by Richard Mansel

Humans are indeed weak and sinful. Every day news outlets carry reports enumerating the troubling evidence. We handle this onslaught by becoming progressively desensitized and cynical. Additionally, we are bombarded with increasing volumes of temptations as a result of technology and mobility. Satan never naps and we are always being seduced (1 Peter 5:8).

Consequently, we wonder how Jesus could come to this wicked earth and become one of us. It seems more than we can conceive. John 1:1-3 tells us "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made" (NKJV).

In John 1:14 John tells us that the "Word became flesh and dwelt among us." This is as profound a thought as any ever delivered to man. Jesus is God and simultaneously the son.

C. S. Lewis wrote, "Lying at your feet is your dog. Imagine, for the moment, that your dog and every dog is in deep distress. Some of us love dogs very much. If it would help all the dogs in the world to become like men, would you be willing to become a dog? Would you put down your human nature, leave your loved ones, your job, hobbies, your art and literature and music, and choose instead of the intimate communion with your beloved, the poor substitute of looking into the beloved's face and wagging your tail, unable to smile or speak? Christ by becoming man limited the thing which to Him was the most precious thing in the world; his unhampered, unhindered communion with the Father."

We notice that the word did not enter or fill a man but "became flesh" in the form of Jesus. He came to participate with us in human nature to learn how we think and live. This is not to measure an historic event but to show his eternal nature. His presence here was but a spot on the time line of his existence.

Primarily he came to die for our sins (John 3:16). He was the only one who could serve as the Messiah, being completely acquainted with both God and man. He understands how we feel and what we endure daily. "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

Jesus was exactly what mankind needed. Someone has said that if man's greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If man's greatest need had been technology, he would have sent us a scientist. If man's greatest need would have been money, he would have sent us an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, he would have sent us an entertainer. But our greatest need was for a Savior, so Jesus was commissioned to be our salvation.

Our sins have separated us from God, so we need a Messiah to bring us back to him (Isaiah 59:1,2). Christ came and died so that could be possible (Romans 5:6). His cross became a bridge back to God. Jesus pleads for us to come to him with humble spirits when he says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).

by Richard Mansel

We often hear when someone dies, He didn't go to church but he was a good Christian man. Millions consider themselves Christians even though a large percentage have no religious affiliation. Let us consider what a Christian is in light of Scripture.

First, is someone a Christian if they believe God exists? In Genesis 3, Satan speaks of God as alive. Therefore, saying that we simply believe God exists does not make us a Christian, because that would make Satan a Christian.

Second, are we a Christian if we believe God is powerful? In Job 1:10, Satan acknowledges that God controls what happens to man. Satan was there in heaven, saw creation and knows the power of God. Accordingly, simply believing God is powerful is not enough to make one a Christian because that would make Satan a Christian.

Third, are we a Christian if we read the Bible? In Luke 4:10,11, Satan quotes Psalm 91:11,12. So reading the Bible, in itself, does not make someone a Christian because then Satan would be a Christian.

Fourth, are we a Christian if we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? James 2:19 says, "You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons believe, and shudder" (NASB). On several occasions demons spoke to Jesus or others affirming their belief in the deity of Christ (Matthew 8:28-31; Luke 4:31-35,40,41; Acts 19:11-17). Therefore, simply believing Jesus is the Son of God does not make someone a Christian because then Satan would be a Christian.

Fifth, are we a Christian if we attend church? Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 11:12-15 that Satan transforms himself into an angel of light while demons transform themselves into ministers of righteousness. Where would these ministers go to steal the flock away from God? At least part of the time they would be at church with the saints. Accordingly, simply attending church does not make someone a Christian, or Satan would be a Christian.

Sixth, are we a Christian if we do good deeds? When we do good deeds we often have personal motives for doing them. Besides that, we notice Matthew 4:1-11 when Satan tempted Jesus. Satan's motives were evil, but consider that he was willing to feed Jesus, protect him if he fell and fulfill Jesus' desires. Consequently, simply doing good deeds does not make us a Christian, or Satan would be a child of God.

All of these things are part of being a Christian. But none of them alone makes a Christian. Instead, we must become a new creature (John 3:3-5), which is accomplished by dying to self and being born again in Christ (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3,4; Galatians 3:27). When we arise from baptism, we are a Christian through the gift of God.

A Christian will live for God by bearing fruit for his kingdom (James 2:20-26; Revelation 2:10). Scripture requires that we express love for God by bearing fruit in service to God in a variety of ways (cf. John 14:15). When we coddle people by perpetuating the image that anyone who is a good person is heaven-bound, we further Satan's plans and dilute the cause of Christ.

Serving God is an absolute not subject to the whims, emotions, and reasons of men. We are a Christian by the plan of Christ, not by the changing definitions of men. Let us always stand for that truth.

This is to open Richard's new column space. "Square One" is dedicated to introducing people to Christianity. It will treat the basics of what the Christian faith is all about.

Have at, Richard!