ, as this precludes you from Salvation! (John 8:24) I beg that you bear with me, and read what I have written. I put forward no doctrine of my own – only the Holy Scriptures, the infallible word of God.

It must be understood that one Divine Person became Man, became the Son, in order to reveal God to man (John 1:18). He became us (Hebrews 7:26) – What was He before?: “Who, subsisting in the form of God, did not esteem it an object of rapine to be on an equality with God; but emptied himself, taking a bondman’s form, taking his place in the likeness of men; and having been found in figure as man,” (Philippians 2:6-8).

Thus One who was and is God, became a man, and as Man, fully took the place of a man. Hence Paul refers to “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:17) and indeed the Lord Himself refers to “my God and your God” (John 20:17).

But while scripture mainly refers to the Lord Jesus as Man it also carefully guards His deity.

Firstly, John’s gospel:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” I know you have a different reading, but you should check the Greek original. John goes on to say, “All things received being through him, and without him not one thing received being which has received being.” Only one who is God has creatorial power.

John again in his epistle says, “He is the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20).

His name is Emmanuel – meaning God with us (Matthew 1:23).

Paul says, “God has been manifested in flesh” (1 Timothy 3:16), and says we should be “awaiting the blessed hope and appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:13).

As to Christ being born a Jew, he says, “and of whom, as according to flesh, is the Christ, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” (Romans 9:5) – it cannot be put more plainly than that!

Philippians 2 I have already quoted.

So too the writer of the Hebrews insists on His deity:

“But as to the Son, Thy throne O God, is to the age of age,” (Hebrews 1:8), and again, “But thou art the Same,” [The Same is a name of God. Lit. ‘Thou HE’. See Deuteronomy 32:39, Psalm 102:27]

Lastly, consider the Lord spoken of prophetically in Isaiah 9: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name is called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace” (v. 6). Thus prophecy is clear that there would be one born, who also would be Son, whose name is “Almighty God”. No mere man could be called by that name!

Who but One who is fully God, and fully Man, could be the mediator between God and men? (1 Timothy 2:5), or who but such a One could die, but also raise Himself? (John 2:19-21). Who but a Man who is God in His Person, could lie in the earth in death, but also ascend up above all the heavens!? (beyond the created sphere) !! (Ephesians 4:9-10)

May you, like Thomas, believe and say, “My Lord and my God,” for your eternal salvation and blessing!

Faithfully,
Jared