What do you believe about Jesus Christ?

How can anyone get anything enjoyable or useful out of a gift if all they do is examine it from the outside? (1)

Metaphorically speaking, many people think the idea of Jesus is a pretty package, yet choose to leave it sitting all wrapped up under the tree and never open it.  They don't really have anything bad to say about Jesus, but neither do they accept His gift of reconciliation.

There is a very thoughtful argument refuting the idea that Jesus was just good, personally I think it is a thrilling concept! Jesus Christ cannot be called good without being called God - there are three possible choices here. 1) He WAS indeed who He said He was, the Son of God and our Redeemer; 2) He was LYING His pants off (which would eliminate the option of being "good"); or 3) He was simply CRAZY and didn't know what He was talking about (again, not the profile of someone you could classify as "good"). (8)

The past few years for me have held many spiritual discussions on a variety of meaningful topics. Some of these have been dialogues with other people and some merely monologues with myself. But no other topic is as relevant to our human spirituality as the discussion about Jesus.

Recently the teachings at our church have been centered around the overwhelming evidence there is in support of Bible based beliefs. (2) And if you prefer evidence provided by a more objective source, I also recently saw a convincing program produced by a national television network and hosted by an internationally renowned journalist. (3)

As I consider the fundamentals of those beliefs, especially concerning eternity, I begin to feel a tremendous burden for those who have missed the message, whether by intentionally dismissing it or by accident through ignorance or neglect.

Here is the nutshell version I like to use:
There is one God, and there are three types of relationship we have with Him. (4)
God the Father, Yahweh, created us and watches over us - He also gives us free will to do what we choose, and will ultimately judge us for our choices. The most important choice being whether we accept His gift of reconciliation through Jesus Christ. (5)
God the Son, Jesus Christ, came to show us how to live and forgive us of our sins - He left behind his royal place in Heaven to get down and dirty here on Earth, His life was the prime example we have for how to live in obedience to God the Father and in love and service to one another. Even more, He took our place in Hell even defeating the powers of Hell for our sake. He ultimately offers us reconciliation with God the Father, and He now is preparing a place for us in Heaven if we choose to accept His gift of reconciliation. (6)
God the Spirit, Holy Spirit, comes to live in our hearts and minds to comfort and guide us if we accept the gift of reconciliation through Jesus Christ. (7)

Your decision about Jesus Christ influences your relationship with God, your life here on Earth and ultimately your experience for eternity. To be reconciled with God the Father you must accept His gift of reconciliation through Jesus Christ. To receive the comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit you must accept the gift of reconciliation through Jesus Christ. It would seem as if all of spirituality hinges on that question, what do you believe about Jesus Christ? Of course, only God is God, only He knows the hearts of people, but He has provided us with a message of reconciliation that we should not ignore and we should not keep to ourselves.

I challenge you today to make a decision about Jesus Christ - what do you believe, is He Lord, liar or lunatic? (9) Now go talk to somebody about your decision...let's keep the conversation going!

Notes:
(1) Of course, you also need to be able to tell the difference between a true gift and a prank simply disguised as a gift. (1 John 4:1-21)
(2) http://www.kineticchurch.com/teaching/ (pending, February 2013)
(3) "Back to the Beginning", ABC News, Christiane Amanpour
(4) Matthew 28:19, John 10:30, Romans 8:9, Ephesians 4:4-6
(5) Genesis 1:26, Psalm 91:11, Deuteronomy 30:19, Revelation 20:12-15
(6) John 3:16
(7) John 14:26
(8) Concept from Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis (arguement known as the trilemma)
(9) Josh McDowell