You know, it puzzles me that the whole world seems to celebrate Christmas,
yet so few live up to the true meaning of Christmas. Do you know why we
should celebrate Christmas? It isn't to see who can buy the most expensive
gifts, or who can put up the most elaborate light display. It isn't even to
celebrate Santa Clause. The true meaning of Christmas is to celebrate the
birth of Jesus Christ. I do not know the state of your relationship with
Christ at this time. Do you have one? If so, is it the type of
relationship that it should be? Or do you only call upon God in times of
need? My friend, we live in such selfish times, so many people fit into the
category of only talking to God when they want something.
So why did Jesus come into this world? He didn't come here to bring peace,
like so many believe.
Jesus said:
Does Jesus not divide this world? Not only is man divided between believers
and non-believers, but also believers are even divided among themselves.
Being divided is basically what this life is about. God is weeding out
those who are true believers from those who either do not believe or either
only cry to God when they need Him. I have only one thing to say to those
people: God brought Jesus Christ into this world not because He needs us,
but because we need Him. But, we need Him more than to just help us out of
a bad situation we may be in, or more than just to answer prayers. We need
Him to fill our soul with His awesome love, his grace, and his forgiveness.
Jesus also came into this world to pay the price for our sins, as well as so
that we may live our lives more abundantly.
Jesus said:
Do you see how much God loves you? He loves you so much that He sent his
only begotton Son into this world so that you don't have to die for the sin
in your life.
"'Do you think that I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell
you, but division.'"
(Luke 12:51, NIV)
"'The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.'"
(John 10:10, NIV)
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord."
(Romans 6:23, NIV)
It is a gift from God that you don't have to die for your sins. There is not anything that you or I or anyone else could do to achieve salvation on our own. Christ paid the ultimate penalty for all sins: past, present, and future. Do you believe that someone could love you so much to do that? I know it may be difficult to believe or understand why, especially in this day in age when love is so hard to find, but it is true that God loves you. He loves you very much. The thing is, that same God of love I'm talking about, is also a God of hate.
"There are six things that the Lord hates. Seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers." (Proverbs 6:16-19, NIV)
Basically this means that though God loves you very much, and though He will be very long suffering and patient with you to come to His side, He does have the power to destroy those who don't. Jesus said:
"'Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.'" (Matthew 10:28, NIV)Jesus didn't say that to scare people away from God, but in hopes that they will come to Him. God doesn't wake up to every day wondering who He can zap to Hell; He wakes up wondering who will dedicate their life to Him for the first time or who might rededicate their life to Him after falling away.
Most people do have the chance to learn God's Word and His plan for salvation. God will certainly give you that chance, in fact, He has already. God has written to you a letter. Have you read it yet? If not, I invite you to do so. The name of His letter to you is called The Bible. Open one up today, and make the move towards Jesus Christ. Your life will get better.
God loves you very much, and He wants you to follow Him and His good ways. Christmas is more than just gifts, trees, lights, and all of the other commercialization that manifest itself this time of year. Christmas is about love, not only for God and Jesus Christ, but towards each other. Jesus is the reason for this day. He came into this world, in a flesh body just as you and I have, and He set the example of how to live your life. Moreover, He paid a huge penalty for your sins. Is it time that you give something back to Christ Jesus for a change? Is it time that you give your life over to Him?