As mankind recovers from the overindulgence of the Christmas season, I wonder how many who profess faith in the true meaning of Christ's birth are honestly assessing if we are honoring Him and why He came to live among us. Maybe it's my advancing years that has me carefully looking at my life [and the world], but I find myself sensing the magnitude of how much we've failed Him.
I am not given to gloom and doom, or a sense of defeat. In fact, I am exceedingly mindful that He loves us and all that He's created; that He forgives us when we ask in repentance, expecting us to forgive others who've hurt us. And I praise His Name and work in my life. But, still, I often feel a heaviness that blankets my soul. And my spirit cries out, Forgive me, Jesus, for putting my needs and feelings before those of others! I haven't followed Your example of being a humble, sacrificing servant. I truly mean it when I ask You to cleanse me of everything that is not of You; I want to be worthy to invite you to sit on the throne of my heart!
The joy of the hope of Christmas is true and encouraging. So, the world has no excuse for the state it's in. God made His presence known to Abraham, Moses, and the prophets, telling them what He expected from mankind and bidding them to share His precepts, statutes, and guidelines for pleasing Him. Actually, ancient civilizations [such as the Sumerians] that predate the father of our faith, had creation and flood stories that mimic what we've been given in our Bible. Modern man is the recipient of a collection of texts considered to be the authoritative and inspired Word of God, determined in the 3rd-4th centuries by various councils [including Councils of Nicaea, Rome, and Carthage]. It wasn't until the Fifteenth Century [1455, to be exact,] that the masses had access to the printed Word, available in the Gutenberg Bible.
But my point is this: Since the creation of the world, God and Jesus have made themselves known. We've had thousands of years to get it right. Paul explicitly tells us in Romans 1:20, Since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. So, here I sit, the day after Christmas, a day we ostensibly profess that we are celebrating the birth of our God and declaring our faithfulness as His followers -- yet the world doesn't reflect what we proclaim.
It is obvious we need a Savior. And, yes, He came as an innocent, helpless baby. But if that's the only Jesus that people relate to, then I guess I can understand [a little], why so many people aren't convicted of their sins or His divine authority. I can understand why they don't have the "fear of God' [the reverence and recognition of His full identity]. And that's where I often find my active faith wanting. The world is a reflection of how we reflect Him in our lives! We are pretty good at sharing His attributes of Love, Grace, and Mercy. But the full picture of our Savior includes His character as a warrior king, a righteous judge, and the commander of Heaven's armies -- waging war against the dark kingdom of Satan's forces; forces who have found a world too eager to give in to its temptations of power, wealth, and fame. That's a powerful motivation to skip studying God's revelation about Himself, and seek what pleases ourselves.
So, most of the world is left with images of Jesus as a newborn baby, or a physical man whose message is defeated as he dies, nailed to a wooden cross. Sadly, even Christians don't take the time to seek the fullness of who He is from the inspired Scriptures. It's there, if you have the desire to know "the whole story". Within that holy Book, you will see Him with eyes blazing; hair as white as snow; feet like fine brass [as if refined in a furnace]; with a sharp, two-edged sword coming forth from His mouth; His countenance like the sun shining in its strength; a Lamb having seven horns and seven eyes [the seven Spirits of God]; who will rule all nations with a rod of iron; clothed in a robe dipped in blood; riding a white horse, judging and waging war in righteousness... and all because of our sin.
It's easy to get caught up in the sentimentality and emotionalism of Christmas. And it does remind us that God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. The love of God is most assuredly part of the Christmas spirit. But as we come out of the romanticism and nostalgia of the Christmas season, we are met with the truth of what the world really looks like. And that finds me repenting, asking my Lord for the forgiveness of my part in its failing Him.
So join me in reviewing what Jesus has commanded us to do -- live both a compassionate, loving life and a moral, righteous one. Let us take a good look at ourselves and commit to repent; believe in Him with all our hearts, minds, and souls; and put others before ourselves, serving selflessly, just as He did. When we pursue an intimate relationship with Him; praise and worship Him; care for others less fortunate or in need; and turn from our sins of greed, materialism, and selfishness, He will respond and lead us on paths of His righteousness. And that will lead to us reflecting His moral justice system, such as defending the unborn; and fighting human trafficking, religious persecution and oppression.
So, today, I commend my spirit to renew my commitment to furthering the Kingdom of God. I ask Jesus to help me fulfill the Great Commission to which He has called me ... to share the Hope I have in Him and His promises, and to make Him known among all peoples. I have repented because I know His expectations are high, but I also know that the Holy Spirit resides in me and will empower me to reflect the Glory of my Savior as I take a stand for His Kingdom. This broken world will be conquered by the love of Christ, and I want to be a part of seeing that promise come to fruition. Bless you all as we move forward into 2026, the year of our Lord!
Philippians 1:27 Only [be sure to] lead your lives in a manner [that will be] worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I do come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit [and one purpose] with one mind striving side by side [as if in combat] for the faith of the gospel.
