Grace and Love: the Reason for the Season

21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 NKJV







 Today is Christmas. As born again, children of God we know the reason for the season. We know Christmas is about the celebration of Jesus' birth. As true as that is, Christmas is so much more than that. It is the celebration of the love and the amazing Grace of God. In this time we celebrate what our good Father has done for us. He gave us the greatest gifts of all, the new creation, the gift of no condemnation and eternal life. This is why we lift up the name of Jesus in this season.

The Exalted Name of Jesus

 Christmas is certainly the most wonderful time of the year. We see such peace and joy and harmony around the globe. Stories abound of the kindness and generosity of ordinary citizens the whole world round. People think of loved ones and family they may have lost touch with. Not just in movies and television, we do see some people pause and reflect on family and friends even though it may be just a fleeting thought. Why is this? 

 If you pause and ponder in your heart what do you see and hear all around you? We see nativity scenes. We see Scripture referencing the Christmas story on cards, on billboards and signs. We hear Christmas Carols in shops, malls, department stores and blaring over the radio. Many of these Carols are classic hymns referencing Jesus and His glorious birth.

 What we are seeing and hearing is the globe exalting the name of Jesus. He is the Prince of Peace. When the name of Jesus is lifted high it shifts the atmosphere. Certainly, we still see evil and unkind acts in the World. Sure we see strangers battling in the store for that "perfect" gift. In spite of that, in the midst of the daily grind, pause and reflect. Look at this time from a different perspective. See if not, just briefly, how Jesus' name is uplifted and His goodness is spoken of. People around the globe are singing Carols and they don't even realize they are lifting high the name of the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, the very person of Grace. 

 With this occurrence, it's so clear now why there is just something special about the atmosphere. Take note. In recent years, have you heard of the "war on Christmas"? Certainly, some of this rhetoric can be political in motive. However, there have been attempts by "secular progressives" to remove all mention of the birth of Christ in public square. This has nothing to do, in reality with left or right wing politics. Sure it manifests itself this way, but the attempts to remove Christ out of Christmas is the work of the enemy because he hates the name of Jesus being exalted.

 Even if the local leaders ban any public displays of Jesus, they can't stop it all. We can still show the love and Grace of God in this season. We can be the light of Jesus by lifting up His name by doing kind deeds in His name. No matter what law men may pass there is no law they can pass to stop the manifested fruit of the Spirit. 

 Understanding just what makes Christmas so special even to the secular world, we can see God's heart for us all. When we uplift Jesus we are uplifting the Grace and love of our Almighty Father. Before Christ came, the World was divided by the wall of separation of either being a Jew or a Gentile. The Gentiles were strangers from the promises. When Jesus came, God revealed this wall is coming down. This separation is over. 

8 In the same region there were shepherds staying out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone around them, and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. 11 For this day in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (the Messiah). 12 And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find a Baby wrapped in [swaddling] cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (angelic army) praising God and saying, 14  “Glory to God in the highest [heaven], And on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.” Luke 2:8-14 AMP

 This passage has been used to teach, that God's offer of peace and goodwill was only toward deserving men. Men of "good character." This performance rooted theology flies in the face of the revealed will of God. First, we know not a single one of us are just men or good men in and of ourselves. Apart from Christ, we are spiritually dead and follow the leading and promptings of our own unrenewed intellect and appetites.  Secondly, if we were already deserving and of good character why did we need Jesus in the first place? 

 The reality is these glad tidings were heralding the good news of Grace and love. This announcement was to let mankind know that in Christ and because of Christ's Finished Work any man, be they Jew or Gentile will find favor with God. That God is well pleased with men. In other words, this is the message of reconciliation. That in Christ, the barrier between God and man, which is sin, is done away for all eternity. No more is there a sin problem. Now there is only a reception problem. People only need to personally receive this generous offer of everlasting life.

The Reason for the Season?

 His everlasting love and over the top Grace are the true reason for the season. For God so loved the World, He gave us His Son. His love for us sent Jesus to be the propitiation for all the sins of all mankind. 

