Why Did Jesus Say "You are gods” to Humans?

In the Bible. Jesus said that we are God's.

Does that mean part of me is divine. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. You can call us right now with your question.

At 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 and you can email us with your question at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today we have a good news story to share with you. Jody McDowell is a police officer in Tennessee. He's a five year veteran with the Sumner County Sheriff's office last week.

He posted on Facebook about a gesture of kindness he experienced at a local restaurant. Jody is white and while he was eating a meal at a local Cracker Barrel to black women who were also eating at the restaurant, paid for his meal. They also sent them a note in the note said black lives matter, but so does yours. Thank you for your service. Your breakfast is paid for April. How is that for a beautiful story. Yeah that is a beautiful story and one thing we don't have Cracker Barrel here in San Diego. I do remember going not too long ago with with some of our team here at core Christianity to Cracker Barrel. No result. Pretty awesome. You gotta feel like you're getting some good home cooking or actually, your mom probably didn't make Cracker Barrel style food that we hello Chris for us yet. But I love you know so so I met out I made to the story.

Yeah, I mean boy wheat we need to have that charity and I think the desire to to build bridges is so important and I think it's one of the things that Jesus is you and that in the sermon on the Mount Blessed are the peacemakers. That's really what we should strive for. As Christians is peace with all men, especially with the household of God, and so yeah, thank you for sharing that.

You bet let's get to our first question of the day. This is a call that came in from Ryan in Frisco, Texas. If you like it so outlined in Scripture that if you follow way you can be vernacular obviously found Hebrews in the Old Testament. You got to Jews who went on one second all the way with God's hallway with God.

Following so one of the prodigal son multiple times for one for the prodigal son multiple times before becoming a Christian. I guess I just need to exhaustively make sure that I haven't disqualified myself. Thank you Ryan, thank you for that question and and there are number of passages that you bring up to me I was the Hebrews chapter 6, which is the text of Scripture that people have questions about.

I had questions about that that passage in particular when I was a newer believer in and especially with some of the language that you see there seems to indicate that once a person falls away while they're up there completely hopeless Hebrews chapter 6 beginning in verse three and this we will do if God permits for in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the aged, and that have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the son of God and put him to open shame. So I think it's really important that when we look at this passage in the book of Hebrews we have to understand in the broader context of the book.

This is how we approach all Scripture out the author. The Hebrews is talking about a group of people professing believers who are struggling with sexual immorality or or some kind of licentious living.

He's writing to a group of people. He's concerned that they've heard the gospel over and over and over again.

They've experienced the powers of the age to come. How do the preaching of the word do the we call the means of grace, baptism and the Lord's supper.

That's probably what he is referring to there.

When he says that they've been enlightened tasted of the heavenly gift, and yet have all of this and yet they haven't mixed that word with faith that he says this very thing earlier in the book of Hebrews. He says you guys are like the wilderness generation. They had good news gospel preached to them but it didn't profit them because the word that they heard was not mixed with faith. This is one thing right.

I think for us as Christians to struggle with sin and even the same sins repeatedly over and over and over again. That's not what the author the Hebrews is talking about. He's talking about a group of professing believers who are being tempted not not just to test out sin and play in the muddy waters there. Being tempted to abandon Jesus and his sacrifice for them on the cross to treat is insufficient is a common thing the author the Hebrew says later in Hebrews chapter 10 so that they're going back to the Old Testament system of worship. The sacrifices the blood of bulls and goats in the opposite Hebrews as if you do that you lost white because it did this it demonstrates that you don't have faith in Jesus that you have not embraced received his once for all sacrifice is sufficient for you and for the forgiveness of your sins. That's really what's happening in in the book of Hebrews run. I think it's important that you understand that we as Christians, we sin, we fail in and sometimes even true believers can sin in grievous ways. That doesn't mean that there are forever lost and you think about all the examples that we have in the Scripture of things like this happening.

