Truths for Navigating our Lives to Think Like Jesus
(Click here or the image to the right to download a printable PDF of this worksheet.)
A. Core Ingredient on which every worldview must have a position in order to be legitimate
God
The eternal, all-knowing, all-powerful, benevolent, loving, infinite, personal, and triune Creator of the universe who providentially and miraculously intervenes to rule and sustain that universe today.
- Deuteronomy 6:4 – God is One (essence)
- Deuteronomy 4:39; Isaiah 45:21-22 – There is only one God
- Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:21-22 – God exists as a Trinity (diversity in unity)
- Isaiah 45:12 – God is the Creator of the universe, the earth, and humanity
- Colossians 1:17 – God is eternal; He sustains the creation
- Romans 1:18-20 – God’s existence is known through His creation
- Isaiah 46:9-10 – God is all-powerful and all-knowing, who providentially and sovereignly guides history
- 1 John 4:8 – God is love
B. Supernaturally Revealed (Divine) Ingredients provide a foundation for knowledge
The Bible
The verbally inspired revelation from God. It is infallible and the final (absolute) authority for all behavior and morality, and the basis for final judgment. It provides revealed information about the derived ingredients which is essential for a correct understanding of them.
- John 16:12-15 – Jesus’ prophetic authorization of New Testament inspiration by the Holy Spirit to the apostles
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit and profitable for righteousness and service
- 2 Peter 1:20-21 – The Bible authors were eyewitnesses of Jesus and they wrote by Holy Spirit inspiration
- John 12:48-50 – Jesus’ Word is what the Father revealed to Him; it will be the basis for judgment in the last day
- John 17:17; 2 Timothy 2:15 – God’s Word (the Bible) is Truth and guides us into holiness
- John 6:63, 68 – Jesus identifies His words with the Holy Spirit; Peter says they are “words of eternal life”
- 2 Peter 3:2 – The Bible is sourced in the holy prophets and words of Jesus spoken to the apostles
- Hebrews 4:12 – God’s Word is the Holy Spirit’s sword to convict our mind and heart in His ways
Jesus Christ
The eternal sinless and historical God-man—the incarnation of the infinite and personal God to earth in human form. As the only Savior, His death and resurrection are redemptive to lost humanity.
- John 1:1-2, 14, 18 – Jesus (Logos/Word) is eternal God who came to earth as a man to manifest God to us
- Colossians 1:15-17; 2:9 – Jesus is eternal, the image of God, the Creator and sustainer of the universe
- John 14:6; Acts 4:12 – Jesus is the only Savior; He is the way, the truth, and the life – the only way to God
- Hebrews 4:15 – Jesus understands our weaknesses; He was tempted as we are but never sinned
- 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:21-24 – Jesus redeemed us from sin as a gift through faith that we might be righteous before God
C. Derived Ingredients resulting from the core/revealed ingredients and human experience
Humanity
Uniquely created in the image of God with the personal attributes of intellect, will, and emotion; a spirit, soul, and body; ultimate purpose, dignity, and a personal, eternal destiny. The historical, spiritual fall resulted in all people having a sin nature and in need of redemption.
a. Uniquely Created
- Genesis 1:26-28 – Created male and female in the image and likeness of God
Genesis 2:7 – Formed by God as a physical body, but became a living being (soul) by God’s breath - Genesis 1:29; Psalm 8:3-8 – Made accountable stewards of God’s creation; created with dignity and value
b. Spiritually Fallen
- Genesis 3; Romans 3:10-12, 23; 5:12 – All have sinned resulting in death
c. Morally Accountable
- Revelation 20:11-15; Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10 – All will stand before the Lord and give an account of their life
- Hebrews 10:26-31 – Sin will be judged, especially the sin of those who reject Jesus’ atoning sacrifice
d. Divinely Redeemed
- Romans 5:8-9; 8:1-2 – Jesus’ atoning death redeemed believing humanity from sin and death
- Ephesians 1:7 – We have redemption through the blood of Jesus, the forgiveness of our sins
- John 14:16-17; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19 – The redeemed are indwelled by God the Holy Spirit
e. Eternally Destined
- John 1:12; Galatians 4:4-7 – The redeemed are adopted as children and heirs of God
- John 3:16; 5:24, 28-29; 1 Corinthians 15:42 – The redeemed will be resurrected and live with God eternally in an imperishable body
The Universe
Created perfect, ordered, and intelligently designed with predictable laws by an infinite and personal God, but has become corrupted as a result of man’s sin. It is still sustained by His wisdom and power with a linear history destined to culminate with judgment at Christ’s return.
