Chapter Twenty – What Will You Do?

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After 19 chapters and almost three hundred pages, consider all that you have learned about the life and ministry of the true Jesus Christ—and about “another Jesus.”

The One who became Jesus Christ pre-existed as the Word (Logos), or Spokesman, for the God Family. His birth was unique; He was both God and Man. He was legally (through Joseph) and physically (through Mary) descended from the royal line of King David.

Jesus grew up in a strong middle-class family of imperfect parents, brothers and sisters in humble circumstances. They observed the annual Holy Days, which picture God’s Plan of Salvation for Mankind. He also observed the weekly Sabbath. Jesus was reared a Galilean, and therefore was looked down upon for not being “cosmopolitan,” a recognized religious scholar or coming from aristocracy, as did His contemporaries in Jerusalem. And His physical appearance, as prophesied centuries in advance, was at best average—far from the handsome image promoted by Hollywood epics.

Christ was born when anticipation of the Messiah’s impending arrival was in the air, and when Rome changed from a republic to a conquering empire, unintentionally clearing the way for the gospel to spread to diverse kingdoms, cities, cultures, regions and territories. Before starting His ministry, Christ defeated Satan in a titanic battle of wills, qualifying to replace him in ruling the earth. Jesus then called the disciples from humble origins, and with His Father’s guidance, personally prepared them to become apostles through an intense training period.

Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, cast out demons and preached the gospel to the poor, which He cited as evidence of the Messiah’s ministry. Yet despite these—and spectacular miracles such as walking on water, thousands of people being fed, though only having a few pieces of fish and bread on hand, and other marvellous acts—critics would not accept His words or authority. Because of their stubborn unbelief, the only sign that Jesus gave them proving He was the Christ was the sign of Jonah: remaining three nights and three days in the grave, and then being resurrected.

Jesus repeatedly taught that He and His Father, though separate Beings, were “one” in the same mind and purpose—in total agreement, setting the ultimate example of harmony and unity that all human beings, will someday achieve.

We learned the truth of Christ’s final Passover and the meaning of the symbols He instituted. We read about how and why Jesus suffered for humanity, and the meaning and purpose of His perfect sacrifice. We also learned that not only did Jesus allow His body, blood and life to be sacrificed for sins He did not commit—His trial was completely illegal.

And we read what Christ is doing today: building, feeding, protecting, strengthening, guiding, training and governing His Church. Jesus Christ preached a message entirely unknown to the multiplying, disagreeing and competing churches of professing Christianity—the GOOD NEWS of the kingdom of God, the only government that will bring justice, equity, peace, happiness, abundance and prosperity to all nations and peoples. This centrepiece of His ministry is just one of the many things Jesus taught that almost no one today believes. We also saw how people, despite the sincerest intentions, can worship God in vain, and even unknowingly serve a false “Jesus.”

What Does the True Christ Expect of You?

Notice Acts 17:30, where Paul is speaking: “And the times of this ignorance God winked at…” God is calling only a select few into the understanding of His truth and to live His way of life. At this moment, God still “winks at” the way humanity lives. But there is coming a time, during and after Christ’s millennial rule, when He will hold every human being who has ever lived accountable for their actions. Paul continues, “…but now commands all men everywhere to repent”—to change their carnal thoughts, attitudes, words and actions, and to live the way God always intended.

It takes faith to change, to reject the pulls of the flesh, Satan and society, and permit Christ to live in you through His Spirit. It means growing from human faith to the faith of Christ (“from faith to faith”) to come under Jesus’ authority and submit to His government, administered in His Church.

Being called into the way of true Christianity means you must permit God to build His holy, righteous character within you—a lifelong process involving time, trials, tests and lessons. You must yield yourself as clay to the Master Potter. You must put your will aside and get out of the way. You must voluntarily choose to “Enter you in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find [Greek: are finding] it” (Matt. 7:13-14).

The path leading to God’s kingdom is not easy. But consider: This life is short, limited—temporary. Once it is gone, it is gone forever. Building perfect, godly character is the only thing anyone can carry into eternal life, for “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit in corruption” (I Cor. 15:50).

With God’s way of life come endless benefits for faithful obedience, by which we have “confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight” (I John 3:21-22). God’s is a path that leads to inheriting “all things” (Heb. 1:2; 2:8-10)—the Moffatt translation says “the universe”—as “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:17), “the firstborn among many brethren” (Ro 8: 29).

Jesus Christ set the example, the pattern for overcoming sin and focusing one’s life on being born into the kingdom of God. To those whom God calls out from the ways of this world (Rev. 18:4), “it is God which works in you both to WILL and to DO of His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13).

There are two opposing ways of life. One is described as the way of “give,” the other the way of “get.” The very greatest teachings of Jesus is that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Of course, Christ set the ultimate example by giving Himself for mankind. The give way for Christians begins with recognizing they belong to God as “living sacrifices” (Rom. 12:1-2).

Being called also means being willing to “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ”—to untangle and disengage “himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who has chosen him to be a soldier” (II Tim. 2:3-4). It means a life of waging spiritual warfare (II Cor. 10:3-6)—but also of enjoying unbounded happiness at the same time!

The way of true Christianity is infinitely more than mere talk—it requires ACTION. It brings with it security, peace of mind, excitement, thrilling news of God’s Work, and a host of blessings—including the greatest one: hearing Christ say upon His Return, “Well done, you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your lord” (Matt. 25:21). In other words, rulership under the glorified Christ in His kingdom.

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