 None of us were deserving of this gift. No one had merited enough favor with God by their deeds. Jesus didn't die for us because we weren't really that bad. Our faults, failures, and separation from God was surely an illusion, a mere mental misunderstanding, right? No, we were in need of salvation, all of us. Each and every one of us. We were lost, spiritually dead and apart from God in our thinking and ways. We mustn't take the amazing out of Grace. 

 God's great love for us and His amazing Grace, saw our plight and stooped down and became one of us. He took upon Himself our sins and sickness and bore all the curse on that Cross. God's love and great Grace was the reason for it all. 

 As you fellowship with friends, loved ones and family ponder the real reason for the season. As He gave, be generous as well with those around you. Certainly, I am not talking about going into debt to buy for others, I am just saying be generous in your love and kindness and whatever you can give, do it cheerfully and with the motive of love and Grace. 

 Even if you're alone this day, know you are never truly alone. He is with you and His love is overflowing towards you. As believers, be a blessing to someone who is alone if you can. 

 Merry Christmas, and celebrate Jesus, the Father's love, and great Grace this day. You're loved. You're forgiven. You've received the gift of no condemnation and are eternally secure. In Christ, we've received the greatest gift of all, Jesus.

Image courtesy of jannoon028 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Christmas: Truth vs Tradition

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: Matthew 1:18a

13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do. Mark 7:13 NKJV

 It's the most wonderful time of the year. It's time for cheer. It's time for families to gather together. It's time for lights, tinsel, and decorated trees. It's the season of peace and joy. It's the time to gather for candlelight services. It's also the time and season for unScriptural traditions of men.

The Christmas season is a wonderful time of the year. It is joyous to celebrate it. In this time of year, we have the eyes and ears of many. Christmas carols are played in malls and town squares. People are singing about Jesus and uplifting His name and they may not even realize it. 

 With all eyes on the Church, let's stop perpetuating myths, and traditions of men. As one minister wisely said, they already attack the faith through evolution and other means to discredit the truth, why help in their assault on the truth by spreading lies? We need to stay with the Scriptures when it comes to proclaiming the birth of Christ.

Christmas Facts vs Fiction

 UnScriptural songs, incorrect nativity scenes abound in this season. Let's share the true Christmas story free from tradition and have a greater impact. What am I referencing?

 How many wise men?

 How many wise men were there? Oh, that's easy three right? No, that is the traditional view. We can attribute this tradition to songs like "We 3 kings" and people not actually reading the Bible. 

 We are never told how many there were. We are only told they were Magi. They likely had some dealings with astronomy. We are not told how many there were. Some come up with three as the number because they brought three gifts. Let's stay with truth and disregard tradition. We don't know the number of the wise men. We just know that there were wise men from the East who came to see Jesus.

The Nativity scene

I know you spent money on that Nativity set. I know you bought those Christmas cards that depict the Nativity. You might want to reconsider once you compare those cards and sets with the Gospel accounts of Jesus birth. 

 

 If your Nativity set or cards have the wise men present then you just bought a religious tradition untruth. The truth is the wise men weren't there for His birth. That may be news to you but go back to Matthew and Luke and verify for yourself.

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, Matthew 2:1 NKJV

 After Jesus was already born in Bethlehem, wise men from the East came. We are not sure the exact time but based on Matthew 2, it appears that 2 years have passed. Well, when did the Wise men come see Jesus?

9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11 NKJV

 A young child isn't a baby. A young child in the house isn't a babe in a manger. The Scripture refers to Jesus birth as a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes. When the wise men came He is a young child. How could the wise men be at the birth of Christ, when it is clear they were still following the star while Christ was born in Bethlehem? The wise men weren't a witness to the birth in the manger. 

 What's the point? The point is simple. Let's share the story of the Savior's birth. But let's share the true story not a story muddled by traditions of men.

 UnScriptural songs

This is one of those things that bother me. Traditions and untruths are perpetuated Sunday after Sunday by singing unScriptural songs.  I don't like songs based on Christianity that ignore the Word of God. At this time of the year one of the greatest unScriptural songs is "Mary did you know".

