Christianity means to me that I do not have to be perfect. It is a very simplified idea, but in all its simplicity, that is exactly what it comes down to.
If we dive a little deeper into the topic, it is really about forgiveness. Many Christians talk about what Jesus did for us, but it is just as important to talk about who Jesus was.
If Jesus had been an ordinary human being or merely a wise prophet, then his sacrifice would not have such a central meaning. Of course, his actions would still matter, but no one could be saved or receive forgiveness through him.
This text is purely religious and theological. The historical perspective is therefore missing, but that will come in later writings as well. If you do not believe in the Bible, this text may feel meaningless to you, but hopefully you will still find it interesting!
Why Does the Identity of Jesus Matter?
If the identity or background of Jesus did not matter, then anyone could take his place. And throughout history, people have repeatedly tried to do exactly that. One of the most destructive examples is the late American fraudster Jim Jones, who founded his own religious settlement in Guyana, South America. That story did not end well.
That is why it is important for every Christian to understand the identity of Jesus and his significance within Christianity. If we did not know who Jesus is, how could we even practice Christianity in a meaningful and sensible way?
If the identity of Jesus is unclear, faith can easily be built on a crooked foundation. A house built on a crooked foundation does not work properly either. It may remain standing if it is constantly supported and reinforced, but that does not improve the quality of life inside it.
And when the house is built on a everlasting foundation, it will stand firmly on it’s own. You can be confident with it without feeling insulted if someone is questioning it or trying to undermine something you believe in. That everlasting foundation is Jesus, because He died but He rose from the dead and now He lives forever.
Jesus is the concrete which makes the foundation to last. But if we mix something into the concrete, something which does not last eternally, then the foundation becomes weaker. This is exactly what happened with people who believed in Jim Jones and many other who mix their concrete with something else.
Who Is Jesus?
Jesus is God. The Bible teaches this clearly and in many different ways. The divinity of Jesus is also essential to salvation, because no one else can forgive sins. Only God can forgive sins, and Jesus does exactly that several times in the Bible.
There are also many other passages in the Bible that make it easy to see who Jesus is.
- John 20:28 — Thomas addresses the risen Jesus: “My Lord and my God!” Jesus does not correct him or reject the statement.
- Titus 2:13 — Paul describes Jesus as “our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” This is one of the most direct statements in the New Testament.
- Hebrews 1:8 — The Father speaks concerning the Son: “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever.” This is especially significant because the Son is directly addressed as God.
- 2 Peter 1:1 — Peter refers to “our God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
- Colossians 2:9 — Paul says: “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”
- John 5:18 — John explains why Jesus’ opponents wanted to kill him: “he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.”
- Mark 2:5–12 — Jesus forgives the paralytic’s sins. The teachers of the law respond: “Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
- 1 John 5:20 — John writes concerning Jesus Christ: “He is the true God and eternal life.”
What Does Christianity Give Me?
Christianity gives me something that no other religion can ever give me. Because Jesus is God, it means that God himself died for my sins. The Bible also tells us that Jesus chose the role of a servant, even though he existed in the very nature of God. (Philippians 2:5–11)
In practice, this means that God made himself a servant for us because he loves us so deeply. God lowered himself to our level so that we could be saved through Jesus.
No god in any other religion does anything quite like this.
