God's Name and the Nature of Jesus Christ

What is the name of God and who is Jesus Christ?

God's name in the Old Testament varies. The most prominent ones are Yahweh and Elohim. In the New Testament, He is called Kairos or Theos. The point is that His name is not a sticking point. It is knowing Him, being in relationship with Him, and bringing about His will that matters.

The New Testament teaches that Jesus Christ emptied himself of the power of God when he became human (Philippians 2:7). However, Jesus' being, or nature if you prefer, was God Himself (Hebrews 1:3).

So in the flesh, Jesus, like us, had to rely upon His relationship with God to know God's will and have God's power. He was God in nature but not in knowledge or power. God had limited Himself when He took on the human flesh. This is why we see Him practicing the spiritual discipline of prayer and why He said "not my will but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). His flesh wanted to live. He did not want to die, but He also knew that it was through His death that life would come into the world.

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I took some time to answer questions on Hubpages, where I post on occasion.  These questions are from there.

The Uniqueness of Christianity

How does Christianity differ from other religions?

Although there are similarities with other religions here and there, Christianity does have a few points that distinguishes it from other religions.

Christianity teaches that Jesus is the only way to get into heaven (John 14:6).

Being right with God is a gift of grace, not something that we can accomplish through our own works (Ephesians 2:8-10). By the book, Christianity is not a religion of works.

Christianity teaches that we are to love everyone, including our enemies (Matthew 5:43-44) and the poor (1 John 3:17). Followers of the faith have not always lived this out, but it is a clear teaching of Jesus.

Christians are supposed to continue living on the life of Jesus in the here and now (Ephesians 2:18). They are to love the way Jesus loved, do the things Jesus would do, and continue on His mission to liberate mankind from the sins that shackle them.

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I took some time to answer questions on Hubpages, where I post on occasion.  These questions are from there.

Death Bed Conversions - Do They Take?

Is repentance at the last minute to death a ticket into heaven?

The joy of the Christian life is much more than just getting to heaven but about living in the presence of God every moment of every day.

Eternal life begins when we know God and Jesus Christ (John 17:3). This can happen on someone's death bed.

Jesus shared a parable about people who come late in the day to work; they received the same wage as the people who worked all day (Matthew 20:1-16). When the workers who worked all day were upset the master told them, "Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?." Jesus added, "So the last will be first, and the first will be last." They had forgotten that it was a privilege and blessing to work for the master all day long rather than worry about whether they would get to work.

So we can receive salvation at the end of our day, but we miss out on living the life God intended for us to live. So why wait?

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I took some time to answer questions on Hubpages, where I post on occasion.  These questions are from there.

The Central Theme of Christianity

What is the central theme of Christianity?

When Jesus was asked what is the greatest teaching of the law, he replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

So you are on the right track when you think that Christianity is more than just getting saved. Its about living that life of love we were designed to live. In that, we will find beauty, hope, and surety for today.

God does not want to just save us; He wants to transform us to bring about His will in this world. In being part of that, we will find the greatest blessings imaginable. Salvation is just the doorway to a better life lived in the here and now. It is not the central theme. Jesus said the central theme was love.

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I took some time to answer questions on Hubpages, where I post on occasion.  These questions are from there.