December 15 2013
Grace Always Comes Before Peace, And That Is “The Real Thing!”
Hebrews 1:3 (NIV)
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Many people in this world today seek peace in some form. Some people have been convinced that for them to obtain peace they must destroy another people group. Some religions of the world believe that for them to obtain and keep peace they must destroy all other people who will not convert to their religion. What about Christianity, what does it teach we must do to obtain peace? To my knowledge, Christianity is the only religion where peace is obtained one person at a time. It does not matter which denomination you may belong to or which church you regularly attend, you will find peace only through creation of a personal relationship with Jesus!
Without first obtaining the grace afforded by salvation you cannot grasp the way to obtain peace. Jesus had to come to this earth to be offered as the perfect sacrifice needed to cover over the sin, which is etched into the soul of every human being. This is commonly referred to as the sinful nature, and is inherited through the curse of sin passed down to every human from the original sin committed in the Garden of Eden by Adam. There is no other way to obtain salvation except through the salvation offered by Jesus. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17, NLT)
The only way to salvation of your immortal soul is to accept the sacrifice given through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Sorry to jump ahead in the story of Jesus, but without knowing our salvation is assured through Jesus, then the celebration of His birth would be meaningless! As we countdown through the weeks of Advent, we anticipate the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus the Christ. In the beginning of this story, we read in Luke about Jesus’ birth and how the angels sang about how this birth would bring peace on the earth. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:13-14)
Notice the wording here about there being some selection as to whom this birth would affect in a positive way, where it reads, “on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." This wording seems to imply a need for acceptance of this gift, before it will bring peace to the holder or the saved person. This seems to be farther attested in later writings of Luke, where he reports what Jesus said about what His coming to the earth will bring. "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. (Luke 12:49-52)
As we look around our world today, we do not see this celebration of Jesus birth bringing togetherness or unity, but instead we see separation even amongst believers. There are literally hundreds of denominations around this world, and they do not show love to each other, but instead some form of hatred and distrust! There are even hate groups that claim to be saved, such as the KKK! On the Thomas Kincade calendar hanging on the wall of my kitchen, I noted today, only one reference on December 25th, which just says, “Christmas Day.” However, on December 26th there are different celebrations indicated, which occur in the USA, Canada, NZ, UK, and Australia, and then there celebrations in Ireland, and Australia again. One thing we may notice about these countries is that they all are or were once Christian nations. The President of the USA has made it very clear that this country should no longer be considered a Christian nation!
Okay, Bah Humbug! By this time some reading this commentary may be thinking sorrowful thought about the person writing it, but that is not true, because I am very happy this time of the year, because it is the time to
celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world! On December the 25th, I will be celebrating what Paul has called an indescribable gift. Paul wrote more about the impact this wonderful gift supplies to those who chose to accept this gift, and thus, become true followers of Jesus the Christ! Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:13-15)
So in this time of gift giving we all who truly follow Jesus the Christ must go against the flow of this humanistic celebration of the Happy Holidays, and not only wish them a Merry Christmas, but we MUST also tell them the true story of the Spiritual Christmas, that is not a fairy tale, but it is truly “The Real Thing!” Parents and Grandparents please get up your courage, and do not tell them about Santa Claus and reindeer on your roof, but tell them a true story not a lie, about the birth of a human/God baby, who will eventually bring peace on the new earth!
Next week’s commentary will be exclusive devoted to the Christmas story, I promise!
For now we need to concentrate on doing things that Jesus did while He walked this earth. The Christ child did not being peace for all peoples, but to just a very select few. To most His coming brought division. When Jesus was here He always helped those people who most needed help, and His followers should do their best to do that too! For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45) Are you seeking services from other people to help make you happy or merry? It seems we are commanded to be the servers not the served.
Be confident that Jesus followers will be taken care of; see what Paul wrote in his letter to a church. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19, NLT) To this same church he wrote, Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
You are a work in progress, with Jesus being the director of this refinement in you! Now that is something to be merry about in any season.