You have David Jeff Peter who denied Jesus there it in the moment of Jesus's greatest need on on the cross, abandoned by Peter we see true believers real Christ followers, do horrible things and that the Simi that they're eternally condemned because they can still turn back to him. They can still repent and obviously in the case of Peter and King David. For example, they do turn to the Lord right if you turn to Jesus.

If you believe in him, your sins are forgiven. You're washed now. Sometimes we can get into these patterns of struggling with the same sins over and over again, it can feel completely hopeless and I think in those moments, here's what's so important. It's important for you Ryan to understand your identity in Christ through faith. This is exactly what Paul says in in Romans chapter 6 and I want to leave you with this passage of Scripture to encourage you Paul said in Romans chapter 6 beginning in verse one, what shall we say then we continue in sin so that grace may increase may it never be.

How shall we who died to sin still live in it or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death. Therefore, we have been buried with him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the father so we to might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, certainly we shall be also united to him in the likeness of his resurrection. Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with him in order that our body of sin might be done away with so that we would no longer be slaves to sin, for he who has died is freed from sin Christian peers with so important for you to understand if you believe in Jesus Christ. The old you has been crucified with Christ. It's it's depicted in baptism. Remember your baptism. Paul is saying you're dead. The old you is that you're alive with Jesus Christ.

Now you are free. Therefore, use your freedom to serve God and to know him.

That's what you need to understand right that Jesus is united you to himself by faith, and that you're free.

God bless you federal am so glad you talked about our identity in Christ because it's a spiritual identity and at times we may not feel it.

We may not sense it, but the fact is, it's real and it's it's changed our standing before God we hear from so many Christians, I think, to struggle with that whole yes you of what is my identity. Who am I now yes we struggle with the old man with our sinful nature but the fact is we are a new creation, even off close days when we don't feel it. Yet we we really need to emphasize this point, Bill and for you who you know you maybe you're struggling with the same sin pattern over and over again you feeling I just can't.

I can't get rid of this. It's it's this thing that I wonder is always good to be a part of my life. We are gonna struggle with sin as Christians this side of heaven.

But the truth is, here's what you need to understand you are united to Jesus because of how perfectly you obey God, or don't say in your united to Jesus through faith. You are a new creation in Jesus Christ, you are justified. The old you is dead positionally. Now you are in Christ and I think this is so helpful when were when were struggling because we tell ourselves in those moments I got nobody. This is never to get better will you need to view yourself as one who is alive from the dead, filled with the spirit united to Jesus and free and walk in that freedom. What a beautiful picture you can enforce federal thanks so much. This is core Christianity would love to hear your question you can call us at 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673. We also have an Instagram and Facebook account at a YouTube account as well. Kyler posted this on our YouTube channel. He says in Leviticus chapter 20 there's a long list of sexual sin. Why does God say they should die. That's pretty harsh. Why would that not apply in today's world. Yeah, you know that's a great question Kyler in there really two questions are actually one. What about the harshness of the.

The penalty for sin. Leviticus is that fair and to why don't we follow those same laws today. So what I want to tackle both of these questions with regard to the first one.

The Bible says that the wages of sin is death.

We just think about the early chapters in in the book of Genesis, God told Adam and Eve and of the day you eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you will surely die. Sin brings death Ezekiel at in Ezekiel chapter 18 in verses four and in verse 29 were told that the soul who sins shall die, and again like like I mentioned it at the outset that the wages of sin is death.

Paul in Romans chapter 6 verse 23 say the sexual sin really contributes to the destruction of the family and ourselves is something that we need to take so seriously.

Paul said in verse 20 is chapter 6 verses 18 and 19, flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin. A person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, you are not your own. Jesus in his discussion on divorce and in marriage. He says in Matthew chapter 5 verse 32. I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. The point I'm making here is that sexual sin destroys us and our families. It's a serious thing and I think one of the big problems today. At least, that bit. Our culture has an anything within the church that we have with the churches that we have a low view of God. A low view of our sins, and a high view of ourselves.

So you think about this penalty in the book of Leviticus. It really is not over the top. Not not for the people of Israel, not at that time. Certainly not because the serious thing God wants us to take it seriously.

