The Divinity of Jesus Christ
In the Christian faith, one of the most profound declarations found in the Bible is in John 1:1, 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.' This verse introduces us to Jesus as the 'Word,' a title that signifies His eternal existence and His unity with God. The passage goes on to describe how 'the Word became flesh and dwelt among us' (John 1:14), affirming Jesus' incarnation and His divine nature. The author of Hebrews expands on this, attributing the creation of the world to Jesus by quoting Psalm 102:25 in Hebrews 1:10: 'In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.' This direct application of a passage about God to Jesus serves to underscore His divine identity and authority. Additionally, Paul speaks of Jesus in Colossians 1:15-20 as the 'image of the invisible God,' through whom all things were created, and in Philippians 2:5-11, we see Jesus, who being in very nature God, taking on humanity. These scriptures collectively paint a picture of Jesus that is both humbling and exalting, revealing Him to be the divine Creator and Sustainer of all.
The Practice of Prayer in Christianity
Prayer is the lifeline of the Christian, a sacred conversation with the Almighty. The 'Lord's Prayer' or 'Vater unser,' given to us by Jesus as recorded in Matthew 6:9-13, offers a template for our prayers, encapsulating adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. It begins with reverence, 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,' and moves through our deepest needs, 'Give us today our daily bread.' Similarly, the 'Hail Mary' or 'Ave Maria,' rooted in the greetings of the angel Gabriel and Elizabeth to Mary in Luke 1:28 and Luke 1:42, is a staple in the Catholic tradition, particularly within the Rosary. The Rosary itself is a meditative prayer that combines the recitation of the 'Hail Mary,' the 'Our Father,' and the 'Glory Be,' with contemplation of the significant events in the lives of Jesus and Mary, known as the Mysteries. This form of prayer encourages reflection and seeks to deepen our understanding of the divine narrative. As we are urged in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Christians are to 'pray continually,' bringing our hearts and minds into alignment with God's will, as demonstrated in the practice of these powerful prayers.
Personal Conduct and Christian Living
The question of how Christians should live in the world, including whether practices like smoking are permissible, does not come with direct biblical commands. However, principles guiding our conduct can be found throughout scripture. For example, Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, implying that our actions, including those related to our health, should honor God. Furthermore, the pursuit of wisdom and understanding is highly regarded in the Bible, as seen in Proverbs 4:7, which tells us to get wisdom at all costs. The quest for righteousness and wisdom should thus inform our decisions and behaviors. We are encouraged in Romans 12:1-2 to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is our true and proper worship. This is not just about avoiding harmful habits, but about embodying the fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, which includes love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In our pursuit of a wholesome lifestyle, further insights can be gleaned from other areas of scriptural wisdom, such as coping with challenges like insomnia and embracing wholesome speech.