 I know this song sounds sweet and sentimental and Christ-exalting but it's so Biblically illiterate. You need to go back and re-read Luke 1, here. Did Mary know?

 If you read Luke 1, you will see Mary before she was pregnant the angel visiting her. So when she was carrying Jesus in her womb, yes Mary knew that her son was the Savior. You really want to make that song Scriptural? Then change it to Mary asking you did you know the child she was carrying can save you, deliver you or heal you?

 This is the most wonderful time of the year. Jesus is being proclaimed all throughout the known World. People are singing carols and in unison, the planet is unknowingly declaring the glory of God. Let's celebrate this season of love, peace, and goodwill by sharing the true Christmas account not traditions of men passed down from generation to generation. 

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Jesus Can't Help You: the Real Lie of Religious Tradition.

13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do. Mark 7:13 NKJV




  In our last study, we saw that God's provision isn't a lottery system rooted in performance and rewarded to believers upon merit. We also brought balance. God is our healer, God is our provider. He is a good Father. Yet we see so much suffering in this World.

 We must acknowledge that is a fractured creation. It is a fallen World. In a fallen World, we are susceptible to poor decision making. Money managing errors, poor choices in our eating, and adopting unhealthy habits. Why is this? Because a broken world also corrupts our thinking. We also see evil arise in a fallen World.

 Men who are corrupted inwardly and outwardly cause suffering and torment to those around them. Nations whose God isn't the Lord serve false gods and systems of thought. These carry consequences of despair and desolation. In all this, what are we to expect as believers? What about God's kids?

 While we aren't preaching fantasy that all our days will be flowery beds of ease without any interference, we still need to realize Jesus is still the Lord. He is the Victor. God is on the throne. He is triumphant. 
...And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:32b,33 NKJV

I love Jesus' words here. Note He said the Father is with Him. He then says be of good cheer I overcame the World. Yeah, there are tribulations but that isn't the focus. Jesus said in Him there is peace. What this means for us is, no matter what the situation or circumstances, we are never alone. He is always with us.

 This week I came across a moving story of a veteran who suffered from PTSD. The PTSD issues were overtaking his life. He finally got saved. Sadly, the symptoms were still there. The torment was relentless. Sadly, he had gotten saved in a church that didn't teach much but that Jesus can save you. On advice from his wife, he met with the pastor. 

 After the meeting, he came home. His wife asked how'd it go? He said the pastor said, "Jesus can't help you." He then kissed his wife and went to another room and took his own life. This shook me inside and out.

 Then it dawned on me. This is truly the real message of religious tradition. No matter what the subject, the answer is the same. Cut away the deep theological terminology, the denominational lingo, ritualistic religiosity and the experiential claims, and the answer is the same. Jesus can't help you. 

Jesus can't help you!

 Religious tradition acknowledges that if you accept the Lord, you're born again. You're saved, that's the limits of what God can do. After that, there isn't too much God can do for you.

 Forgiveness of sins. Religion will agree God forgives. However, this is only your past sins. What if you want your future sins forgiven? Jesus can't help you. For your future sins to be forgiven is an impossibility. You must confess and repent or turn away from sin for you to be forgiven. Because you can't do that until you first sin, there can be no future sins forgiven. If your future sins were already forgiven, then that would give us a license to sin. 

 Jesus says otherwise. In the Finished Work, He forgave us once for all time. When you believe in the Lord and accept what He did you're forgiven for each and every sin you have ever committed, the ones you are committing and even the ones you haven't committed yet. 

13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. Colossians 2:13 NLT

Eternal Security. Religious tradition will say there is security for the believer in Christ, but you can lose your salvation. You want to be unconditionally eternally secure? Jesus can't help you. You must perfect the work He began in you. You want to ensure you're going to make it to Heaven? Jesus can't help you, but you can help yourself by not becoming entangled in too much sin. You must never turn back or backslide. If you endure, stay sin free and forgive everyone then perhaps you will make it.

