Category Archives: Who is God?

Who is God and who are we in him?

Who is God?

Christ Emptied Himself of What?

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Christ Emptied Himself

It has always been a great debate for centuries among Christians as to whether Jesus is God, merely human or if he is both God and man. This is one of the greatest issues that has divided the Christian church. It is important that we understand what this is all about. We have to realize and understand that only a God can save all of humanity because his life is worth more than all the whole world. And if Christ emptied himself of his divinity at the cross — if he was not God — then his human life can only save one person.

“Christ Emptied Himself” Explained

Actually, the context of Phil. 2:5-11 — which is a hymn — shows that Jesus “emptied himself” by going down to our human level accepting ridicule and shame remaining lowly and humble unto death. The context of this passage is about what “attitude” (verse 5) the Philippians ought to have as Paul exhorted them.

Christ did not “empty himself” of divinity and became a human being only. Rather, he “emptied himself” of the prerogatives of divinity. He did not use his great powers as a divine being but allowed himself to be ridiculed and put to death showing humility. That is the context of Phil. 2:7 where we find the word, “emptied himself.”

The Person of Christ

When he died on the cross, it was the person Jesus Christ, who is the Word, who is both God and man, and who is the Son of God who died on the cross. As theologian Jeff McSwain said, “It’s two natures in one person. Christ assumed our corrupt depraved humanity and he always remained God, pure and holy and unblemished the whole time.” Or as Gregory of Nazianzus said, “God crucified.” Since only God could save the whole world and since only humans can die, we have a perfect Savior in Jesus Christ who is both God and man.

Who is God?

Cybermissions and Internet Evangelism

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Internet: A New Mission Field

William Carey

Nowadays, we do get to hear of new words coming up or coined together to express something new or something not done before. “Cybermissions” is one of those words. What does this new word mean? Well, as the famous missionary William Carey once wrote in his little book with a long title, that we should use every possible “means” to reach out to peoples everywhere and fulfill the great commission. So now before us, is a new frontier— cyberspace! That is, the internet!

Cybermissions, A New Frontier

It used to be that missionaries took a lot of preparation, time, money and effort to go to foreign lands to preach the gospel. These traditional ways of doing missions are much appreciated and continue to be of great importance. But times have changed and with the coming of the internet, a new and additional “means” of sharing the gospel has come of age. A new and additional frontier for missions has suddenly presented itself. Thus, cybermissions! Where traditional missionaries cannot go, “cybermissionaries” can make a difference — through the internet.

We must not be limited by traditional means. Let us all explore how we can actively participate in cybermissions and/or internet evangelism. Some countries inaccessible to the gospel can now be reached easily through the internet. Any non-Christian in the privacy of his home in his own country can access your local church website (if you have one) and learn about the gospel. Using Skype or Yahoo, a non-Christian can easily communicate with you “face to face” on video if he wants to and that would be a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel. Some now call it as cybermissions.

What will your Church do about it?

These are just my random thoughts but the potential for an individual or for a local church to share the gospel through the internet is great! I’m no expert in either cybermissions or internet evangelism but all I’m saying is, maybe this is something that our local churches, missionaries, mission agencies and the like, should also consider more deeply aside from the normal way of doing missions and evangelism.

Maybe we need to inform our church leaders about the value of internet evangelism. I am surprised that internet evangelism is a low priority in so many churches and there’s almost no budget allocated for this new means of preaching and sharing the gospel.

Just my thoughts.

More Info on Internet Evangelism:

Life & Love, Who is God?

The Imperative follows the indicative

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Understanding the imperative and indicative statements found in the Bible is another key to getting a better overview of God’s intent and purpose for all of humanity. Some Christians get confused about the importance of good works in the life of a Christian. Some overvalue good works and say it is a requirement for salvation. On the other hand, some may undervalue it and and say that good works are not important. Some may think of it along these lines.

Imperative and Indicative Explained

So, what are imperative and indicative statements in the Bible? How are these two statements related? Well, simply stated, an indicative statement is a statement of fact. It tells us of what is already true in the Bible. It is a statement of reality. An imperative statement on the other hand is more of a command. It tells us what ought to be, what ought to be done—or not done. And yes, these two are related in the Bible. This is usually the pattern we see in Scripture.

Here are some examples. Paul said that God has “justified us freely by his grace” (Romans 3:24). He also said that “we have been justified through faith” (Romans 5:1). These are statements of what is already true in Christians. These are indicative statements. Paul was telling the believers who they already were in Christ.

In view of this fact, Paul then asked, “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” (Romans 6:1) Of course not! That’s what Paul essentially said in verse 2 in answer to his own question. This is an indirect way of saying “Don’t continue sinning. That’s wrong. That’s not the way it ought to be.” That is the imperative side of the coin.

Paul then explained in the rest of the chapter the need for righteous living in view of the fact that Christians were already in Christ — justified by grace through faith. In view of what is already true in Christians (indicative), they ought to behave accordingly (imperative) — based on who they were in Christ.

