This appears to be one of the thorniest subjects in Christianity and all other faiths including atheists. A number of people do not accept or have refused to accept or recognize Jesus Christ for who he is. This is based on either false teaching, failure to adequately explain in truth, lack of knowledge of scripture, fearful to tell the truth in order to avoid reprisal or for other doctrinal reasons.
The answer is however not far to fetch but openly embedded in scripture. The Holy Spirit leads us into all truths without a shred or confusion or misunderstanding but with divine clarity which disperses doubt. Led by the Holy Spirit, this question may be answered from three points of views namely, what God says; what Jesus says; and what the Holy Spirit says.
What is an image?
When we talk about an image, we mean a reflection, replica or identity of the original. The image bears the same character or identity as the original with the same purpose and effect. The image is not altered but a true production or reproduction of the original which has been certified. In the case of Jesus, he is a true image of God certified by God himself with divine approval. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of God the Father in human flesh and the Father in him yet distinct in origin.
God’s conversation at creation
God set the records straight from inception. In Genesis 1:26 God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion, etc. With whom was God speaking? The bible answers this question in John 1:3 that all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.
So the conversation in Genesis was obviously between God and Jesus because only they share the same image. Jesus was right when he said in John 10:30 that I and the Father are one. He was also right when he said John 14:9 that he who has seen me has seen the Father. However, consistent with their common, unified yet distinct identities, they made edifying statements that needed clarity.
What God said about Jesus?
God said that this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22; 2 Peter 1:17. God also said that this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him, Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7. We also read from Luke 9:35 where God said, this is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him. These references clearly show the unified yet separate and distinct identities of God and Jesus.
At the birth of Jesus Christ, the angels whom God sent to deliver the message of Jesus’ birth to mankind said that unto you is born this day of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, Luke 2:11. God’s message was that Jesus was Lord and Saviour as his name “Christ” depicts. Jesus is the Saviour whom God ordained for mankind whilst God remained the loving God who reached out to us through his pleasing Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.
God is the Father of Jesus Christ whilst Jesus is the Son of God, his chosen, beloved and most pleasing to him and to whom we must listen to what he says. In substance, God said he had unquestionably and irrevocably approved, sanctioned, ratified or authorized what Jesus says based on their relationship or union or shared image. Titus 1:2 says that God never lies. Jesus also said in John 17:17 that thy word is truth. The bible says the gospel of salvation is the word of truth, Ephesians 1:13; James 1:18. God’s testimony about Jesus Christ is therefore the whole truth and not in dispute.
Although God shared and maintained his image with his Son Jesus Christ who is our Lord and Saviour well before creation yet they retained their separate roles as God the Father and Jesus his exalted Son. Philippians 2:6 says that though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Whatever God said about their common yet separate authorities and identities is true and remains forever. So we must grasp this fact as the aforesaid verse in Philippians says because it is an indisputable fact which is ratified in heaven. This same confusion raged on during the days of Apostle Paul so he elucidated this point with a resounding explanation as we have referred to above.
We must not be confused about it but to commit our understanding to God in prayer.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, lead us in spirit to grasp the fact of your glorious heavenly image with the Father so we will submit to your divinity in humility. In your holy name we pray, Amen!!
