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Is Jesus sufficient? Is God's Word enough to prove that?
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Indeed, Thanks Kym. It all comes down to God's word as a reliable source to prove and sustain Jesus sufficiency.I do believe Jesus and the Bible is very trixie though.
If we do not believe in the sufficiency of Christ, we cannot be disciples within the context of how Jesus described those who believe in Him. Christ is our sufficiency in every way. Paul talks, however, about "completing the sufferings of Christ" - Colossians 1:24.
I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church
Clearly, Paul is not implying Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and intercession for our sake is not sufficient. What are our thoughts on Paul's statement?
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Mr. O is much simpler. :cDI'll comment tomorrow. Fun stuff.
Kymberly wrote: "Can I quote you on that Mr. O? (Sorry I forget how to spell your name when I got to comment)"Yes you can Kymberly. Consider the following text:
And you are complete in Him (Jesus), who is the head of all principality and power - Colossians 2:10
This is from Paul as well so when he refers to completing what is lacking, I do not think he can be implying insufficiency of Jesus' sinless life, death, resurrection, and atonement.
Look forward to Rod's comments.
Is the Bible trixie? You bet it is.Can a 8 year old read it get the purpose and meaning of Jesus? Of course.
Can a thousand Bible scholars create numerous Universities and confuse and distort absolutely every passage of the entire Bible? YES, they do this daily.
Here's a verse that always fascinated me: Amos 8
11“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD,
“when I will send a famine on the land—
not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of the LORD.
12They shall wander from sea to sea,
and from north to east;
they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the LORD,
but they shall not find it.
...and yet it might be right in front of them.
Muslims say scripture does not prove Jesus is God.
Liberal Christians say scripture isn't clear or factual.
Atheists say scripture is collected myth.
Charismatics say scripture is magic spells and power.
Buddhists say scripture is only ONE path up the mountain.
Scholars say scripture is only ideas and cultures.
Jesus' disciples state that scripture is the VERY WORD OF GOD for HIS people.
And just for fun... I love this verse too!Luke 16:
…29"But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.' 30"But he said, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!' 31"But he said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.'"
And very few listen to Moses and the Prophets. If someone truly loves Jesus - they will see how Moses & the Prophets spoke greatly of him. Few in Christian churches do.
But back to the main point: Is Jesus sufficient. I stumbled across this thinking a while ago:The Thief on the Cross sufficiently KNEW that Jesus was all that mattered.
Luke 23
39One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him,d saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Every false religion in the world MUST claim that the thief did NOT do enough to warrant Heaven. And yet IT WAS! Putting his trust and hopes (and action) in the eternal King of Kings to redeem a sinner who is worthy of condemnation by a just God.
did this man save himself? NO, He was possibly mocking Jesus just verses earlier: (possibly? Maybe only one insulting him.)
Mark 15:32
"Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe." Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
But when God chooses a man - and the Holy Spirits grabs his heart - they are saved! Jesus' Righteousness is placed within them.
2 Peter 1:10
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble,
2 Peter 2:7
and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless
Oghenovo wrote: "If we do not believe in the sufficiency of Christ, we cannot be disciples within the context of how Jesus described those who believe in Him. Christ is our sufficiency in every way. Paul talks, h..."
Paul is saying that there is work yet left for us, as disciples of Christ, to do here below.
Thanks for the response Michael. God always has a part of the work of salvation preserved for future generations, which I guess is why Jesus' Second Coming delays until all of the work is done.
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Acts 17:11 - "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily , whether those things were so."
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Enough said?
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So, is the Gospel actually God's power unto salvation? Or is the Gospel alone lacking something?
"The Sufficiency of Christ and His Word is one topic that I believe is worth discussing. "
I'm one of those folks who somewhat hates the Red Letter version of the Bible. AS John MacArthur states: "All of the Bible is God's word inspired through the Holy Spirit."
Even the bits written by King Solomon (Who may NOT have been a Christian -- yes, read the end of His story.)
...and God's words throughout the Old Testament are NOT in Red letters for some reason. If God's talking - I'm listening, or trying to - I often fail. But keep trying.
So based on God's Word: Is Christ Sufficient?
Many would say NO. Most church goers assume that being a good person is sufficient. (that informs me they have spent very little time with the Bible). Lately some Social Gospel liberal Christians have stated that being POOR is sufficient for salvation. What the...?!
But, as the thief on the cross knew very well (must have been the Holy Spirit) Jesus is very sufficient.