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Hebrews 1:3 (NIV)
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Many people in this world today seek peace in some form. Some people have been convinced that for them to obtain peace they must destroy another people group. Some religions of the world believe that for them to obtain and keep peace they must destroy all other people who will not convert to their religion. What about Christianity, what does it teach we must do to obtain peace? To my knowledge, Christianity is the only religion where peace is obtained one person at a time. It does not matter which denomination you may belong to or which church you regularly attend, you will find peace only through creation of a personal relationship with Jesus!
Without first obtaining the grace afforded by salvation you cannot grasp the way to obtain peace. Jesus had to come to this earth to be offered as the perfect sacrifice needed to cover over the sin, which is etched into the soul of every human being. This is commonly referred to as the sinful nature, and is inherited through the curse of sin passed down to every human from the original sin committed in the Garden of Eden by Adam. There is no other way to obtain salvation except through the salvation offered by Jesus. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17, NLT)
The only way to salvation of your immortal soul is to accept the sacrifice given through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Sorry to jump ahead in the story of Jesus, but without knowing our salvation is assured through Jesus, then the celebration of His birth would be meaningless! As we countdown through the weeks of Advent, we anticipate the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus the Christ. In the beginning of this story, we read in Luke about Jesus’ birth and how the angels sang about how this birth would bring peace on the earth. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:13-14)
Notice the wording here about there being some selection as to whom this birth would affect in a positive way, where it reads, “on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." This wording seems to imply a need for acceptance of this gift, before it will bring peace to the holder or the saved person. This seems to be farther attested in later writings of Luke, where he reports what Jesus said about what His coming to the earth will bring. "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. (Luke 12:49-52)
As we look around our world today, we do not see this celebration of Jesus birth bringing togetherness or unity, but instead we see separation even amongst believers. There are literally hundreds of denominations around this world, and they do not show love to each other, but instead some form of hatred and distrust! There are even hate groups that claim to be saved, such as the KKK! On the Thomas Kincade calendar hanging on the wall of my kitchen, I noted today, only one reference on December 25th, which just says, “Christmas Day.” However, on December 26th there are different celebrations indicated, which occur in the USA, Canada, NZ, UK, and Australia, and then there celebrations in Ireland, and Australia again. One thing we may notice about these countries is that they all are or were once Christian nations. The President of the USA has made it very clear that this country should no longer be considered a Christian nation!
Okay, Bah Humbug! By this time some reading this commentary may be thinking sorrowful thought about the person writing it, but that is not true, because I am very happy this time of the year, because it is the time to
celebrate the birth of the Savior of the world! On December the 25th, I will be celebrating what Paul has called an indescribable gift. Paul wrote more about the impact this wonderful gift supplies to those who chose to accept this gift, and thus, become true followers of Jesus the Christ! Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:13-15)
So in this time of gift giving we all who truly follow Jesus the Christ must go against the flow of this humanistic celebration of the Happy Holidays, and not only wish them a Merry Christmas, but we MUST also tell them the true story of the Spiritual Christmas, that is not a fairy tale, but it is truly “The Real Thing!” Parents and Grandparents please get up your courage, and do not tell them about Santa Claus and reindeer on your roof, but tell them a true story not a lie, about the birth of a human/God baby, who will eventually bring peace on the new earth!
Next week’s commentary will be exclusive devoted to the Christmas story, I promise!
For now we need to concentrate on doing things that Jesus did while He walked this earth. The Christ child did not being peace for all peoples, but to just a very select few. To most His coming brought division. When Jesus was here He always helped those people who most needed help, and His followers should do their best to do that too! For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45) Are you seeking services from other people to help make you happy or merry? It seems we are commanded to be the servers not the served.
Be confident that Jesus followers will be taken care of; see what Paul wrote in his letter to a church. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19, NLT) To this same church he wrote, Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
You are a work in progress, with Jesus being the director of this refinement in you! Now that is something to be merry about in any season.
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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