On The Damascus Road
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On The Damascus Road
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Rev. Kenneth Francart With all the study I have been into lately, I have what might be called a surprise to you, as to how my thinking has changed. I think the best way to explain my new attitude is to quote right out of the introduction to The Impeccable Christ by W.E. Best. "Common teaching among religionist is that Christ assumed man's imperfect nature which bears the consequences of sin and tendencies to temptation. This concept is expressed in the following words: 'Jesus had the capacity to sin, but did not do so. If it were impossible for Jesus to do otherwise, his temptations were not real. He played a part which was a sham.' This is a clear view of the heresy that is being taught." When I first ordered and received this book I had taken strong exception to it, until I came to the realization that Jesus is God and God cannot sin against Himself. By the time that I thought through this concept, just recently, I finally hauled out the book and started to restudy it again and this time with more of an open mind. I just cannot get away from the realization that Jesus is God. Now, I've known this for some time, but never had this most emphatic and conscience driven attitude of not removing Christ from His high and lifted up position with the Father. This does change one's clear thinking about all that learn about Jesus. Even to the twelve-year old child discussing heavy subjects with the Scribes and Pharisees. There never was a time that He was not one with His Father, Therefore, even then, He was God. John 10:30 I and my Father are one. (KJV) John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. (KJV) Now, is it conceivable that the Father of Jesus could sin against himself? I think not! Before I go any further I want to explain that "peccability" is defined as "Jesus Christ could have sinned, but chose not to" whereas "Impeccability" is defined as "Christ could not have sinned in fact there was not in His being room for the thought of sin." Anything that removes that attribute from Christ also removes that attribute from God. God is Holy and holiness cannot condone sin without removing the attribute of Holiness. I know this is a Puritan or Calvinistic outlook. I also know that the Baptist would be the first to condemn this concept. But as I have found growth in my faith, I also have grown above the reaches of the Baptist Faith and Message. (Because the Baptists do not have a creed to live by that Italicized phrase is the closest they come to a creed. Baptists feel that a creed limits your thinking and freedom of belief. I now realize that the only limit I have is what God limits.) Understand that I have not become a Calvinist worshipper but I have found this one concept is fully in line with my understanding of the Son of God. August 21, 2006 |
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Jesus is standing at the door to your heart
all the time. He is knocking to come in and love you and guide you. He is
offering you the gift of everlasting life, but you must hear Him and open
the door to Him as He will not kick it in.
(Rev. 3:20) A gift is just outside your
heart's door at this time. Will you receive this gift? Will you open the
door to Jesus and let him flood your soul with His love? If so, read the
following paragraph as your prayer.
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Father, I know that I have sinned and I turn from my sinful ways and ask you to come into my heart and cleanse me. I know that I cannot do this on my own and I need your help. Fill my soul, Lord, and make me whole. I want your will for my life to be preeminent. Help me to grow in your way. I pray this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen
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