Sin, sexual sin leads to death to destruction. Regarding the second part of your question.

Why don't we follow that law today as Christians and I think that's also really good question.

I mean how many times have you heard people say well how can you Christians pick and choose the laws you believe in you.

You now you eat shellfish, but your against homosexuality will will both are prohibited in the book of Leviticus isn't that picking and choosing what you want to believe will know it isn't.

And here's why it's important to distinguish in the Bible. The different kinds of laws that were given there are civil laws related to Israel as a political body. You know how the nation the government was it was to be governed. There's ceremonial loss you think about the temple worship under the old covenant views these laws related to the temple worship that system with the priesthood and the sacrifices that you have the moral law summarized mainly in the 10 Commandments will civil law that that law is not in effect anymore because were not this political body as the church, Israel. Under the old covenant, they were governed by those civil laws. Now the church is not governed by those civil laws went with somebody sins in the church we don't put them to death. We excommunicate them with this spiritual reality. The ceremonial laws that they were done away because they're all fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. That's why we don't have sacrifices anymore because the once for all sacrifice of Jesus was sufficient to cleanse all of our sins. The moral law it when we were still bound to that the 10 Commandments – is clear from the fact that there written on our very hearts.

There are certain things that are right there certain things that are wrong and we know that even by nature.

It's important that we make that we distinguish these things because otherwise were really confused about why don't we have sacrifices today are sacrificial system and how can we don't obey these political laws were given to Israel under the Old Testament will we need to understand where we are in the story of God in the history of redemption were not under the law. In the old covenant, Israel is this political body were under the new covenant in Jesus Christ. This is core Christianity with pastor Adm. Sanchez would love to hear from you at 833-843-2673. That's 833 the core. If you have a question and April. We have another great offer to tell our listeners about today. Capital we do it were sharing one of our most popular Bible studies over it.

Core, Christianity.com. It's called Jesus is God, he can download it for a donation of any amount amid this is the most important question I think. Who is Jesus from the very earliest days in the history of the church, the life of the church. I think things primary attack was to confuse people about Jesus's identity and his work the gospel. He's accomplished for us so this is a really important resource.

Who is Jesus the great thing to go through with a group of friends or by yourself if you've ever wondered why we believe that Jesus is God you can be helped by this study so that over core, Christianity.com/offers to download. Jesus is God actually call us for any one of our offers at 833-843-2673 so let us know you're interested in. Jesus is God federal here's an email that we received from Suzanne and she says what did Jesus mean when he said we are gods. Isn't that polytheism or something is part of me divine that I think sometimes we would like to to wish that that was the case right. Part of me is divine to have this this inner spark of divinity within me. But that's not at all what Jesus is saying when he makes that statement.

He's referring to John chapter 10 beginning in verse 31. This is the discussion that Jesus is having with the religious leaders in its pretense.

Listen to what the text says the Jews picked up stones again to stone him.

And Jesus answered them, I showed you many good works from the father, for which of them are you stoning me the Jews answered for good work we do not stone you, but for blasphemy because you being a man make yourself out to be God.

Jesus answered them, as it not been written in your law. I said you are God's. If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came in the Scripture cannot be broken. Do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world.

You are blaspheming because I said I am the son of God. If I do not do the works of my father do not believe me but if I do them, though you do not believe me, believe the works that you may know and understand that the father is in me and I am the father. Therefore, they were seeking again to seize him, and he alluded their grass. So what does Jesus mean here when he quotes the Scripture as it not been written in your law.

I said you are God's will.

Jesus is quoting from the Psalms here Psalms chapter 82 and I think it's really important that that we look at that passage to understand the context so maybe two beginning in verse one. God takes his stand in his own congregation. He judges in the midst of the rulers how long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked vindicate the week and fatherless do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy, deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.

They do not know, nor do they understand they walk about in darkness all the foundations of the earth are shaken. I said you are gods, and all of you sons of the most high. Nevertheless, you will die like men and fall like any one of the princes arise. Oh God. The psalmist said judge the earth, for it is you possess all the nations of this is really important.

