Jesus / change / world: Your thoughts?

[Poster]

What change to the world do you think Jesus has made?

I mean, aside from coming to save our souls from hell by our believing he is God, our sin atonement sacrifice.

Aside from that, what impact do you think he has made on society, the world?


I think he taught us equality.

It doesn't matter what your birth status is, we are all children of God.

Contrast that with the idea that some people are better than others automatically.

We all come from God, we all stand equally before God at birth, we all deserve consideration and respect as human beings, children of God.

Merit, sincerity, all men are created equal.

I think a lot of that notion stems from his impact, his teachings, and the world is slowly moving to that ideal.

Anything else?

Please only post positive posts for this thread. If you have complaints, please reserve that for other threads.

Thank you and I look forward to your observations.

 

[Gabe]

This is a great idea for a Thread, Poster. I have not given this much thought, but i'd say He's definitely made people a lot more tolerant of one another.

 

[John]

He established the moral code that we all adhere to to some degree.

 

[Gabe]

He established the moral code that we all adhere to to some degree.

Hey, thats a pretty good one, too ;)

 

[Veritas]

We all come from God, we all stand equally before God at birth, we all deserve consideration and respect as human beings, children of God.

Merit, sincerity, all men are created equal.

I think those are fantastic to point out.

The extent to which Jesus taught and lived out love, grace, and forgiveness have made a huge impact as well.

Because, if you think about it... there are so many problems in the world when one party reacts in violence to another, then the party receiving violence returns the violence, then the other returns it, etc.. etc. It is only grace that can break that chain. It happens. Grace and forgiveness can happen on a small scale and then have a ripple effect.

Another thing I think about is Jesus' following. Think about all the kings of the past, the rulers, the despots, the dictators, the governments. All of them want the people to recognize them as supreme. All these establishments believe they can solve the problems of the world. And all of them fail. And then we have one man that people have bowed to as King of Kings throughout these ages. One man who has changed countless people's lives for the better. Jesus.

It simply amazes me.

 

[Poster]

Veritas,

I forgot about the love aspect, you're right, no question.

I often wonder why some cultures smile for photographs and others do not as much.

I wonder if it is the influence of love, the desire to project love, etc that makes the difference.

I also wonder if that's almost distinct to Christianity.

Of course, others love also, but you get my point.

I heard a religious leader from another religion talk about how Christians are excellent models for showing love and compassion that we need to be more like them...

He described the likely differences between going into some churches vs what one could expect otherwise.

A stranger walks into a church, they're likely to be greeted, welcomed, ushered to the front of the services, acknowledged in the speech by the preacher, offered food, perhaps a place to stay, money if they need, even a special collection taken up for them, do you need a wife?

Attend one of our services, someone is more likely to come up to you and say,

"You're in my seat. "

 

[cyberjosh]

What change to the world do you think Jesus has made?

An even more interesting question/realization is to ask, in light of the fact that Christ always has been from before the beginning of creation, and in fact made all creation through Him, "how has the world changed in its relationship and in its reactions toward (or relative to) Jesus who always has been, presently is, and always will be God and Savior?". This question sees Christ as eternal and absolute, and the world as temporal and reacting relative to that eternal absolute.

So you can think of this as a question of the sort of "How has the world - from the very beginning of creation until now - changed (possibly departed) in relation to Christ's eternal being, eternal witness (the things "clearly seen", even before Christ's advent), and place in the Godhead?", rather than simply asking from the temporal perspective of, "How has the world changed from/since Christ's physical manifestation and advent among us before he ascended?" (of which that would actually be a certain smaller part of the former question, a culmination of Christ's former witness).

It is an interesting question because it brings into consideration the eternality and supremacy of Christ: forever past, forever present, and forever future. And the realization to be had from this is that, starting with Adam, every man has reacted to Christ ever since the beginning of creation, knowingly or not. All men have been presented with Christ and have either reacted in faith or with unbelief: Christ the Chief Corner Stone and the the Stumbling Stone/Rock of Offense. Christ is both, and depending on each one's reaction to him it determines which Christ will be unto them, and there is no man that can escape confronting the reality of Christ.

Good topic. Thanks for posting it. Any thoughts on my added comments/questions?

God Bless,

~Josh

 

[RND]

What change to the world do you think Jesus has made?

He showed us plainly the true nature and true character of God and exposed the lies of Satan once and for all.

