Posts Tagged ‘ Gospel ’
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
Isaiah 9:2, ESV
We all walk in the darkness of sin, unable to break through. God came to us in the Person of Jesus, the source of light breaking through our darkness.
By this light we are saved from sin.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7, ESV
We don’t want to love others, but the God who came to us to show His love can fill us with His love to then want to love others.
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
John 3:5, ESV
At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.
Jesus came to live amongst us, teaching the truths of God and proving them with miracles, signs, and wonders.
Even the religious elite could see it, but they could not understand without help.
If the most religious and smartest could not understand the ways of God, what hope could the rest of us have?
What does Jesus tell us about salvation?
Born of water: baptism does play a role, but this also tells us that only humans can be saved. (Fallen angels cannot be saved.)
Born of the Spirit: only those who believe and receive the Holy Spirit can be saved. (John 16:7-15)
This is difficult to comprehend, but only by trusting the Holy Spirit and the truth of the gospel of Christ can we inherit eternal life in Christ.
Jesus came to bring us life free from sin and in eternity with Him.
Christ has come, and we must seek the wisdom of His Holy Spirit and forgiveness of sins. (James 1:5; 1 John 1:9)
May we seek the Lord who has offered us His Holy Spirit, salvation, and eternal life.
But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.
Matthew 2:22-23, ESV
At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.
Jesus came to live amongst us, bringing danger to His earthly family.
Though one danger may pass, it does not mean all danger is gone.
We still see that God protects His own.
The one who tried to kill fellow image-bearers in an attempt to destroy God had died, but his just as twisted son took his place.
God once again sent a dream to Joseph to protect this family. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were still not completely safe, but in this moment we can see that God keeps His promises.
God was not surprised by any of the events surrounding the birth and early childhood of Jesus. In fact, He had it prophesied centuries earlier.
There were still those who would hurt the young Jesus and God’s faithful servants.
This world may not be safe, and we also know that this world is not our home, but we can rely on the promises and prophecies of God.
Again, Christ has shown us how to live and trust and love in the midst of danger.
May we seek the Lord who has saved us from sin and shown us His power over time, death, and evil.
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32, ESV
We celebrate that our God has redeemed us, forgiven us our sins.
Now, we turn to others (even in the Church), showing the same kindness and forgiveness He has shown to us that they may also celebrate with us.
And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Daniel 12:3, ESV
Our God has saved us, and He sends us to show others salvation in Christ. With every new believer we rejoice and worship our Savior.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Philippians 4:4, ESV
Our God has saved us from our sin and offered hope of eternal life.
Let us rejoice and worship our Lord for His great work and love!
Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.
Matthew 2:16, ESV
At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.
Jesus came, and the first powerful person to hear about him reacted … violently
Have things really changed?
We still react to God in violent and nasty ways, usually against each other. When we get upset, we attack God by attacking His image found in each of us.
We demean each other, mock and ridicule and belittle each other. We kill and mutilate ourselves and each other, our children, our elderly and infirm.
All of this is our attempt to push away and destroy God from in our lives.
And we all do it.
Herod wanted to destroy Christ, but he was only fulfilling prophecy.
Christ came to save us, and it meant living in this fallen world with all of its dangers and temptations.
But He did not give in, and turned our anger and violence into the tools to save us.
Let us respect the image of God in each other, turning to the One who took on our image to redeem us.
May we seek the Lord who works in the midst of our sin to redeem us from sin.
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11, ESV
God sent His Truth into the world. The gospel will be preached to the whole world, and all will bow before Christ.
Choose Life now. Choose love and God’s Way.
a simple man of God 