Good News: Life Principle 4
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God's Terms Are: Follow Jesus
Jesus - God's Son
Many people believe that in order to approach God we have to focus on a collection of rules to be obeyed. This is a mistake! While it is true that there are a number of things and behaviors that displease God, it is far more important to understand that God has established one overriding standard for his relationship with us - follow Jesus. Mary was told in advance that her son Jesus would have a never ending kingdom and would be called the Son of God:
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
Luke 1:26-38
Jesus - God's Supreme Representative
The following passages demonstrate the unique role that Jesus fills in the universe. He is the exact representation of God's being and thus God's supreme representative:
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Colossians 1:13-20In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
Hebrews 1:1-4
Jesus Invites Followers
Jesus himself told others to follow him:
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:17-22
Here are some more examples of Jesus inviting followers:
- Another disciple - Matthew 8:18-22
- Matthew (Levi) - Matthew 9:9-13
- Rich young man - Matthew 19:16-30
We invite you to learn more about Jesus on our Jesus Page.
Jesus - The Only Name That Saves
Jesus is the only person through whom we can experience salvation, as stated by the Apostle Peter:
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone'. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:8-12
Peter also declares the following:
The Apostle Paul writes:“You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached — how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen — by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Acts 10:36-43 *** Key Passage ***
Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
1 Corinthians 15:1-8
Something To Consider
It's just that simple - follow Jesus! Keep reading to find out what this means.
Next Steps
Now that you've had a chance to read about the good news there are some next steps you should consider:
The Good News In a Nutshell
There are a number of Bible passages that illustrate the good news about Jesus "in a nutshell". You can discover them on our Good News Passages page. We hope you'll find them enlightening.
Next: Good News Passages
How Do I Follow Jesus?
Now that you've had a chance to see what the good news is you have a decision to make. Will you embrace the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ and receive the wonderful destiny that God has for you or will you reject it? The only way to receive God's destiny for you is to follow Jesus. Our Following Jesus Page will help you understand how to take this crucial next step.
Next: Following Jesus
How To Use This Material
Read the key passage above (Acts 10:36-43). If you came to this page for help in sharing the good news with others, encourage them to reflect on this passage.