November 30
Daniel 7:1-28 | PS 119:153-176 | Prov 28:23-24 | 1 John 1:1-10
It's time for another Christmas season. It's time for gatherings with family and friends. There are many "Christians" who are CEO's or "Christmas-Easter Only" Christians. Those who don't give God a second thought throughout the year, but who sport their Christianity like a sweater and take it out two times a year. When Jesus left heaven and came to earth as a newborn babe, the reality of this decision should never be missed or lost amidst all of the secular events swirling around Christmas. He left His domain to dwell among us, because He loves us that much. He chose to die for us on Good Friday for that same reason. So, as you gather, ask yourself if those with you state that they are Christian and wear it like a nationality, as part of a list that describes them, or has their lives changed at some point. Was there that moment when that individual was not like before. Many people like to say, "Well that's just who I am". Others write off others and say that a certain individual will never change. If so, then they never allowed themselves to be transformed by a relationship with Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit. In case this is too generic or non-specific, assembled at that gathering do you have that cousin who just loves to gossip every time, that brother who you know will drink too much, that grandfather who you will complain and grumble, that aunt who is always engaged in one form of sexual deviance or another, that friend who will always be contentious and find a reason to divide, etc.
Understand there is a difference in sinning, which we are all guilty of, and living in sin, which is maintaining certain aspects of our life and having no intention of ever bringing them to the cross where Jesus died to free us from them. The question is do you want to be freed from them? We read in 1 John 1:8-10, "If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts." For all who like to revel in their own "goodness", God is not being fooled, even if others are. The good thing is that God does not require us to be "good", He knows we are sinners and each and every one of our sins will be forgiven if we simply ask Him. Those sins which we commit consciously from time to time, either willfully or unknowingly are different than those that define you, as we read in 3:6-9, "Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is. Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life[a] is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God."
A life of sin, a particular habit is not easy to change. Some might define themselves either proudly or with embarrassment by these particular sins. This Christmas, rather than a new sweater, how about giving those assembled at your house who you know don't have a bona fide relationship with Jesus Christ, the one who was born in a stable, the best gift of all, the gift of the gospel message, the gift that the baby who was born in the manger loves them so much that He was willing to leave eternity just for him or her. That freedom exists only through the blood of Jesus. If you deem this difficult, if you are afraid this might not end well, remember that the lives of your loved ones will not end well without making that decision. If you question your ability to deliver this message, remember 1 John 4:4, "But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world." If you approach someone with the gospel message in the Spirit, He will give you the words. Even if it is not received initially, you will have planted the seed of the best gift anyone could ever receive.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: