More is not possible

Christians believe, in the first instance, in a Person – Christ is our salvation and the answer to all questions and problems that humanity brings with it. We don't need any program, any money, any strategy, any special contacts and a sophisticated wisdom to come to the revelation of God in Jesus Christ. God comes to us – that is the secret of the Gospel, which brought light and warmth within our souls through the Son of God. In Him is the fullness – that means that Jesus hasn't just brought us a partly knowledge of God, or only a grain of truth, neither a religious offshoot nor a letter of intent through a heavenly negotiator. In Jesus Christ the fullness of the Godhead came in bodily form – John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6) and He is the Alpha and the Omega (the First and the Last), He was dead and came back to life (Revelation 1:17-18). Jesus is God! How could even the most fantastic idea or ingenious program, or a huge bank account, replace, fulfil or nullify the eternal meaning and power of Jesus Christ, even in the slightest? Spirits scatter at the mention of the Name of the Son of God, HE is the Corner Stone, that holds all things together – Ephesians 2:19-21 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.”

One can mean well and still unceremoniously miss out on one's life goal and be lost, because one disregards and minimizes the importance and necessary authority of God in human form. If Jesus Christ does not receive the importance which He deserves and is absolutely vital for salvation, the goal of faith is not reached. In John 12:44-46 we read: “Jesus cried and said, ''He that believeth on Me, believeth not on Me, but on Him that sent me. And he that seeth Me seeth Him that sent Me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness.'' Without Jesus we are and will remain in darkness. Had God, in His sovereign, righteous and voluntary decision, not sent the life-giving grace and salvation (Himself) into the three-dimensional world, we would be eternally lost and we would deserve it. No-one has a right to grace! Being part of those who believe in the forgiveness of sin, does not make us better than other people. No-one has ever asked for God and could even imagine a life without sin (Romans 2:4). Therefore Jesus says in John 6:44: “No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.'' God's grace does not have to be explicable, but believable – that should suffice for us to comprehend that we are saved solely by grace – without merit or claim. God is great – Psalm 108:4 “For Thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.” Where is a God like HIM?

Jörg Bauer