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| "Jesus is God" in Persian |
As someone who has traversed a life of immense ideological, spiritual, and personal transformation, I have found the ultimate truth in Jesus Christ. My journey from being a Muslim leader, a staunch vegan, a Democrat socialist, and a director of prominent Islamic organizations to a devoted Christian Conservative LDS Freemason has been nothing short of miraculous.
At the heart of my newfound faith is the realization that Jesus is God. This is not a mere theological statement—it is a transformative truth that has reshaped every aspect of my being. Let me explain why the Bible unequivocally confirms this divine reality.
Jesus as the Word of God
John opens his Gospel with a profound declaration:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1, 14)
Jesus is not a mere prophet, as Islam claims. He is the eternal Word who was both with God and was God. He took on flesh, bridging the divine and the human in a way no other figure in history has or could.
Jesus Declares His Divinity
In John 10:30, Jesus makes a direct and unmistakable claim:
"I and the Father are one."
This statement infuriated His audience because they understood its implications—He was equating Himself with God. Similarly, in John 8:58, Jesus declared, "Before Abraham was born, I am," invoking the sacred name of God revealed in Exodus 3:14.
These verses shattered my Islamic understanding of Jesus as merely a prophet. How could a mere human speak such truths with divine authority?
The Fullness of God in Christ
Paul affirms in Colossians 2:9:
"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form."
This verse leaves no room for doubt. Jesus is not part of God; He is fully God. This reality is echoed in Philippians 2:6, which describes Jesus as being "in very nature God."
As a Muslim, I was taught that God is distant, unknowable, and wholly separate from humanity. Yet, the Bible reveals a God who loves us so deeply that He became one of us, living and dying to redeem us.
God the Father Calls the Son 'God'
In Hebrews 1:8, God the Father addresses the Son with these words:
"Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever."
This verse was a pivotal moment in my journey. If God Himself acknowledges the Son as God, who am I to deny it?
The Alpha and the Omega
Revelation 1:8 records Jesus declaring:
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
Jesus here identifies Himself with the eternal and unchanging nature of God. This truth stands in stark contrast to Islamic teachings, which deny His divinity.
Jesus Reveals the Father
Jesus said in John 14:9:
"Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father."
This verse shattered the barriers of my former beliefs. As a Muslim, I was taught that no one can see God. Yet, in Jesus, God made Himself visible and accessible to humanity.
The Messiah: Mighty God
Isaiah prophesied about the Messiah:
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, ... And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
This prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who alone embodies these divine titles.
The Implications for My Life
Understanding that Jesus is God has transformed my worldview. As a Christian, I now worship the living God who loves us personally and sacrificially. As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim, I rejoice in the freedom and truth found in Christ, which liberates us from the bondage of false doctrines.
This truth compels me to share the Gospel with my Muslim friends and family, knowing that only through Jesus can they find salvation. It also strengthens my resolve to defend Christianity in a world increasingly hostile to its truths.
Conclusion
The Bible is clear: Jesus is God. From His declarations in John’s Gospel to the affirmations of Paul and the prophecies of Isaiah, Scripture consistently reveals the divinity of Christ. This truth has not only redefined my faith but also my purpose in life.
Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the eternal God who invites us into a relationship with Him. For those still searching, I urge you to read the Bible with an open heart. The truth will set you free.
Citations
- John 1:1-14
- John 10:30
- Colossians 2:9
- Hebrews 1:8
- Revelation 1:8
- Matthew 28:19
- John 8:58
- John 14:9
- Philippians 2:6
- Titus 2:13
- 1 John 5:20
- Isaiah 9:6
- John 1:18
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