December 14th 2014
Please let me know if you received this VOW twice!
Enjoy This Advent Season By Living In The Christmas Season!
(1 John 1:9 (NIV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
A good New Year’s resolution would be to name your sins and confess them all. Is it too early to be thinking about what you will resolve to do in the coming year? A company once had a comment they would show the words “think ahead” and it would be all scrunched up, as though the person writing it or thinking it, had not actually thought or planned ahead! This was, I believe, meant to impress upon the reader to actually think or plan ahead. Have you planned ahead for a coming new year? Well that would be a good thing to do, but you are not guaranteed tomorrow! If you plan for life is only limited to include a time frame from today until you die, then you have not thought ahead at all!
In the Old Testament we read about how the people of God labored to understand what they needed to do in order to receive their salvation. They were required to make sacrifices of animals and grains and drinks for the purpose of trying to please God. Solomon who was touted as one of the most wise men of his time wrote some beautiful confusing stories about his dismay in seeking his salvation. At least that is the way I have read them. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Solomon actually spoke to and heard God speak to him, yet he was still confused about this earthly life.
Many Christians today are still trying to gain their salvation by being better than “some” other people. All non-Christians who are trying to gain their salvation are doing “some” good things, and/or making some kind of sacrifices. The rest of the people in this world are ignoring any plans of salvation, and thus, they do whatever feels good. This is futile attempt to try and make this earth into some kind of a heaven. Atheists have eliminated the fear of God by denying that any god or gods exist. This is the strongest method of denial and allows them to feel okay with their existence being limited to just this lifetime.
Where in this system of denial do you fall, which allows you to not worry about planning ahead, and still feeling safe? There is only one plan that allows you to not be in denial, but instead be feeling safe today, and that plan is the one which allows you to know your salvation has been guaranteed, because it does not require you to do good things to earn points toward a salvation plan. That plan of course is the one offered by Jesus Christ and available to all who have come to believe! During this season we see the word believe in many places. Yesterday I saw some socks with the word believe sewn into the top edge. So to what belief are these subtle messages pointed? Usually, it is put there to sell the product, and is just trying to use this holiday season to sell stuff!
The holiday season is a non-religious expression used to generate sales, and sometimes spills over into causing people to feel guilty of not helping other people who do not have earthly wealth. The Christmas season is an expression that is meant to encourage Christians into a feeling of dependence upon Jesus Christ for coming into this world to save everyone from their sinful nature, and give them true freedom to express their love of all of mankind. The Christmas season reaffirms the only true salvation plan, and puts us into a mode of giving from the heart! Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians was not about the Christmas season, or was it? For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8)
If Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, then the Christmas season is not required for you to desire to help your neighbor, and this is proven by the good works Christians choose to do all year long. However, the Christmas season should accentuate these feelings even more. This is best exemplified by not allowing this season to be a holiday season, but instead, to be a Christmas season! Wishing someone a Merry Christmas is of course, a good idea and even a good work, but abiding in the Christmas Spirit is the real way to express the Christian Spirit.
Please note Paul seemed to always be in the Christmas Spirit, as he never attached himself to worldly gain or the amassing of things, but to always praying and preaching the Word. So here Paul is thinking and writing with the Christmas season occurring every day he wrote the following. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no-one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. (Colossians 2:3-4) The term Happy Holidays is a very fine sounding announcement, but it lacks naming the reason for this season!
We find ourselves in the Advent Season, which of course, indicates we are again celebrating the remembrance of the most important day in the history of this world. For on that day God the Son was born into this world not to condemn the world, but instead to save it. NOW that is really something to celebrate. You may have guessed it by now; here comes another comment from Paul that fits this Advent season. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. (Romans 8:6-8)
Jesus came to override our sinful nature every day, and we are now in this wonderful season of Advent to again remember the coming of this baby/God/Savior into this world which is scarred by sin, but not to condemn us but to save us. Okay, finally this commentary turns to John for some very assuring words for all who believe in the real season of celebration. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17) We can believe in Christmas as THE SEASON, now for the rest of the story! But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:26-27) Enjoy the peace Jesus brought into this world!
