Acts 10:4-6
Peter fairly exploded with his good news: “It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. The Message he sent to the children of Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again—well, he’s doing it everywhere, among everyone.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
This morning, a Facebook friend posted a “video” about a man who died and was summoned for judgment by God. To his horror and shame, his life and all of the mistakes he had made – every sin he had committed - was reviewed. Then an angel looked in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and the man’s name was nowhere to be found. The man was thrown into the "lake of fire" known as Hell.
The video concluded with a look at how things could have gone, had the man only surrendered his heart to Jesus and asked for His forgiveness. 2 Corinthians 5:17 reminded us that…”Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new.” And the words of Isaiah 1:18 were presented to assure us…”This is God’s Message: ‘If your sins are blood-red, they’ll be snow-white. If they’re red like crimson, they’ll be like wool.’”
My friend accompanied this post with these words…”Powerful, hopefully by sharing this I can inspire someone, just as I was!!!” I hope so, too…because the real message of Christmas is not found in the tinsel and the garlands, the packages and the parties. The true message of Christmas lies in the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ…our promise and hope that God sent to earth in the form of a tiny baby. The message of Christmas really lies in the story of Easter…the crucifixion, death and resurrection of the Christ Child – all to pay for OUR sins and mistakes.
The real gift of Christmas is the anticipation of eternity spent in the presence of God. This gift is open to all of us who will freely choose to follow Jesus. As we read Peter’s words to the church in Acts, we are reminded that the door is open to any and ALL who choose to accept this gift. God plays no favorites, indeed! If you have received the gift of salvation in Jesus, every other gift is just fluff…something nice to tide you over until heaven – but made all the more enjoyable because of that confidence.
What is the message of Christmas for you this year? Have you received the ultimate Gift? Jesus is standing at the door…holding it open for you to enter into an eternal relationship with Him and live in His presence forever. Aren’t you ready to cross the threshold?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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