Is It Presumptuous Or Perhaps A Sacrilege To Say One Is Jesus’ Brother?
Posted: Wednesday, June 29, 2011
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
It seems mighty boastful for one to say he is a brother to the Christ. The fact of the matter is, the claim should never be made in a boastful manner or for self-glorification, but rather use the privilege with an humble and eternally grateful attitude. Say, WHAT?
Yes, according to the scriptures, even of Jesus Himself, Christians are considered His brothers and sisters. Here is what he said concerning it:
Of course, one must notice the condition attached to it. That eliminates those who just say they are Christians but do not do the will of God. And that leaves out those who only go half way in doing what the Father says. A saying which I have used many times and even wish I had been the originator of, but was not, sounds a note that should move one to study the Bible.
“ No one can obey God, if they don’t know what he says.” Now, think on that for a moment. No one, including you or me, will make it to heaven accidentally. His words are to be taken very seriously. Read this scripture, and although it is taken from the Old Testament and concerns the Law of Moses, the same principle applies with the New Testament Law of Jesus Christ. Speaking here of the words of the law:
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:7 KJV)
If one goes through the day without reading and meditating upon those words which he has read, certainly he will not be knowledgeable of the teachings of the Bible. Now, let us read more about being the brother of Christ.
For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren. (Hebrews 2:11 KJV)
The inspired writer of the letter to the Hebrews here is referring to Jesus. If he is not ashamed to call those of us, who are unworthy servants, brethren, then we should be exceedingly thankful and humbled by it.
Here are more verses of scripture which confirm those listed above, in different ways.
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26 KJV)
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12 KJV)
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (Ephesians 2:19 KJV)
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (1 John 3:1 KJV)
Jesus was the Firstborn Son of God, and we through belief in Him and obedience to His word, although unworthy, are made sons of God by His grace.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8 KJV)
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
Saving faith is only from the Holy Bible, and the final scripture above proves that it comes from hearing (learning) the word of God. If you only hear it via man, you are at the mercy of uninspired minds, which are subject to error. Study the scriptures daily to see if what you have been taught is true, as did the noble Bereans. Read Acts chapter 17:10-15
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Very well put together Joel. I love all the Scriptures that pave the way to a clear conclusion and not just an assumed conclusion. I never thought about claiming to be a sister of Christ as presumptous or boastful, but I suppose there are some who claim Jesus, but are far from him, as Jesus said, many will say Lord, Lord.... and he will say, depart from me I never knew you. Thank you for your faithfulness to share the Gospel message. Blessings! TeresaThanks Teresa, for reading my article and the kind comment. I'm beginning to really feel my age.
We had a break-in in our outside shed a week or so ago. not much was taken, but he cut a connector hose from my filler pipe to the gas tank on my van and either stole or wasted about $40 dollars worth of gas, two gasoline cans, demolished the clasp and lock on my shed door. I have been upset so bad since that I can hardly keep my thoughts together. I was not too good at that before.
As Daniel Webster so beautifully put it when he was robbed, "I'm thankful that he took those things which did and not the life of me or my wife, and I'm thankful that even though he took all of my gasoline, it was not much, and most of all, I am thankful that he, rather than I, was the one who stole."
Hi Joel. oops, meant to give you 5 stars... I know what you mean about being robbed. We felt the same way when Art's utility trailer was broken into. What a quote! I love it. You are a wonderful witness to the truth - keep it coming. We are never too old for this :-) Blessings! T
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