Jesus Unmasked: The Truth Will Shock You (20 page)

Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit. The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, and the Holy Spirit uncreated. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible.

The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal. And yet they are
not three eternals, but one Eternal
.

As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated, but one Uncreated, and one Incomprehensible. So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Spirit Almighty. And yet they are
not three almighties, but one Almighty
.

So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. And yet they are not three gods, but
one God
.

So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Spirit Lord. And yet
not three lords, but one Lord
.

For as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge each Person by Himself to be both God and Lord, so we are also
forbidden
by the catholic religion to say that there are three gods or three lords.

The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone, not made, nor created, but begotten. The Holy Spirit is of the Father, neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.

So there is one Father, not three fathers; one Son, not three sons; one Holy Spirit, not three holy spirits.

And in the Trinity
none is before or after another
; none is greater or less than another, but all three Persons are co-eternal together and co-equal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped.

He therefore that will be saved must think thus of the Trinity.

Whew! That was a lot of theology, and that is only half of the Creed. The first half of the creed focused on the doctrine of the Trinity. The Athanasian Creed makes it clear, if we don’t understand the Trinity rightly, we will not be saved.

Athanasian Creed, Cont’d.

Furthermore, it is
necessary to everlasting salvation
that he also believe
rightly the Incarnation
of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right faith is, that we believe and confess, that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is
God and man
;
God, of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and man
of the substance of his mother
, born in the world;
perfect God and perfect man
, of a rational soul and human flesh subsisting.

Equal to the Father, as touching His godhead; and inferior to the Father, as touching His manhood; who, although He is God and man, yet
he is not two, but one Christ
; one, not by conversion of the godhead into flesh but by taking of the manhood into God; one altogether;
not by confusion
of substance, but by
unity
of person.

This is the catholic [universal] faith, which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved.

That is how important correct theology is; or at least used to be. Either those old dead guys had it right, or pastors who enter their Sunday service on horses are right. It’s probably wise to stick with the Bible and the serious saints of old.

Jesus Took on More Than Our Flesh

He made Him who knew no sin
to be sin
on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21).

Our sin was placed on Him and His righteousness is placed on us. Jesus received our sin and we receive His righteousness. Talk about a lopsided exchange!

Martin Luther once said, “Jesus, you are my righteousness. I am your sin.”

Do We “Put On” Jesus?

Remember, covenant is a two-way street. Jesus put on our nature and took on our sin. While we do nothing to earn credit for the salvation He provides, there are still terms for us in the covenant. Just as He took on our nature, we are to take on His.

But
put on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts (Rom. 13:14).

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have
clothed yourselves with Christ
(Gal. 3:27).

The exchange of robes was an outward sign of an inward commitment. In making this exchange, covenant partners were saying that they were receiving that person unto themselves. It was a total exchange of identity; that is why we are called to be “imitators of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1; Eph. 5:1).

When God grants us repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, we enter into the new covenant of grace, merging ourselves into Him.

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
For you have died and
your life is hidden with Christ in God
.
When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as
dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed
, which amounts to idolatry.
For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,
and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.

But now you also,
put them all aside
: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the
old self
with its evil practices,
and have
put on the new self
who is being renewed to a true knowledge
according to the image of the One
who created him —
a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved,
put on
a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever
has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Beyond all these things
put on
love, which is the perfect bond of unity
(Col. 3:1–14).

The Great Exchange

Jesus took your sin upon Himself and died for you. In exchange for that great gift, we are to die to our old selves, our old loves, our old sins.

I have been
crucified with Christ
; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Gal. 2:20).

Therefore
be imitators
of God, as beloved children; and walk in love,
just as
Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma (Eph. 5:1–2).

Step #2: The Exchange of Weapons

When Jonathan and David exchanged weapons, these covenant partners symbolized their responsibility to defend each other against their enemies. In doing this, they were saying, “My weapons are at your disposal. I will lay down my life to protect you.” Jonathan was obligated to defend David’s life, even if it meant going against his own father.

God Defends Us

This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed
you are suffering
.
For after all it is only just for
God to repay
with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to
you who are afflicted
and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire (2 Thess. 1:5–7).

If God defends His children (and He does), how are we to treat those who hurt us?

Never pay back evil
for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
Never take your own revenge
, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God for it is written, “
Vengeance is mine, I will repay
,” says the Lord (Rom. 12:17–19).

The next time someone hurts you, remember, you have a covenant partner who will defend you. You do not have to retaliate; God will ensure that justice is satisfied.

The Hardest Math

Russell D. Moore says that the hardest math in the world is 70 times 7.

Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven (Matt. 18:21–22).

Jesus was not doing forgiveness math when He commanded us to forgive 490 times. He was telling us to forgive as we have been forgiven (Eph. 4:31). That is a lot.

How Can We Do That?

We know that we have been forgiven so much, how can we withhold forgiveness from anyone?

God will make sure that person’s sin is dealt with. Either that person will be punished in hell for their sin, or Jesus will have been punished on their behalf IF that person is in Christ or becomes a Christian.

Even Harder

“But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:20–21).

We have a covenant partner who will deal with retribution one way or another. This frees you to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31), even when that person sins against you.

Does this mean you have to expose yourself to evil and stay in a wicked, abusive relationship? Certainly not. But it does mean that you should forgive and always live in hope of potential reconciliation IF the person is no longer abusive.

Jesus modeled this attitude for us spectacularly on the Cross. He had just been physically abused, taunted, mocked, humiliated, shamed, spat upon, beaten, and whipped when he prayed to God, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

Jesus said that, even as He was being punished for their sins against Him. Is it hard to forgive? Yes. But we have a role model and we have a motivation: Jesus has forgiven us for far more than anything anyone has ever done to us.

Constantly remember, “We all carry Jesus’ nails in our pockets.”

> Yes, people have hurt you. And you killed Jesus.

> Yes, people have slandered you. And you killed Jesus.

> Yes, people have disappointed you. And you killed Jesus.

> Yes, people have stolen from you. And you killed Jesus.

> Yes, people have disappointed you. And you killed Jesus.

> Yes, people cut you off in traffic. And you killed Jesus.

> Yes, your friend gossiped about you. And you killed Jesus.

> Yes, your parents ignored you. And you killed Jesus.

> Yes, your kids are frustrating. And you killed Jesus.

> Yes, your neighbor neglects his yard. And you killed Jesus.

Forgive, knowing that you have been forgiven much. Forgive, knowing that you have a covenant partner who is defending you.

Are We Supposed to Defend God?

Covenant is a two-way street. God defends us — are we supposed to defend God?

God hardly needs our help, yet we are called to defend His Word.

Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you
contend earnestly
for the faith which was once for all handed down to the
saints
(Jude 3).

As God’s saints, we are commanded to defend His Word. After all, His Word is:

> Ordained by God Himself (Ps. 119:4)

> The way to remain pure (Ps. 119:9)

> Filled with wonderful things (Ps. 119:18)

> A great counselor (Ps. 119:24)

> A great strengthener (Ps. 119:28)

> The way to not be vain (Ps. 119:37)

> The way to salvation (Ps. 119:41)

> The way of liberty (Ps. 119:45)

> The path of goodness (Ps. 119:68)

> Better than thousands of gold and silver pieces (Ps. 119:72)

> The way to not feel guilty (Ps. 119:80)

> Settled in heaven (Ps. 119:89)

> A delight (Ps. 119:92)

> A reviver (Ps. 119:93)

> The way to become wise (Ps. 119:98)

> Sweeter than honey (Ps. 119:103)

> A lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Ps. 119:105)