Many people are unaware of the massive impact Jesus Christ has had on shaping the history of our world. Think of Christ’s influence like a gigantic ship cruising down a river. If you’re in a smaller boat on that same river, you must pick a side—there’s no middle ground.
It’s the same with Jesus; you’ve got to choose one way or the other. His presence leaves no room for neutrality.
Yet though His influence is significant, it’s also profoundly controversial. Why?
What’s the deal with Jesus? Why does he stir up controversy and division? It might not be what you think.
Here are Two Reasons Why Christ is Not Controversial:
- First, there’s no denying Christ’s existence. Scholars from various perspectives universally acknowledge Jesus as a legitimate historical figure. A quick search will reveal his credible recognition as the founder of the Christian faith. The historical groundwork has been firmly established.
- Second, Christ’s teachings were widely accepted, both in His time and today. His moral principles, virtues, and ideologies resonate with most people. Always have.
So, why, then, is Jesus so divisive? The divisiveness surrounding the person of Jesus Christ stems from his extraordinary claims. Jesus boldly asserted his identity as the incarnation of the living God in human form on Earth.
Moreover, he proclaimed himself to be the exclusive pathway to heaven. As he stated in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
Such assertions, both then and now, tend to ruffle feathers and evoke resistance. Jesus’ audacious claims challenge people.
For the sake of the argument, we can assume that Jesus existed. Furthermore, history confirms that he did, in fact, make those claims. When considering the historicity of Jesus and his claims, skeptics typically rely on two fundamental lines of argument to question their validity.
Challenging Christ’s Claims: The Two Main Arguments
- HE LIED. One primary argument skeptics present is that Jesus deliberately lied about His identity. That He was nothing more than a calculated deceiver. However, deliberately lying on such a grand scale would indicate a profound moral deficiency.
If Jesus had been a liar, evidence of immorality would likely have surfaced. Yet even his adversaries were astonished by his integrity, virtue, and commitment to truth. Moreover, when we consider the sacrifices made by Jesus’ disciples—leaving behind their lives and jobs and even facing martyrdom—could they have been persuaded to endure such hardships for a mere fabrication?
But the ultimate test lies in Jesus accepting crucifixion and sacrificing His life. Would He have willingly given everything for the sake of a lie? Liars lie until the cost is too high.
People don’t die for lies.
- HE WAS INSANE. The second point skeptics often bring up: maybe Jesus was just a bit out of touch. There are plenty of guys you’d find in an asylum claiming to be the son of God. Throughout history, plenty of people make divine claims, but they never really stick—except for Jesus.
It’s interesting to note that experts and psychologists have thoroughly examined Jesus’ life, looking for any signs of mental instability, and guess what? They found nothing. On the contrary, Jesus regularly left his mental opponents speechless through His skill with words.
The Third Option:
What if Jesus’ claim was actually true? Is it worth entertaining that possibility? Let’s take a closer look. If Jesus indeed was God incarnate, wouldn’t He have provided signs and evidence of His divine nature?
Two critical pieces of evidence support Jesus’ claim to deity.
- Jesus lived a sinless life. Despite rigorous scrutiny and deliberate attempts to find fault in his character, Jesus remained untainted by wrongdoing. Even His harshest critics and worst enemies couldn’t find a flaw or defect in him.
- Jesus performed miracles. Even secular historians of that era acknowledged Jesus as a powerful worker of wonders. He demonstrated the ability to heal the sick, calm raging storms, and resurrect the dead.
However, the most profound evidence would be the conquering of death itself. Historical accounts affirm that Jesus’ tomb was found empty.
So, here’s the bottom line: If Jesus’ claim of being the Son of God is valid, then He’s not just a historical figure, He’s real, and He’s asking you a question:
Do you believe in Him?
Jesus wants you to know that He is with you and that He loves you unconditionally.
“I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
But Jesus desires to bridge the gap between your current life and the life you were designed to live.
Here are some key areas where Jesus seeks to bring redemption into YOUR life:
- Marriage and Relationships
- Parent-Child Relationships
- Friendships
- Finances
- Sexual Integrity
- Moral Development
Jesus invites you to join his character growth clinic, where he will guide and support you in becoming the best version of yourself from now until the end of your journey.
Will you trust Him? Will you believe in Him?