In Psalm 82. Basically, you have Israel's leaders rulers depicted as unjust rulers there, showing partiality, they're not caring for the week and God is saying when it when he refers to them. Here in Psalm 82, as God's that the focus there is that there rulers there meant to judge, they're meant to operate in this place of authority and to do so in a way that honors God, but they have not.

They've use their authority sinfully and so they're told. You will die like men it really is that a judgment on wicked rulers and so when Jesus in John chapter 10 applies that verse to the religious leaders that he's speaking to.

It really would've been a rebuke to them he's associating them with these wicked unjust rulers who don't care for the weak and needy. And isn't that exactly what we see in the New Testament with with the Pharisees and the scribes help out. Basically they were self-righteous. They were living for themselves, but they really didn't care about the lost and that's why Jesus that I came to seek and save the lost. NetSuite understand so he's not saying you are gods in the sense that you know the creator creature distinction, which is so important is his collapse. No work were God's creatures. He's the creator he's God, the Lord God calls us to rule. Just leave me for Nicholas. You know that that he called the Pharisees and the scribes to rule justly and imitation of the true God in heaven but they didn't because of that, Jesus says the Psalm say you will die because of that sin. So the sobering text of Scripture you're listening to core Christianity with pastor Adm. Sanchez and if you have a question for us. You can call us at 833 the core. You can also record a question by going to our website which is core Christianity.com/radio just look for the microphone icon on the right side of the page and record your question there question I and 11 repo broke our boy we are we are getting into some some heavy judgment.

Texas Scriptures, we would look at Hebrews chapter 6, and one of the heaviest text. I think it all.

The New Testament then Jesus's rebuke just now and in John chapter 10 and then here in Zechariah chapter 11 you to one of the minor prophets talking about the breaking of this covenant really highlights that the one of the things were sitting on this program.

In particular, is how seriously God takes sin engine that's what's happening in Zechariah chapter 11 in this chapter. Israel is depicted as a flaw that has been shepherded by unjust shepherds who profited off of them. Look at Zechariah chapter 11 in verse five verse five says those who by them. That is the flock slay them and go unpunished, and each one of those who sell them says, Blessed be the Lord, for I have become rich in their own shepherds have no pity on them with which the shepherds are getting rich off of the flock. While the flock goes to the slaughter.

That sound familiar mother could buy their ministries out there today that are capitalizing on the people on the flock that are getting rich off of the people while not giving them the gospel, while not preaching the truth preaching against sin preaching that the blood of Jesus, the atonement of Jesus Christ. The sad reality is throughout the history of the church.

There have been false shepherds who lead the flock astray. Paul talked about this very thing, and in acts chapter 21 heat when he warned the Ephesian elders I know that after my departure savage wolves are going to come in and not sparing the flock will then assist passage goes on and in the book of Zechariah, God sends a good Shepherd who the people don't listen to and who says look, I've done my job.

Give me my wages and then verse 12 says so they weighed out 30 shekels of silver as my wages and the Lord said to me, throw it to the potter the magnificent price at which I was valued by them other words, God sends the good Shepherd and they treated with contempt.

30 shekels of silver.

That's what he's worth now 30 shekels of silver. What does that remind you of what you remember in Matthew chapter 27 that was the price Judas received for the training Jesus and that money essentially was used to purchase a potter's field amid all of this ultimately is pointing us forward to the good Shepherd when this text talks about the breaking of the covenant it's emphasizing the fact that Israel rejected their king that there was this broken relationship. But guess what, the good Shepherd continues to pursue his sheet even when we've backslidden. He pursues us he pursues you.

He was cast aside. Why so that sinners who deserve to be cast aside might be received into the family of God in all of Scripture points us to that great reality even Zechariah. Thanks for you? Thanks for listening to core Christianity to request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us@corechristianity.com and click on offers in the menu bar or call us at 1-833-843-2673 that's a 33, the court when you contact us.

Please let us know how you been encouraged by this podcast and be sure to join us next time. As we explore the truth of God's word together