For another example in Romans 8, Paul continued to explain that these believers had already received the Spirit (Rom. 8:15) — the indicative statement — therefore they had an “obligation” to live according to the leading of the Holy Spirit and not according to the flesh (Rom. 8:12) — the imperative statement.

Become Who You Really Are!

Since Christians are already a new creation in Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:17), Paul was telling them to become who they really were! — as children of God, in Christ — Christians. Since Christians know that God’s love for them is so great and that they are his beloved children (indicative), the apostle John encouraged them to purify (imperative) themselves (1 John 3:1-3).

Christians should not go on sinning (imperative) John added. They were supposed to be “born again” Christians and therefore they should not continue living and practicing sin as a way of life (1 John 3:9). It is incompatible for a Christian to live an ungodly life.

This is essentially what Paul was telling Christians when he said that “grace (indicative) teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness (imperative) (Titus 2:11-13).

In view of the indicative statements found in the Bible about who we already are in Jesus Christ, it is imperative upon us Christians to do that which is right before God. We don’t do “good works” in order to for us get reconciled back to God. Rather, we do “good works” because he has already reconciled us back to him! (2 Cor. 5;18-20).

We do “good works” because it is the right thing to do and the proper response to God’s love and grace that he has lavishly and freely given to us through Jesus Christ! This is essentially the important point which some get confused over. Since we are already in Christ (indicative), let’s act like one not contrary to it (imperative).

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Updated: 8/8/17

Who is God?

The Shack Reread

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Wow! There’s really great value in rereading a book or any article. I was inspired by reading C. Baxter’s Kruger’s book on The Shack Revisited. In this book, Baxter expanded and explained the Trinitarian theology behind the book, The Shack. This led me of course to reading the book back again.

The ShackRereading The Shack gave me a better grasp about this very interesting story. Why has this book captivated the minds of many without even advertising it? It just spread like wildfire through word of mouth! It has become a best-seller. Well, it’s a fictional story about Mackenzie or Mack—the main character—about his ups and downs, his life’s struggles and encounter with the Triune God of love. Any man can relate well with what Mack went through. Love, joy, hate, vengeance, suffering, death, injustice—these are what we all see and experience as we go through life. At times we can ask if there is really a God out there. Who is God anyway? Why does he allow suffering, sickness and death—and wars!— without intervening in human affairs? What about freedom of choice? Does God really care? Is God the Father a stern God checking who’s naughty or nice while Jesus is the good guy appeasing the Father’s wrath on humankind? These are what comes to mind as I read The Shack back again.

The Shack, Inspiring Fiction

While The Shack is fiction, it has a lot of precious truths in it—nuggets of wisdom—and a lot of true-to-life experiences that all of us humans go through in life. Surely William Paul Young was inspired by the Lord to come up with such an intriguing story that captivated my heart and mind. Of course, not all are happy with William P. Young’s book calling it heresy and he has received hate mails as well. But as for me, he is a great writer who has helped explain who God truly and really is—the loving Father, Son and Holy Spirit who wants to include all of humanity into their life and love for all eternity.

William P. Young Video Interview:

Who is God?

The Shack Revisited and The Shack

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The Shack Revisited

The Shack Revisited

C. Baxter Kruger’s book, The Shack Revisited kept me engrossed these past few days reading, thinking, pondering about all that I have been learning from him since August 2007. It also reminded me of what he said in one of his 30-minute video interviews that “it’s like drinking in a fire hydrant” to talk about a big topic in so short a time. In this book, there’s so much to learn and too many wonderful things mentioned that it may take a lot of time—maybe a lifetime—to fully grasp and understand everything.

Baxter relates how he got so captivated by the bestselling book, The Shack he wanted to meet the author himself, William Paul Young. They eventually became good friends. Paul Young graciously helped in the making of Baxter’s new book.

The Shack

The Shack

Baxter’s book is somewhat more of a theological explanation and elaboration (citing Scripture and various theologians) of Paul Young’s book which according to Paul himself is fiction which he originally wrote for his children. It doesn’t mean though that Paul Young’s book has no solid theological foundations. It is for this reason I think that Baxter got fascinated with the book and got him interested to get to know “the William P. Young” himself, in person—a person who wrote so well about theological truths in a fictional story. Both authors are great theologians in so far as I’m concerned.

The main thing that is really wonderful for me to know in The Shack Revisited is that God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit is love. This God who is love is eternally in loving relationship with each other such that they are one—mutually indwelling one another. And the wonderful thing is that this loving Father, Son and Holy Spirit has included me (and all of mankind) into that loving relationship through Jesus Christ. It’s so amazing. This is the “truth of my being.” May this be my “way of being” as I yield to the Lord. With God’s help, it will be.

Baxter ends his book, The Shack Revisited with this paragraph:

  • “Holy Spirit, have your way with us, that we may feel the squeeze of Jesus’ hand and hear his Father shout our name. Do what you must, that we may repent and believe and so taste and feel and experience the life and freedom of our adoption in Jesus.”

I say, “Amen and Amen!”