Monday, December 15, 2014

ADVENT: Reclaiming Christmas -- Day 16

Advent:  Day 16:  “Christmas Calls us to Humility”

Scripture:  “For this reason also, GOD highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of JESUS every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that JESUS CHIST is LORD, to the glory of GOD the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

There is a message in the Christmas story that is often neglected and not really given much consideration.  It is the message of humility, brokenness, denial, and death.  The essence of all sin is pride and self-centeredness.  On the other hand, an important fruit of authentic redemption is self-denial and death to self (Matthew 10; 16:24; Luke 9:23).  JESUS said, “He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39).  I’m afraid the great majority of believers aren’t getting this part of the redemptive message.

GOD left His glory and place of power and reign to humble Himself to become a mere man (John 1:14) in the form of a bond-servant . . . humbled Himself to even die . . . and humbled Himself in such a lowly way that He died a criminal’s death (Philippians 2:5-8).  But this was GOD’s redemptive plan. Just when the Enemy thought he had won the battle GOD exalted JESUS above all (Philippians 2:9-11).

Through JESUS, GOD the Father not only provided redemption once and for all, He exemplified His plan for us to truly find happiness and life even in this world.  Pride has destroyed many lives, disrupted many business partnerships, dismantled many churches, and broken apart many marriages.  But the great mystery of self-denial and death to self is that we find authentic life, joy, and fulfillment. 

Someone has said, “GOD doesn’t waste anything . . . any suffering.”  GOD promises us that if we are willing to identify with His suffering and trust Him in the midst of it all He will adopt us as His children and fellow heirs with Christ and that we will ultimately be glorified with Him (Romans 8:17).

Another promise found in the Christmas story is that though the Enemy may plan evil against us GOD will use it for His glory and for our good.  Believe it and trust Him!  (Genesis 50:20).

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Richard

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