“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
The Christmas narrative in the Bible is the unfolding of God giving that one and only Son. Trust Him and you will live forever.
Merry Christmas!
Royce
We have many details in the Bible about the blessed event of Jesus’ birth, many, hundreds of years old. And the details matter. For you see, if we can’t believe the record of Jesus humble birth given in Scripture the whole idea of Christianity falls like a house of cards.
One detail that stands out among the rest is that he was born of a virgin. His mother conceived, carried and delivered a baby and had never had sexual relations with a man. The Holy Spirit of God fertilized an egg in this chosen girl, Mary, and she delivered the Son of God.
He was and is “The Son of God” in the most literal sense it can be stated. He had no human father. As we would say it in today’s vernacular “His birth father was God”. It is this miraculous conception that makes Jesus unique among all humans. Why is it important?
When Adam made the willing choice to disobey God, his rebellion not only put him at odds with God but the whole human race. The final judgment for sin is death. Adams transgression ushered in both physical and spiritual death and every decedent of Adam bears the curse of sin.
“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned…” (Romans 5:12)
Jesus, with no human father, broke the curse of sin and now the good news follows the above passage saying:
“For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19)
Jesus is referred to as the “new Adam”, the representative of those who would be born again, freed from the curse of sin (death) because of his perfect obedience.
Had Jesus had a human father he would have been no more than his peers growing up in Nazareth, and in spite of his best efforts he would have transgressed God’s law, on purpose, as we all do. But, he did not have a human father, his father is God and he alone is sinless, always obedient to God’s demands, and became the perfect, spotless, unblemished, sacrificial lamb who would give himself as payment for the sins of the world.
It is this unique man, Christ Jesus our Lord who alone could say “I am the Resurrection and the Life”. The babe of Bethlehem is now the one who sits at the right hand of the Father, his work done. Sin, death, hell, and the grave are defeated by the once for all time, once for all people offering, of Jesus. His blood is sufficient to make the most wicked pure and to stay the wrath of God against sin.
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Let us never forget he was born to die. Without his death, burial, and resurrection his birth would be meaningless. But God in his providential wisdom made all the pieces fit. Prophecy fulfilled, God’s demand for perfect righteousness fully met, the fury of his wrath against sin fully executed, all culminating in the redemptive work of the babe of Bethlehem.
It is because of this God-man, Jesus Christ our Lord who is called “God with us”, we can confidently proclaim to every listening ear “Merry Christmas” a Saviour was born!
May the joy born of faith in the Christ fill your hearts and overflow into the lives of those you love in these days of family gatherings and celebration of God’s love gift to humanity.
Royce
Being the curious sort, I often read the classifieds in the Christian Chronicle, a wonderful news paper filled with news of interest to church of Christ people. Each issue will have ads where local churches are trying to hire preachers. It is not uncommon for the job requirements to include that the candidate be married, that he has graduated from a “brotherhood school”, or has earned a four-year degree.
One of the most interesting requirements is that he be “sound”. What does that mean? “Sound” is one of those words with many, many meanings but in the context of describing a preacher one or more of the word’s use as an adjective would apply. Which of these do you suppose churches intend when they advertise they want a “sound” man?
3. competent, sensible, or valid: sound judgment.
4. having no defect as to truth, justice, wisdom, or reason: sound advice.
5. of substantial or enduring character: sound moral values.
6. following in a systematic pattern without any apparent defect in logic: sound reasoning.
7. uninterrupted and untroubled; deep: sound sleep.
8. vigorous, thorough, or severe: a sound thrashing.
9. free from moral defect or weakness; upright, honest, or good; honorable; loyal.
10. having no legal defect: a sound title to property.
11. theologically correct or orthodox, as doctrines or a theologian.
Several of these could apply but number 11 likely comes closest to what is intended. Or does it?
I think that rather than using the word as an adjective, many of our folks use the word “sound”, when referring to a preacher, as a noun.
The primary criteria is not that he teaches “sound” doctrine. The wish is that he holds forth the traditions that the traditional churches of Christ hold dear.
An example of the subtle difference would be the subject of a capella singing. Does this church want a man who will open the Scriptures and teach what it says, and only what it says on the subject? Or, do they want a man who will perpetuate a myth?
I must ask myself the question, am I a “sound” man? Do I love truth? Do I pursue it? Do I settle for less than the truth? And, much more important than if I have the truth, does the truth have me?
Is my life controlled by the words of Scripture or do I use Scripture to my own ends? Do I pick and choose verses, sometimes out of context, to prop up my pet doctrine? I hope not. I pray that I don’t.
I hope that when we in the churches of Christ use the word “sound” in relation to a preacher or teacher we will sincerely want him to be devoted to the Lordship of Jesus and a sincere seeker of the truth of Scripture, even if it goes against what we hold dear.
I want that kind of “sound” man behind the sacred desk on Sunday.
Royce
I don’t know when my life will end but I do know where my human body will stop at last.
The place is jut waiting for me in Lake Dallas, Texas. As of this moment I plan on waiting to go to that last destination as long as possible.
Remember the verse of the song “Everybody wants to go to heaven but no one wants to die”? That’s me. This morning I read the obituary column in the local paper and about a half-dozen people younger than me had died. There is little that is a better reminder of one’s mortality.
Thankfully, this small piece of real estate in North Texas is not really the end. It is the place where my temporary home will be planted. But some day the one who said to Martha “I am the Resurrection and the Life” will call his own to himself and the bodies of believers will be recreated as immortal beings living in bodies that reflect the glory of Jesus Christ, like him, with him forever.
So, for me, what is called in the Scriptures the “blessed hope” (the return of Jesus) is a blessed certainty. The question is never “If?” but rather “When?”.
These days of family gatherings, parties, and fun are filled with pain and misery for some of your friends, neighbors, or perhaps even family. The sorrow of who is missing from the festivities is very, very painful for some survivors. So, be respectful, be sensitive, and give space to those who are still grieving. Be a good listener, weep with them, hug them, and just be with them at their request. That is the best gift you can give someone who is grieving.
Merry Christmas all,
Royce
Grace Digest 