Thesis: The Incarnation of Jesus Christ Reveals the Fundamental Nature of Reality

1. Introduction

The objective of this thesis is to build a biblical world view through the lens of the incarnation of Jesus Christ for those who genuinely hunger and thirst for righteousness. The primary goal will be to prove that consistent Godly, loving and righteous living is not only a possibility in this life but can be walked in perpetually. This should be normative as the 1st and 2nd century church taught, not an exceptional feat reserved for elite saints. Jesus instructed us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. May this liberate and bless those who do seek first His righteousness with a sincere heart before Him.

John 15:3-11 ESV
[3] Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. [4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. [5] I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. [6] If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. [7] If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [8] By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. [9] As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. [10] If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. [11] These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

To abide in Christ is to walk in love, which is to walk free from sin, obeying everything Christ taught us. Love is to sin what light is to darkness - mutually exclusive states. A person can't walk in love and sin simultaneously. By God's grace through the Holy Spirit, we can abide in Christ, in love and in light. This indeed is evidence of genuine love for Jesus.

1 John 1 ESV
[5] This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. [6] If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. [7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

John 14:21-24 ESV
[21] Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” [22] Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” [23] Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. [24] Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.

In this work, the terms 'walking in love' and 'righteousness,' are to be understood as interchangeable. Likewise the terms, 'lovelessness' and 'sin' are to be understood as interchangeable. This is because love (goodwill) is the essence of God's law and is true righteousness, while lovelessness is at the core of all sin, which is the absence of love towards God and/or man.

This thesis will challenge the expectation that sin needs to be a normal, frequent occurrence in the lives of Christians that can't be ceased before physical death. I do not deny the possibility of sin, nor the mercy available if one stumbles but possibility doesn't imply inevitability. The verses discussing the possibility of sin are often twisted to imply the inevitability of sin. This simply was never the apostle's intention.

I will structure this thesis as follows.  Each section will build upon the next. I will start with an overview under the thesis section. This will be followed by definitions. Then present common axioms all Christians agree upon derived from creeds which in turn are supported by scripture. The axioms will support the principles which will be the main points I will be asserting - these are directly derived from the axioms. The principles are the substance of this thesis. This will be followed by Interpretations of select passages of scripture frequently used to support the inevitable or perpetual committing of sin in this life post conversion. Following this will be the affirmations and refutations sections, which will sum up the conclusions of the principles and interpretations sections both positively (Affirmations) and negatively (Refutations). The thesis concludes with practical applications section, followed by an appendix containing significant supporting early church citations that are cited throughout the work. A thread will be traceable back from later sections to the principles built on the axioms which are based on the incarnation of Jesus Christ - the revelation of God to men: of Himself, ourselves and the true nature of reality.

My objective in writing this whole thesis is aptly stated by Irenaeus an early bishop from the 2nd century who was instructed by the very disciples of the disciples:

Against Heresies - Book 5 - Preface (180AD)
It will be incumbent upon you, however, and all who may happen to read this writing, to peruse with great attention what I have already said, that you might obtain a knowledge of the subjects against which I am contending. For it is by this that you will both controvert them in a legitimate manner, and will be prepared to receive the proofs brought forward against them, casting away their doctrines as filth by means of the celestial faith; but following the only true and steadfast Teacher, the Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, who did, through His transcendent love, become what we are, that He might bring us to be even what He is Himself.

That is to say, now, by His Spirit we have access to "be even what He is Himself" as Irenaeus argued. Which is the substance of his argument throughout his entire work of "Against Heresies".

2 Peter 1:3-4 ESV
[3] His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, [4] by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.