While driving and listening to a Christmas song I was overwhelmed by the presence of the Lord and the reality of what Christmas is really all about. Immanuel, God with us…..this is the true meaning of Christmas and what has given me more joy this year than ever before.
God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16. I know we have heard it a jillion times and maybe that’s the reason the truth of it doesn’t really sink in like it should. He likes, no loves our presence. It’s hard to imagine sometimes I know, but that is the truth. He did what had to be done to satisfy the demands of His justice in order to ‘be with us’. I thought about what Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished”! I know that’s another holiday, but I cried as I wondered why we keep trying to add to that. God wants our fellowship and Jesus made that possible. We make that impossible when we keep adding to what God has already done. We have all sinned and fallen short of His glory and are justified freely by His grace.
I read a scripture in Acts and the part of judging yourself unworthy really spoke to me.
Acts 14:46-47 Certain Jews in Antioch were opposing the gospel the Apostle Paul was preaching and in response Paul’s words were,”It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold we turn to the Gentiles.
We will undoubtedly judge ourselves unworthy anytime we add to what God has already done in sending His son Jesus into the world to be our Savior. God wants your fellowship; don’t deny Him by believing the lie that Jesus isn’t enough. Maybe you don’t think you judge yourself unworthy of eternal life, but enjoying God’s presence is part of eternal life now, not just after we die.
John 17:3 Jesus said,” Now this is eternal life: that they know you the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” To know is to recognize, perceive, feel, even see and be aware of.
Christmas can be a very difficult time for a lot of people and I have been one of them, but no matter what physical circumstances we may be experiencing, nothing can alter the eternal truth that Jesus is the greatest gift we can ever receive, for God demonstrated His love for us and His desire to be with us even now, today.
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