 Jesus says otherwise. In Christ, we are eternally secure. Our salvation is anchored in Christ work, not our performance or endurance. We are sealed until the day of redemption, not until the day we sin too much or walk away. We are hidden in Him. What He began in us, He will complete it. Once we're saved we are eternally saved and secure.
28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. John 10:28-29 NKJV

Holy Spirit and His Gifts. Tradition says there is a Holy Spirit. That is about as far as they will go. Want to walk in power from on High? Want to demonstrate His power to a hurting World? Sorry, Jesus can't help you. Those gifts and empowerment we read about in Acts were for only a select few and not for today.

 Jesus says otherwise. If you want power for this life you just need to ask! Jesus is the Baptizer in the Spirit. His Spirit bestows these gifts as the need arises. Just be an open vessel, filled or baptized in His Spirit and be expectant of Him to use you and He will. Sometimes it's a kind uplifting word. Sometimes it's a friendly smile. Sometimes its the boldness to go pray for someone right there on the spot. His Gifts flow in situations like this when compassion and seeing His name renowned is your motive.

13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. Luke 11:13 NLT

 Healing. God is a healer. Religion can't deny that. Though I sometimes think they wish they could rip those pages out. Tradition says healing is hit and miss. He sometimes does and doesn't. Because we see so many not healed it won't happen for you. Need healing Jesus can't help you. Healing can't be in the Finished Work, you're on your own. Better find a good doctor. 

 Have inner turmoil? Have depression? Fighting Addiction? This is just your cross to bear. Tradition would say we can perhaps recommend a good psychologist. Jesus sure can't help you.

 Jesus says otherwise.

He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. 1 Peter 2:24 NLT

He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

 He is good. He is our healer. He paid for our wholeness in the Finished Work. Healing is in His perfect plan and will for our lives. Why then are some not healed? Tradition seems right when they say it's hit and miss with healing. So they err on the side of healing will not occur. 

 What they don't get is it isn't God choosing not to heal. God healed us in the Finished Work. It is done. The issue is we live in a fallen world. We have an enemy, though he has been defeated is an outlaw spirit who resists God and the Church. 

 Think of this. We were saved and forgiven but we still sin, why? Because we aren't saved yet from the presence of sin. Same as sickness, disease, and heartache. We Trust in the Finished Work. We exercise faith in what is done. Many many times the healing comes. Other times, we see this fallen World at work along with an enemy opposing us. The truth is in Christ there is no loss for the child of God. Even if the disease strikes hard and fast and gets a head start on our faith and before the Finished Work can fully manifest in our lives, we still win because we are ushered into Heaven to be with Jesus and we have a brand new body! What a deal we got! Jesus did it!

Financial provision. Got a need? Well, Jesus wants you poor and humble. Got a bill due? Sorry, Jesus can't help you. Surely the Cross doesn't make a way for help and provision in this life. You're on your own. Better call the Bank.

 Jesus says otherwise.

19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NKJV

God is a good Father. He doesn't desire to see us unable to pay our bills, to have unreliable transportation and to starve to death. Yet we do see some in poverty and in famine. Why is this? Again this is a fallen World and evil men exploit others. This is why we want and pray for His supply in our lives. If we are blessed we should do all we can to help. 

 There are relief programs that are designed to help the needy. How then do we see supply? God gives us the wisdom to help us better manage our goods. He gives us His favor. Favor opens doors. Listen, no matter what this favor extends to all believers on this planet. He is no respecter of persons. He can and does show kindness to all His kids, not just those in the West. We just have to open our eyes and see His hands moving.

Religion Lies! Jesus IS our present help!

 The good news is we do have a help and hope in Jesus! He is our present help in all our times of need! Tradition doesn't know or understand how to receive from their Father. They excel in unbelief because sadly, many have never had a true encounter with the risen Christ. He is majestic, triumphant and victorious! When the Champion lives within we can't help but overcome.

 In summation, lay aside the lies of tradition. Jesus is there for us no matter what. He is in us and upon us by His Spirit. He is our peace and comfort in the midst of the worst the enemy and this fallen World may bring. He is our healer and provider. He will never leave or abandon us. Contrary to religion Jesus can help you! 

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