Blessed assurance – I am saved!
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." This statement from 1 Tim 1:15 sums up the entire ministry and life of Jesus: to save sinners. It explains why God became a man. This statement lies at the heart of what the Christmas message is: Jesus came to save sinners. It is the most glorious proof of God's love for us. It is the foundation of the Church's message and the key to understanding everything written in the Bible.
The good news of God, and therefore also the motivation behind celebrating Christmas, is expressed in this simple statement: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." This statement is equally clear to young and old, to experienced and not experienced Christians.
Whenever we find our faith wavering and we are confused about the true meaning of Christmas and therefore of the thrust of the Gospel message, we should spend some time reflecting on this teaching. It is of vital concern to everyone. Our acts of hate, our failure to love, our inability to live only for God show that we are sinners. We all are the sinners Christ came to save. We all are guilty before God and deserve condemnation by God.
Yet - "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." We know that Christ had to come, because if he didn't, none of us could be saved. We know that all of us need saving and that none of us can save ourselves.
We need to keep reminding ourselves of why Christ was born of the virgin and conceived by the Spirit: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."
But what does it mean to be saved?
It means forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, being granted the righteousness of Christ and redemption – being bought by the blood of Jesus. It means satisfaction of God's justice, acceptance by God for the sake of Christ Jesus and that the darkness of sin is replaced by the light of Christ's presence in our lives. To be saved also means to receive everlasting life. Because Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary and went the way of the cross and of the victory of resurrection, God’s children receive everlasting life.
As we contemplate the meaning of the Christmas Season, lets not be side tracked by all the good things done in the Christmas spirit of goodwill towards men! Lets remember that God’s goodwill towards us is based on the fundamental truth on which Christendom was founded - that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Only when we are saved will our compassion and the mercy we show those who are less privileged carry the true message of Christmas: Christ Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary in order to save us from our sins.
And because we are saved, we enter 2009 with confidence and hope. We are not alone. We are under no judgement or curse. We are saved from the perils that are the result of our imperfection and disobedience. We are saved from our sins, and therefore our faith gives us the courage to look forward to being the followers of Jesus during this year, in spite of uncertainties and concerns!
Take heart – Christ Jesus became one of us, to save us from our sins and the consequences of our foolishness. Be courageous and enter into a new year with joy and with peace in your heart! Even before we tread the first uncertain step into this new year – we are saved from ourselves.
God bless you during everyday of 2009!!
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