Not Afraid
Do not be afraid to say it: “Jesus is the Reason not only for the Season, but for all things!” Yes, He was before Creation, helped to plan creation, participated in Creation, is the Giver of Life, the Savior of the World, and the HOPE of the Ages.
Folks talked about Santa Claus when I was a child---nothing new. But it was kid stuff, not adults. And Jesus was not displaced. I have wearied this season with adults, commercials, movies, advertisements, ad nausea...magnifying an imaginary man living in the coldest part of the world (how smart could he be?), requiring strange little people to work like slaves, loading presents for billions of children into one sleigh, reindeer flying all over the world without eating or having water, climbing down chimneys to milk and cookies in every home, and visiting every good child in the world in one night.
Now, I don’t mind a good story. One from the imagination. What I have trouble with is those folks who perpetuate this story as truth and then mock Christians for believing what they deem to be unbelievable.
Santa visits good children---according to myth. Fact is, Jesus visits even those who have been naughty. He died for them. He arose to promise resurrection. He searches out those who are willing to receive salvation and leave the ugliness of sin, take up their cross and follow HIM!
We must remember that the world would love for us to replace Jesus with anyone or anything else. Halloween has replaced Thanksgiving in commercial sales. America in its political tolerance is drifting farther from shore into waters of a watered-down god who serves man, instead of man who serves an almighty, all-knowing, all-powerful God.
Not just beefing. I am a pastor. God told Jeremiah that He would send pastors who would care for His people. My heart is to lead. My resolve is to challenge. My determination is that no one who is part of the congregation of my responsibility will be able to say: “I never heard the gospel of Jesus. I attended church, but the pastor only offered light and easy sermons, feel good, with humorous anecdotes.”
What shall we do? There is an answer.
We shall not neglect reading of the Bible. It is primary and leads us to mature faith. We shall not neglect meeting together. In keeping with Hebrews 10:25 we shall more and more gather to affirm each other and our faith. We shall not neglect charity. We are called to reach the poor, the captive, the bruised, and lonely (Luke 4:18-20). We shall not neglect tithing and missions. Our very hearts are warmed by devotion to generosity. To have and not share is ungodly. To possess and not be a fountain of blessing is inconsistent with the life of Christ.
The Year of 2012 is before us. We commit to a more intense effort to win the lost and to make disciples. We will explore joining our buildings. We will individually commit to reading the Bible in 2012. We will not allow the world to throw its grenades into our unity. Our purpose is clear: We are the Church. We are commissioned for divine purposes (Matthew 16:18).
We boldly say: “We will give a good accounting on that day when we stand before Jesus. On that great day all things will be judged, measured, and eternity will be determined based upon Jesus.”
If you do not know Jesus, confess your sins (repent), believe that Jesus is your Savior, and receive the gift of salvation. Begin the best journey imaginable. True. Fact. God is with you (Matthew 1:21).
Pastor Bare