What steps can we take to affirm our faith in Jesus' incarnation today? Setting the Lens: 1 John 4:2 “By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.” Why the Incarnation Matters • It anchors our salvation—God became man so He could be our sin-bearing substitute (Hebrews 2:17). • It reveals God’s heart—“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14). • It guards against deception—denial of the incarnation is the mark of “the deceiver and the antichrist” (2 John 1:7). Practical Steps to Affirm Our Faith Today 1. Confess the Truth Openly • Speak it: tell family, friends, and church, “Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.” • Sing it: choose songs rich in incarnational language (e.g., “Veiled in flesh the Godhead see”). • Memorize Scripture: John 1:14; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16. • Recite historic creeds that echo 1 John 4:2 (Apostles’, Nicene). 2. Saturate Your Mind with Scripture • Daily reading plan that includes the Gospels and prophetic passages (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2). • Use cross-references: Philippians 2:6-8 shows His humility; Hebrews 4:15 shows His sympathetic humanity. • Journal insights, noting how each passage reinforces the bodily coming of Christ. 3. Test Every Teaching • Filter sermons, podcasts, and books through 1 John 4:2. • Ask: “Does this teacher clearly affirm that Jesus is fully God and fully man?” • Reject content that spiritualizes or dismisses His physical birth, life, death, and resurrection. 4. Celebrate the Incarnation Year-Round • Advent and Christmas: focus on Scripture readings, not sentimental fluff. • Communion: remember His literal body and blood (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). • Everyday rhythms: thank God at meals for the Bread of Life who took on flesh. 5. Live Out Flesh-and-Blood Compassion • Serve the needy; Jesus entered our humanity, so we enter others’ struggles (Matthew 25:35-40). • Practice hospitality; He “made His dwelling among us,” so we open our homes to others. • Show patience and empathy; His incarnation means He sympathizes with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). 6. Guard Fellowship and Accountability • Join a church that upholds orthodox Christology. • Engage in small groups that discuss doctrinal truths, not just practical tips. • Invite brothers and sisters to speak into your life when you drift from incarnational focus. 7. Keep an Eternal Perspective • Anticipate His bodily return (Acts 1:11). • Let the reality of His first coming fuel hope for the second. • Encourage one another with this truth (1 Thessalonians 4:18). The Takeaway Affirming Jesus’ incarnation isn’t merely an intellectual checkbox; it’s a lived confession. As we confess, study, test, celebrate, serve, fellowship, and hope, we echo the apostle’s words and show that the Spirit of God is truly at work in us. |
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