Jesus: First Gift, Then Example

Reformer Martin Luther in the 1500's described Jesus as "first gift, then example." He was combating false views of Jesus seeking to follow His example and live by His teachings by human performance. Luther revolutionized Christianity by recovering the truth that Jesus' supreme identity is God's gra [...]
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Reformer Martin Luther in the 1500's described Jesus as "first gift, then example." He was combating false views of Jesus seeking to follow His example and live by His teachings by human performance. Luther revolutionized Christianity by recovering the truth that Jesus' supreme identity is God's gracious gift. The coming of Jesus and His costly sacrifice at Calvary is the apex of salvation history. Receiving Jesus as gift is primary, for He comes to indwell and guide the believer through the Holy Spirit. Once transformed, the believer now can rightly view Jesus' life as an example. Jesus' authentic human life, lived in submission to the Father's will and in the Spirit's anointing of power, is the baseline for life as it is meant to be lived among those who believe. This book does not shy away from the supernatural dimension that Jesus exemplified and imparted to His church. The baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues is discussed in the context of Jesus' brilliant strategy for the church's mission in the world. This book invites today's believers to abandon the futility and despair of self-effort in striving after the ideals of being like Jesus. Receiving Him as gift is revolutionary, for He comes to dwell in the believer and gives His Holy Spirit to take control. The Holy Spirit will take center-stage to guide and empower every believer to experience the joy, peace and rest of being yielded to the Lordship of Jesus Christ