Enjoy this Advent Season by living in the Christmas Season!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Enjoy This Advent Season By Living In The Christmas Season!
(1 John 1:9 (NIV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
A good New Year’s resolution would be to name your sins and confess them all. Is it too early to be thinking about what you will resolve to do in the coming year? A company once had a comment they would show the words “think ahead” and it would be all scrunched up, as though the person writing it or thinking it, had not actually thought or planned ahead! This was, I believe, meant to impress upon the reader to actually think or plan ahead. Have you planned ahead for a coming new year? Well that would be a good thing to do, but you are not guaranteed tomorrow! If you plan for life is only limited to include a time frame from today until you die, then you have not thought ahead at all!
In the Old Testament we read about how the people of God labored to understand what they needed to do in order to receive their salvation. They were required to make sacrifices of animals and grains and drinks for the purpose of trying to please God. Solomon who was touted as one of the most wise men of his time wrote some beautiful confusing stories about his dismay in seeking his salvation. At least that is the way I have read them. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Solomon actually spoke to and heard God speak to him, yet he was still confused about this earthly life.
Many Christians today are still trying to gain their salvation by being better than “some” other people. All non-Christians who are trying to gain their salvation are doing “some” good things, and/or making some kind of sacrifices. The rest of the people in this world are ignoring any plans of salvation, and thus, they do whatever feels good. This is futile attempt to try and make this earth into some kind of a heaven. Atheists have eliminated the fear of God by denying that any god or gods exist. This is the strongest method of denial and allows them to feel okay with their existence being limited to just this lifetime.
Where in this system of denial do you fall, which allows you to not worry about planning ahead, and still feeling safe? There is only one plan that allows you to not be in denial, but instead be feeling safe today, and that plan is the one which allows you to know your salvation has been guaranteed, because it does not require you to do good things to earn points toward a salvation plan. That plan of course is the one offered by Jesus Christ and available to all who have come to believe! During this season we see the word believe in many places. Yesterday I saw some socks with the word believe sewn into the top edge. So to what belief are these subtle messages pointed? Usually, it is put there to sell the product, and is just trying to use this holiday season to sell stuff!
The holiday season is a non-religious expression used to generate sales, and sometimes spills over into causing people to feel guilty of not helping other people who do not have earthly wealth. The Christmas season is an expression that is meant to encourage Christians into a feeling of dependence upon Jesus Christ for coming into this world to save everyone from their sinful nature, and give them true freedom to express their love of all of mankind. The Christmas season reaffirms the only true salvation plan, and puts us into a mode of giving from the heart! Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians was not about the Christmas season, or was it? For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8)
If Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, then the Christmas season is not required for you to desire to help your neighbor, and this is proven by the good works Christians choose to do all year long. However, the Christmas season should accentuate these feelings even more. This is best exemplified by not allowing this season to be a holiday season, but instead, to be a Christmas season! Wishing someone a Merry Christmas is of course, a good idea and even a good work, but abiding in the Christmas Spirit is the real way to express the Christian Spirit.
Please note Paul seemed to always be in the Christmas Spirit, as he never attached himself to worldly gain or the amassing of things, but to always praying and preaching the Word. So here Paul is thinking and writing with the Christmas season occurring every day he wrote the following. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no-one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. (Colossians 2:3-4) The term Happy Holidays is a very fine sounding announcement, but it lacks naming the reason for this season!
We find ourselves in the Advent Season, which of course, indicates we are again celebrating the remembrance of the most important day in the history of this world. For on that day God the Son was born into this world not to condemn the world, but instead to save it. NOW that is really something to celebrate. You may have guessed it by now; here comes another comment from Paul that fits this Advent season. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. (Romans 8:6-8)
Jesus came to override our sinful nature every day, and we are now in this wonderful season of Advent to again remember the coming of this baby/God/Savior into this world which is scarred by sin, but not to condemn us but to save us. Okay, finally this commentary turns to John for some very assuring words for all who believe in the real season of celebration. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17) We can believe in Christmas as THE SEASON, now for the rest of the story! But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:26-27) Enjoy the peace Jesus brought into this world!
Enjoy this Advent Season by living in the Christmas Season!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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