THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST

AND THE NEW BIRTH HE OFFERS

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

The Biblical account of the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, when God became a man and dwelt among us, is provided in Matthew chapters 1 & 2, Luke 1 & 2, and John 1. I recommend that everybody read these great passages with their families this Christmas day.

Sending Jesus to earth, to be our Savior, was God the Father's greatest gift to man. As Jesus said, For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

The purpose of His coming was that we might know God, recognize that we are separated from God because of our sinful nature and sins, and be our Savior - to save us from our sins so that we would not perish, but rather, could have eternal life.

The key to eternal life was provided by Jesus in the preceding 15 verses of the chapter (John 3:1-15). In that passage Jesus tells Nicodemus, a righteous man of the Jews, that unless he is born again he will not enter the kingdom of God. Like Nicodemus, we must all be born again from above in order to receive eternal life. We do nothing to earn eternal life, but rather, it is a free gift from God because he loves us so much.

So the Christmas story is a wonderful love story telling of God's immeasurable love for us. His Christmas gift was to give us His Son, Jesus, who would grow up keeping all points of God's law perfectly (which we all have failed to do). He would then die on the cross in our place, and rise again from the dead on the third day, so that we who place our trust in Him might be forgiven our sins and live with Him forever.

He was born into the world so that we might be reborn through faith in Him. What a great Christmas present!!!

However, God's work doesn't end there. In fact, it is only the beginning! The fear of the Lord is the Beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 9:10) Following the believer's new birth, God begins a work of sanctification - causing us to change from the inside out - to be holy, separated for service to God and obedient to his commandments. This is a life-long process! The good news is we can trust in God's promises that - He which has begun a good work in you will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ (He will complete it); He is the author and finisher of our faith; and I will never leave thee nor forsake thee! (Phil 1:6, Hebrews 12:2, Hebrews 13:5).

Paul also assures us that - We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them; and It is God which worketh in us both to will and to do His good pleasure! (Eph 2:10, Phil 2:13)

Each believer's life could be considered as a work in process. The materials we started with (before Christ came into our life) were tainted by sin and worthless in and of themselves. However, when we became believers, Christ gave us a new nature that delights to do His will. Our life as a believer includes the process of Christian development, directed by God, whereby we grow closer to God, learn His word and are strengthened and equipped by Him to accomplish His will for our lives. God looks ahead to see the finished work He will fashion in each of our lives and in each case it is a good and complete work. The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me! (Psalm 138:8)

One day, perhaps very soon, all believers will stand before our Father in Heaven - without spot or wrinkle (free from sin)- reflecting the complete and perfect work of God in our lives! We will forever thank and praise him for the marvelous work He has done in saving us, fashioning and fitting us for our eternal life with Him!

I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well! (Psalm 139:14)

Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! (Psalms 107:8)

All Praise, honor and glory be to God our Father and to our Lord Jesus Christ! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

God continues to offer His Most Precious Gift, eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ: