Part 2: The Deity of Christ
“Christian unity starts at the Cross!” The Cross and what Christ did there is something on which we can all agree. With the world in the shape that it is in now, we need no more Schism. Last week, I listed just a few things with which the body of Christ disagrees. You name one thing, anything, and there is a 95% chance that someone will have a dissenting opinion. All the fighting, bickering, and arguing over nonessential doctrine causes schisms in the body and does no one any good.

Churches have split because of any numbers of such disagreements. At last count, there are 1200 different denominations. How do you get 1200 denominations out of One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all [1]? I will tell you how in just a minute. Every time we argue over nonessential doctrine, I feel Christ shaking His head. “How long must I bear with you [2]” Our first essential doctrine is the deity of Christ.

v1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
v14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. [John 1:1, 14 KJV]

My first sentence declares the deity of Christ, for they Crucified Him because He claimed to God [3]. Jesus told the Jewish leaders that He was before Abraham and was the “I AM.” [4] That would have garnered immediate retaliation with stoning because to the Pharisees, it was blasphemous. If you remember, however, the people did pick up stones to stone Him, but He hid himself and walked through them [5]. Jesus could have waved His hand in front of them and they would have disappeared. Prophecy told Jesus that He had to die on the tree [6], so to fulfill prophecy. He escaped. Christ traveled through time just to hang on a tree to forgive us of the first Adam’s sin nature.

Before I close, I promised I would tell you later why there are so many denominations. This is just my belief, so do not take this as gospel. I am sure, however, there is some truth to it. Otherwise, why cause a schism and go our separate ways. It makes sense. Anyway, the reason there are so many denominations is that people are raising their doctrine and understanding of theology, above Christ. They are following their personal theology and doctrine, instead of Christ. Many believers vigorously defend their theology. If we follow anything other than Christ, and/or make anything more important than Christ, it is idolatry.

Paul said it best; For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified [7]. Therefore, the deity of Christ is one of the seven essential doctrines. We would do well to take Paul’s advice. Having to be right is witchcraft/divination. The deity of Christ is only one of seven things worth contending for the faith without getting huffy and causing hard feelings, or worse yet, causing any schism in the body. Everything else is up for discussion, causing no schism. The Bible call us to give the truth, not to argue the truth [8]. Having a teachable spirit is a great asset.

Our heavenly Father, I love you and would be lost without you. May we never forget that you are God and in charge. Thank goodness for that. Thank you for creating us and for taking care of us. I enjoy resting in you and just knowing that you are God. I will trust in you and will not lean unto my own understanding. I will acknowledge you in all my ways so you can direct my path. Thank you, Lord, for purchasing us on the Cross. In your precious name, AMEN

Be still and know that I am God [9].
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[1] Ephesians 4:6
[2] Matthew 17:17; Mark 9:19; Luke 9:41; 2 Corinthians 5:13, 11:1
[3] John 19:7
[4] John 8:58; Exodus 3:14
[5] John 8:59
[6] Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13; Acts 5:30, 10:39; 13:29; 1 Peter 2:24
[7] 1 Corinthians 2:2 KJV
[8] Philippians 2:14-18
[9] Psalm 46:10