John 14:8 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. 11 Believe me that I [am] in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

 

[MarkT]

Don't be deceived by the son of the evil one my friends. Jesus said, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword/division." The enemy, who is the devil, sows his seed. These are the ones who preach equality; who cry peace! peace! But the peace we have is not like the peace the world gives. The world hated Jesus because he testified of it that its works are evil. Likewise we testify of it that its works are evil. You gave the slaves their freedom. Do they thank you for it? No they hate you even more. This is the fruit of your works - violence and racial hatred and envy and strife. You gave women their freedom. Do they thank you for it? No they hate you even more. This is the fruit of your works - abortion, every sort of sexual perversion, porn, greed, the love of money, the love of pleasure, the hatred of God. Do you think those tattooed, pierced creatures are of God? This is no doubt the most wicked generation that has ever lived. What seems right to them is an abomination to God. That's why I believe the Lord's return is imminent.

 

[Veritas]

I agree Jesus came to bring a different peace, peace between man and God. Even so, I believe that restored relationship with God has a profound effect on our relationship with other men as well.

You gave the slaves their freedom. Do they thank you for it? No they hate you even more. This is the fruit of your works - violence and racial hatred and envy and strife. You gave women their freedom. Do they thank you for it? No they hate you even more. This is the fruit of your works - abortion, every sort of sexual perversion, porn, greed, the love of money, the love of pleasure, the hatred of God.

I can't agree that freeing the slaves and freeing women is the cause of the problems in our world. The problems were there before. Women were blatantly given equal footing by Christ. This is something for us to follow. Slave's were to be well taken care of and freed every Jubilee since the Old Testament times, and in Paul's words, given freedom if at all possible.

Do you think those tattooed, pierced creatures are of God? This is no doubt the most wicked generation that has ever lived. What seems right to them is an abomination to God.

That may be so... This truly may be the most wicked generation that has ever lived. Judgement will come, but we also must remember that God still loves, and there is nothing we can do to make Him love us less.

 

[francisdesales]

What change to the world do you think Jesus has made?

Wow. Perhaps everyone is overlooking this one?

The depths of God's love for mankind? Without Jesus, we wouldn't know this...

Focus today and tommorrow on this...

The ETERNAL WORD OF GOD taking on human flesh and being born in a cave, in a feeding trough for animals. Being born to die a terrible death for the sake of men who, more often than not, could care less.

What sort of God is this?

Regards

 

[Veritas]

Thanks Joe! For some reason that question really reminded me of a song I love to sing at Christmas...

Just going to share! Merry Christmas!!

What child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come peasant king to own Him,
The King of kings, salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise the song on high,
The Virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

 

[francisdesales]

Thanks Joe! For some reason that question really reminded me of a song I love to sing at Christmas...

Just going to share! Merry Christmas!!

What child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap, is sleeping?...

Beautiful! Merry Christmas to you, my friend.

Joe

 

[MarkT]

I agree Jesus came to bring a different peace, peace between man and God. Even so, I believe that restored relationship with God has a profound effect on our relationship with other men as well.

The peace I'm talking about is the peace within us that comes by the Spirit of God, through the knowledge of God. It is like still water. And this peace comes by the definite plan of God to those who can read the Bible. To the world, we are fools, and what we preach is counted as foolishness. The world doesn't know God. To the world, we are evil. Indeed the time will come when killing us seems good to the world.

You gave the slaves their freedom. Do they thank you for it? No they hate you even more. This is the fruit of your works - violence and racial hatred and envy and strife. You gave women their freedom. Do they thank you for it? No they hate you even more. This is the fruit of your works - abortion, every sort of sexual perversion, porn, greed, the love of money, the love of pleasure, the hatred of God.

I can't agree that freeing the slaves and freeing women is the cause of the problems in our world. The problems were there before. Women were blatantly given equal footing by Christ. This is something for us to follow. Slave's were to be well taken care of and freed every Jubilee since the Old Testament times, and in Paul's words, given freedom if at all possible.

You don't have to agree. I know. You have listened to the voices of your women, and you have joined yourselves with the harlots and the adulterers and the greedy and the licentious and the followers of other gods. As Peter said, 'In their greed they will exploit you with false words', and 'They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption' 2 Peter 2:19 Even the men of Iraq call your house Satan.

Do you think those tattooed, pierced creatures are of God? This is no doubt the most wicked generation that has ever lived. What seems right to them is an abomination to God.

That may be so... This truly may be the most wicked generation that has ever lived. Judgement will come, but we also must remember that God still loves, and there is nothing we can do to make Him love us less.

God's love is meant to lead men to repentance.

Jesus died on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven. If you think he was sent to bring peace on earth, you're wrong. There are many false teachers. And they exploit the words of God for their own gain; to gain political rights, for example.

 

[Poster]

Three more:

1. I think that my reading of Jesus gave me the value not to call people by titles. Notice also the US Constitution which forbids that, I wonder if the US got it from the NT?

2. I think that I got from Jesus the idea that religion should be free. If someone charges to get to God, then it's not God.

3. It's never too late to start again.