"For unto you is born...a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 1:11
The news that those angels heralded on the day of our Savior's birth two thousand plus years ago is as true for you and I today as it was for them then!
Titus 2:11 tells us that the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation for all people! Do you know this great salvation? You may ask, "Salvation from what? I'm a good person. I'm not in need of saving." I would like to agree with you. I'd like to tell you about how good of a person I am. But I can't. And I'd imagine that on this Christmas morning, if you were still and very honest with yourself you would recognize the same problem. You can't talk about how good you are.
This, however, my dear friend, is the beauty of those words that you just read. Unto you, a Savior is born, who is Christ the Lord! Unlike us, in whom there is no good, in him there was no sin. He bore, in his body, the penalty due to us. God, satisfied with Christ's sacrifice for our sin poured out all of the wrath that we deserve. The Bible says that, "For our sake [God] made [Christ] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in [Christ] we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21. This is the Good News! If you are anything like me you recognize the weight and burden of sin in your life and your complete inability to do anything about it. Good News, because Jesus, in his death on the cross, makes us right with God!
You may ask, "John, I do recognize this, but what do I do to be saved?" And friend, you could ask no greater question this blessed morn. Jesus says, "Repent and believe the gospel." Mark 1:15. Acts 3:19 says to "Repent, therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out," and verse 20 goes on to say, "that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."
Friend, you don't know refreshing like the overwhelming peace of God that floods your soul, when through faith in Christ you are saved by the grace of God and forgiven of sins! Romans 10:9, says, "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
It is my deepest prayer that this Christmas you will come into relationship with the Savior, Jesus Christ. If you have read this and have any questions, please reach out and contact me! I would love to talk more with you about this amazing God who reached into such depths to save my soul, and who offers the same to you!
You're welcome to join us this Sunday at 10am in the gym at Byron Baptist Church. You would be most welcome! I'd love to say hello to you!
To my Village Church family: I love you and hope you have a very Merry Christmas! Lord willing, I'll see you Sunday!
Grace & Peace,
John
(You can reach Pastor John at jwhite@thevillagemi.com)