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When Love Came Down
Christmas means that “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” John 1:14. God “demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8. If we are willing to believe, the Holy Spirit will enable us to know that Love Came Down to earth because God loves us and wants to save us. Only a few took notice when Jesus was born in Bethlehem—an event that was of vital important because only Jesus, as God, can forgive sins. The story begins Matthew 1:21-23 when the angel said to Joseph, "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’—which means, ‘God with us.’" God wants to give us everything a loving father could give his children. The prodigal son was separated from home by his own willful choice to leave his home. He was hungry and he lacked many things because of his decision to leave his father. When the son decided to return, his father could do many things for him. Likewise, when we choose to turn back to God in believing and trusting faith, He is able to do many things for us—healing without drugs, daily needs without laid-up money, protection without devices or insurance, and salvation by a trusting faith in the atonement of Christ. The name Jesus—Jehovah will save—is a testimony of God's divine love. The importance of Jesus’ name is that Acts 4:12 "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." That is why the angel said “You are to give him the name Jesus.” Only by a believing and trusting faith in the atonement blood of Jesus, can our sins be forgiven. Jesus—as God—came to deliver us from sin, sickness, self, Satan, and the lake of fire. God promises to heal us when oppressed of the devil, if we will confess our sins, put believing faith in the atonement of Christ, and reject the world’s plans, pills, or prescriptions. God has promised to direct our spiritual path, if we will trust Him in faith to do that. And He promises to save us from the lake of fire, by His grace through our faith in His Son, if we will believe Him and trust Him. John 11:25-26 "I am the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in me, even if he has died, he shall live; and every one who is living and is a believer in me shall never, never die." All of these gifts from God are appropriated by faith in the shed blood of His Son. God is doing everything possible to give the gift of grace, but the world rejects it, and refuses to trust Him in believing faith. Although many sing peace and good will during this season, too often it is soon forgotten. The true meaning of Christmas is to have Christ in our heart every moment of every day, trusting in His atonement every hour, and showing divine love throughout the year. Christ came to this earth for a reason, and we must know what He is able to do for those who choose to place a trusting faith in His sacrifice of atonement for sins. Jesus would want us to recognize His birth and why He came to earth, but He would not want us to profit financially from the season by selling things. Christmas introduces the world to the Son of God whose life can change lives forever if the individual is willing to believe in their heart that He is God in the flesh, and that He must be trusted in faith for real life issues. The birth of Jesus was the fulfillment of God's promise of a Savior. Isaiah 9:6 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." The child who would be born, would be a Savior for all people of every nation—for anyone who would choose to accept Him as Lord, and would allow Him to change their heart from rebellion and unbelief, to submission and trusting faith in His atonement. "Unto us a child is born" says that He began life as an infant like everyone. Jesus experienced temptations familiar to all. Hebrews 4:15 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin." Jesus suffered excruciating pain, as He took on Himself, the sins of the world. He was crucified on a cross, to pay for the sins we committed. Jesus came as God in the flesh to conquer Satan and sin, and now He gives spiritual light to those in spiritual darkness—if they will believe Him and trust Him in faith. Zechariah 14:9 "The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name." Jesus is the absolute Ruler of our life. He said Luke 17:21 "The kingdom of God is within you." Christ in our heart means His Spirit gives us the desire to put a trusting faith in His sacrifice of atonement for everything—health, healing, provisions, protection, and every other need. Love came down to teach us God’s truth, to give divine guidance every day, and to save our soul from eternal suffering. The world will trust in anyone but the very One they should trust—Jesus Christ. He is "the way and the truth and the life” John 14:6. Jesus is called the Son of the Most High because He is God in nature. The angel announced Luke 1:32 “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” John 14:9. Also ”If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God” John 7:17. God in person visited our planet. Jesus came down to give us the Father‘s Truth—a Truth we are accept and put into practice every day. John 15:12-14 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” All things are possible with God Matthew 19:26, so it is our Atonement right to believe and trust Him for healing without medicine, supplies without laid-up resources, protection without human plans, and every other gift God wants to freely give, if we will trust Him in believing faith. As God in nature, Jesus can forgive sins, defeat Satan, free us from the power of sin, heal our body, supply our needs, and answer every prayer placed before Him in believing and trusting faith. Romans 5:1 "Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Messiah’s arrival was a proclamation that divine peace, healing, protection, provisions, and justice is available to all who will repent and truly accept Him into their heart. Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." God’s favor rests on those who love Him with all of their heart, and who are committed to trust Him in believing faith for all things—healing, provisions, protection, justice, forgiveness, and eternal life. God promises salvation if we will turn from our sins, repent, accept His Son Jesus into our heart, and place a trusting faith in His atonement work on the cross for the cleansing we need. John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” Everyone who is willing to believe in faith can receive His gift of grace. Those who believe in the atonement blood of Jesus and endure through every test of faith, will be escorted into His Father’s kingdom. James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” It is time to reflect on God’s love that gives us spiritual life and many blessings. It is time to be considerate of others and to help someone feel wanted and loved. It means giving and wanting nothing in return because “It is more blessed to give than to receive" Acts 20:35. The Creator of the universe is here in the presence of His Spirit—ready to do great things for those willing to trust Him in faith. Most professing believers do not give God anything to do, or they limit His power in some way; nevertheless, He is present here on earth to do great things for His children, if we will ask Him in faith. "I will never leave you nor forsake you” Hebrews 13:5. Anything we could need spiritually, physically, or materially is available from God—by faith in Christ. God Incarnate gave us His promises. Our responsibility is to believe them and claim them in faith, so we can receive them from a God who is always faithful to fulfill every promise. NIV John 14:13 “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.” †††
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Century Gospel Church © 2010 |
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