For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. (Matthew 24:5 ESV)
Some of my favorite stories are those which tell of an imposter who infiltrates a community through imitation. From Invasion of the Body Snatchers, to Cold War spy tales, detection of fakes, imitators, disguises, and deceivers is intriguing.
Jesus warns us of false Christs. But how do we recognize them? The Philippian jailor was told, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:31) But does just any belief count? These days, it seems there are as many understandings of who Jesus was as there are popcorn shells in the bottom of a box of movie popcorn.
Which Jesus is the Jesus who deserves our belief?
This is a list, of course, and not very ‘devotional.’ But it is a list worth noting.
1) Jesus Christ is the Son of God;
2) Jesus Christ is genuinely human;
3) He never sinned;
4) He is equal to Yahweh God;
5) He died on the cross as our substitute in order to pay the penalty for our sins;
6) He rose bodily from the dead;
7) He gives everlasting life to all who trust Him and Him alone for it.
Christ alone, but THIS Christ alone.