The Uniqueness of the Incarnation of Christ

These days many people regard all religions as being the same. If we speak of Jesus’ teaching from the Sermon on the Mount then other religions may well say that they have something similar in their faith. However as Christians we believe that the Christian faith is unique and it is not just another religion. So what makes the Christian faith unique or different?

John 1:14 gives us a good answer:
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (ESV)

Christians believe that Jesus, the Son of God came and lived on earth with man. And that He was both human and divine. No other religion can claim this astonishing truth.

Some might question if Jesus was really human. The Scriptures give examples of Jesus’ humanity:

  1. He wept (John 11:35)
  2. He slept (Luke 8:23)
  3. He eat (Luke 7:37)
  4. He drunk (Matthew 11:19)

Others might ask if Jesus was really divine. The Scriptures give examples of Jesus’ divinity:

  1. He preformed miracleous signs (Luke 8:24)
  2. He healed people (Luke 13:12)
  3. He raised the dead (John 11:43-44)
  4. God spoke to Him from heaven saying He was His Son (Luke 9:35)

These examples illustrate that Jesus was both human and divine. He lived and moved on this earth The incarnation is indeed unique to the Christian faith.

The Unpardonable Sin

In Matthew 12, Mark 3 and Luke 12 Jesus speaks about the unpardonable sin.

Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or the age to come. (Matthew 12:32 NIV)

This is obviously a very sobering verse and I think many of us, especially if we are prone to worrying, ask ourselves “Is it I?”

I have this week come across three very good articles on the unpardonable sin and if you are worried that you might have committed this sin then I would recommend you read these. Please note I have not posted these to scare anyone but to shed some light on this subject especially for those of us who like myself tend to worry.

The Unpardonable Sin by Ed Welch looks at the passage in Matthew 12

The Sin That Will Never Be Forgiven by Geoff Thomas looks at Mark 3:29-30 and then goes on to also look at Hebrews 6:4-6 and Hebrews 10:26-29

The Sin That Won’t Go Away by William Smith looks at Mark 3:22-30 and Hebrews 6:1-9

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