How much “like” Jesus should a follower be? What percentage is ideal, 43.8%, 50.34%, 75.67%, 92.78% or 99.9%? The example set by Jesus has been a subject of great debate for many years. Can people born in sin be 99.9% like Jesus? According to a post found on billygraham.org, the simple answer is “No”. Relevant magazine gives readers a different perspective and a posting on Quora, raises an argument “was Jesus truly sinless”. Each article gives a compelling argument and provides supporting rational, but who is right, how much like the Lamb of God can we be? How do all three explanations compare to what is written the bible?
The Graham article points to Philippians 3:12 and says, “No, the Bible does not teach that we will ever be completely free of sin in this life […]”. Further, in the column an analogy comparing sin to a “deadly disease” is used. The writer then suggest that a person’s strength to overcome sin is in a weakened condition, and unable to fight off the infection completely. However, the post does give hope, informing the reader that the “Son of God” sacrificed his life for that very reason. Lastly, no one needs to worry about the penalty of sin, if only we open our hearts to the Messiah.
Meanwhile, the Relevant publication expresses a point of view with a twist. It suggest, that all who stand fully in the “Son of Man” has let their life of flesh die and accepted a new life in the “Son of God” whom is without sin. The piece references Philippians 3:11 and how the apostle Paul acknowledges his imperfection, yet recognizes that thru Jesus he can still manifest Christ to others. Ultimately, the columnist says that thru Isā, strength is increased, and we can break our sinful nature and overcome generational conditioning.
Now, the question posed on the Quora forum starts by analyzing sin, and organizes sin into two groups: action and condition. The writer Daniel Silva concedes that Jesus was sinless in both categories. Silva proclaims, “God cheats the system” of sin; by allowing the “light of the world” to be born of spirit rather than flesh. Daniel fortifies his explanation with 2 Corinthians and concludes that “It means Jesus took the whole entire condition (noun) of sin into his body on the cross, so that when he died, it died, and along with it and him all of humanity died, so that that those who will receive him can come alive in their new divine nature.”
Do the variations of explanations help believers to replicate the teachings of the Captain of Salvation and to what degree? Does not Hebrews suggest that the Son of the Heavenly Father was fully made human? Is this “Jesus” whom most teach about & mimic the same as the one in John 13? Do his followers’ actions contradict his spoken claim in John 14 ? Shouldn’t those who are sheep of the Chief Shepherd obey the word of Ecclesiastes 9? Is adhering and following a portion of the Prince of Peace’s model blueprint enough? Are most conflicted because they serve multiple masters?
References
Graham article – https://billygraham.org/answer/is-it-possible-for-a-person-to-become-sinless/
Relevant – https://relevantmagazine.com/god/are-christians-supposed-be-sinless/
quora – https://www.quora.com/If-Jesus-took-human-flesh-how-can-he-be-sinless
Philippians 3:12- https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3%3A12&version=NIV
Philippians 3:11 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3%3A11&version=AMP
Isā – http://corpus.quran.com/concept.jsp?id=jesus
Son of God – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A35&version=KJV
Messiah – http://www.quranicstudies.com/historical-jesus/the-quranic-verses-that-mention-the-title-messiah/
light of the world – https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/i-am-the-light-of-the-world.html
2 Corinthians – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+5%3A+21&version=CEB
Captain of Salvation – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+2&version=NIV
fully made human – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+2&version=NIV
John 13 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+13&version=CEB
John 14 – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A+12&version=CEB
Hebrews – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+2%3A+5-9&version=CEB
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