a. Perfectly created
- Genesis 1:1, 31 – God created the universe and declared it to be “very good”
Isaiah 40:28 – The eternal God created with an understanding that is inscrutable - Psalm 33:6-9; Hebrews 11:3a – The universe reflects the wisdom and power of God who spoke it into existence by His Word alone
- Genesis 1:5, 8, etc., 31; 2:1-3 – The creation complete in six days; not depicted as an evolutionary process
- Isaiah 45:18 – God created the earth as a unique place for humans to live
b. Intelligently designed
- Jeremiah 10:12 – God made the earth by His power, His wisdom, and His understanding
- Proverbs 3:19 – The earth and heavens were created with God’s wisdom and understanding
- Romans 1:18-20; Psalm 19:1-4 – God’s intelligent “fingerprints” on His creation manifest His existence
- John 1:3; Colossians 1:16 – The perfect “Logos” (Jesus) was the intelligent source and author of the universe
c. Humanly corrupted (but Divinely sustained)
- Genesis 3:16-19 – The earth cursed by God because of man’s sin; explains hardship and natural disasters
- Romans 8:18-22– Human sin corrupted the creation (futility; groans) away from God’s original intent
- James 4:13-16 – The continuation of our lives is sustained for a time according to God’s will
- Job 14:16 – For now God numbers our steps and sustains human life in spite of our sins
d. Divinely judged and culminated
- Genesis 7:23; 2 Peter 3:5-7, 10 – The original created earth was destroyed by the interim judgment of water (global flood), but the current world will be culminated with a judgment of fire
- Matthew 24:35 – Jesus said that heaven and earth will pass away
- Revelation 21:1 – Future prophecy indicates that the first heaven and the first earth had passed away
e. Ideally re-created
- Revelation 21:1-22:6 – Pain, suffering, tears, and death are gone; unspeakable and holy existence with God
- 2 Peter 3:13 – A new heaven and earth with complete righteousness (no sin) will be created by God for the redeemed to live in forever with Him
- John 14:1-3 – Jesus is preparing “mansions” for the redeemed to be with Him
Time (History)
Time was created, and is actual and linear. The resulting history is providentially and miraculously guided by God to culminate in a predetermined end and a new heaven and earth forever.
a. Began at creation
- Genesis 1:1-5, 14 – God established time with His creation resulting in days, years, etc.
b. Providentially and miraculously guided
- Acts 17:26, 30-31 – God determines the times and boundaries of the nations and the end of time (linear)
- Isaiah 46:9-10 – God knows the end from the beginning and will accomplish His purpose (linear)
- Isaiah 14:24-27 – God has a plan that cannot be frustrated nor can anyone stop His hand
c. Culminates in the new heaven and earth
- Revelation 21:1-5; 22:5 – The old passes away, the new comes, forever and ever
D. The Outcome of Establishing a Christian Worldview
Effective Witness
Every disciple of Jesus Christ has a personal responsibility to participate in the proclamation of Him as Immanuel and Savior so all have an opportunity for redemption and discipleship.
- Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8 – We are witnesses to proclaim repentance for forgiveness of sins in His name to everyone
- Matthew 28:19-20 – We are to make disciples of Jesus throughout the world
- Isaiah 43:10-13 – We are God’s witnesses to proclaim Him as the only God and Savior
- John 17:18 – We are sent into the world, as Jesus was, to continue His mission
