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Friday, December 24, 2021

The Reason for Christmas

But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. [1 John 2.5-6]

Well, that about sums it up! Obedience to God's Word means that we live our lives to look and act like Jesus. Jesus was given to the world for a reason.

John is not really unclear: he says that if we don't look and act like Jesus, then we do not belong to Jesus.

Here is further assessment of what a Christian is:

So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God. [1 John 3.10]

And again, Jesus is our example and model for how to live:

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. [1 John 3.16]

If we have to sum up Jesus' life in a word besides the word love, it would be selfless. It really is simple: Our lives exist for the benefit of others. But you won't find this fact addressed on the self-help section of the bookstore!

In fact, modern society has become so self-absorbed that, for the most part, we look at the life and works of Jesus in a dumbfounded state of mind. Most have simply categorized Jesus' life in this way: "That was then, this is now - I don't know, I don't understand, and I am not going to try to understand - I mean, I still have to take care of myself." But we all sure want to enjoy the covenant promises, benefits, peace and power of being "Christian."

Here is a thought: For all the power Jesus demonstrated in His ministry time on earth, no single act more fully depicted the meaning and purpose of Jesus' life than when He allowed (yes, "allowed") Himself to be crucified. Think of it this way: all the miracles Jesus performed should have pretty much said "can't touch this" (using a popular phrase), and yet, Jesus, powerful as He had established that He was to that point, went willingly to His crucifixion. If Jesus had not previously demonstrated that He was operating by a power no man could control, His arrest would not have been in such contrast. The contrast of Jesus willingly giving His life, even though He could have summoned all the power of the universe as we know it to save himself, is without equal. Jesus Himself said it like this:

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. [John 15.13]

But, Jesus didn't just say it - He did it. And the eternal power of salvation was made available for mankind because He did.

What power might be unleashed if we put Jesus' example into practice with our lives?

Father, I want to please You with my life - not because it is mine to keep, but mine to give. Be glorified as I give it...

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