In this phrase “the only true God,” the first point is the obvious
contrast between the Creator, the source of all life, with all other
gods men make for themselves. Men make gods of gold, silver, and
stone and even their stomachs.
But there is another point. The Father, Himself, calls His Son “God”
and elsewhere, the Scripture clearly calls Jesus “God.”
But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and
ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Hebrews 1:8.
How then do we harmonize these Scriptures with those which speak
of the Father as the only true God?
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all
things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all
things, and we by him. 1 Corinthians 8:6.
Who is Christ if His Father is the only true God? Does that make
Christ a false god?
I can't believe that Christ was in these words, denying His own
divinity or that He is a false god. There must be a harmony in these
passages. After many months of prayer and study the effort was
richly repaid with precious light on the character of God that I
would have missed otherwise. Nothing in God's word is unimportant,
even if we don't readily discern them. Whenever we come across texts
that seem to contradict, it is because we are missing some vital
points. Here is what I found.
Though Christ:
- has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than the
angels -the name of His God, His Father (Hebrews 1:4)
- has all the attributes of His Father, “For in him dwelleth
all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9)
- has life in Himself (John 5:26) is before all things, and by
Him all things consist (Colossians 1:17).
Though all of these things are true of Him, notice what is said
of Him.
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal
with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the
form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Philippians
2:6, 7.
This describes what Christ did in His incarnation, but much more
than that as we shall see. There is no contradiction in the Bible’s
reference to the Father as the “only true God” (John 17:3) or the
“one God” (1Corinthians 8:6) and those verses that speak of Christ’s
divinity, such as Isaiah 9:6, which calls Him the “mighty God.”
Because even still, Christ, as a son, voluntarily submits to His
Father’s greater authority.
Though Jesus is rightfully called God by His subjects, He
recognizes/honors His Father as the higher authority. (“...to my God
and your God” John 20:17) This is only reasonable, for though my son
may grow to adulthood and become equal to me in every way, or even
exceed me in strength, talents and abilities, yet, if he is a
loving, dutiful son he will always respect my greater authority,
because I am the father and he the son. So with Christ. As a Son, He
will ever maintain submission to His Father. |
