Christ The Risen One, Lives As The Crucified One

John 20:26-28, “And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.”

Jesus Christ, the risen one, lives forever as the crucified one! Christ's bodily resurrection is eternally connected with His cross. We hear all this junk theology today about “turning from your sins” from the proponents of Lordship Salvation, from heretics like Steve Pettit and John MacArthur. What saith the Scripture? 1st Corinthians 2:2, “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” The Apostle Paul said he only wanted to know one thing about the church at Corinth—did they have faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ? And again we read in Galatians 3:2, “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” That is how we get saved (i.e., get the indwelling Holy Spirit), by placing our faith in the Gospel when we heard it preached. There is no mention of forsaking sins, or turning away from living our own life, nor anything else! Salvation is by faith.

Jesus still has scars in His risen body. The Old Testament prophet Zechariah tells us that when Jesus returns at His Second Coming, i.e. THE REVELATION, and every eye shall see Him (Revelation 1:7), He will still have the scars. Zechariah 13:6, “And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.” Isn't that precious and beautiful? Jesus will still have the scars in His hands, brow, feet and side when He returns at the Second Advent. I believe Jesus will wear those scars forever, as a memorial of what our Great Savior has done for us, to redeem us from all iniquity and eternal death in Hell. Jesus loves us, which is why He wants to wear our scars by which He redeemed us. What an awesome Savior!

Hebrews 12:1-3, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995) said that in order to be “a witness,” you have to first see something! Hence, Hebrews 12:1 must be referring to the saints alive in Heaven, who look down and watch us. I agree with Dr. Hutson! This explains why we read in Luke 15:10, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” If the angels aren't doing the rejoicing, then it must refer to the saints! Amen! The Bible says Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Here is a related passage of Scripture:

Philippians 1:3-7, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.”

In Biblical studies, there are three parts of the Christian life: justification (being made right with God by faith alone), sanctification (the ongoing process of being conformed into Christ's image), and glorification (a new sinless body, glorified with Christ).