4 Minute Read + Scripture readings
TODAY’S BIBLE READING:
Jeremiah 4:19–6:15
Colossians 1:18–2:7
Psalm 77:1-20
Proverbs 24:23-25
TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):
Colossians 1:18 (CSB): “He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.”
REFLECTIONS ON TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):
It has been my observation that America is becoming much less “Christian” in our worldview. We are currently watching the decline of Christianity and the rise of worldviews such as atheism, agnosticism, Islam, and many other religions.
Yet, that doesn’t mean that God’s name is disappearing. We still hear people say things like “Oh, my G..” when they get surprised. We still hear “God-talk” when politicians are trying to rally their religious base. Further, the varying false religions use the term “god” as well.
So, it has been my conviction for many years that Christians should refer to our God less by His title (“God”) and more by the name of His Son, “Jesus.” In my sermons, Bible studies, and writings, I try to spotlight Jesus much more than God.
Why?
Because when we talk about “God” now, it gets mixed in with other religions and political rhetoric that also refers to “god.” But, when we talk about Jesus, we separate ourselves from everyone else. Jesus is distinctly Christian.
The questions then becomes: “Can we do this? Can we highlight the second person of the Trinity while referring less to the first person of the Trinity?”
Let me allow Scripture to answer these sorts of questions.
Colossians 1:18 (CSB): “He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.”
John 14:8–9 (CSB): “ ‘Lord,’ said Philip, ‘show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been among you all this time and you do not know me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”?’ ”
John 1:1, 14 (CSB): “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Philippians 2:9–11 (CSB): “For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow — in heaven and on earth and under the earth — and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
In a very real way, God the Father and Jesus are distinct from each other while being completely One. While we cannot fully comprehend this, we do understand that we can exalt the Name of Jesus, and in so doing, glorify God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.
So, in an age when “God” is being overused, generalized, and watered down, I believe that Christians need to use “Jesus” more and more when they refer to the God they serve. In so doing, we will distinguish ourselves from the growing confusion within our culture about who we love, enjoy, serve, and obey.
Matt’s Musings 