Nancy Taylor Tate
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” John 1:1–2
Scripture establishes the deity of Jesus. He was with God. He was God. In other words, as God, He had no point of beginning. He was from the beginning. Jesus did not begin His existence when He became flesh and dwelt among man.
In the Greek language, “Word” is “Logos,” meaning “the expression of God.” Jesus, the Word of God, came as the expression of God, the express image of His person.
In Jesus, God was manifest. Colossians 1:15 refers to Jesus as “the image of the invisible God” and “the express image of His person” (Hebrews 1:3). In John 14:9 Jesus said, “He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father.” Revelation 1:5 calls Jesus “the faithful witness.”
In Jesus Christ is found the fullness of life that God has made available for mankind. This fullness of life begins now through faith in Jesus Christ, then continues for all eternity. Jesus is the Savior for all of mankind; there is no way to the Father but by Him.
Experientially, I first come to know Jesus as my Savior. Then, as I submit my life to Him, I come to know Him as my Lord, and I come under His authority.
I come to understand He is ever-present and all-powerful. Nothing is too difficult for Him. I learn to walk with Him through life, leaning into His strength, wisdom, and might. Coming into this submission and understanding brings a rest to my soul.
As He brings me through the challenges of life, He also works inside me. It’s true, I am changed—a new creation—at my new birth, when through faith I accept Jesus as my Savior. But then, as a newborn babe, I am to mature and grow experientially, becoming Christ-like in my attitudes and actions (Titus 3:5–6; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:2). This requires that I come to know Jesus Christ as Lord.
Many today know Jesus as their Savior…but fewer know Him as their Lord! The Lord is looking for those who will take up their cross and follow after Him, so that they might experience His fullness in and through their lives (Matthew 16:24).
In Jesus, we not only have a comfort in troubled times, but also the opportunity to “be” faithful witnesses of Him (Acts 1:8), that others, too, might come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
What a glorious calling! Like Paul, may we “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14), as faithful witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ.