But call to remembrance that
former days, in which after ye
were illuminated, ye endured
a great fight of affliction;
partly, whilst ye were made a
gazingstock both by reproaches
and afflictions; and partly,
whilst ye became companions
of them that were so used.
For ye had compassion of me
in my bonds, and took joyfully
the spoiling of your goods, knowing
in yourselves that ye have in heaven
a better and enduring substance.
Hebrews 10: 32-34
Tomorrow is Christmas Day and many are preparing for a celebration with family and friends and that is good for this day is one to celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As well as it should be, Christmas is a Day to enjoy with family and friends, to open presents, to eat too much, to spend time with family and friends. Let us not forget; there are those even in your congregation who will spend Christmas Day alone possible depressed knowing that others are enjoying this special day and have no one to enjoy this day with: so are there any in your congregation that you could invite to be with you? Are you taking time to make sure that all of your brothers and sisters in Christ are with their Christian family? It is not too late to invite. Make this a Special Day for someone who would otherwise not have a special day. Love: there is the answer, love as Jesus asked of Peter: "do you love Me? Feed my sheep." To feed the sheep is not just to give food, it to give of yourselves for others, did not Jesus do this? Yes!
The writer of Hebrews calls to mind the former days when you were illuminated, that is came to believe in Jesus Christ as the truth and as the One who can give to you salvation, redemption, and eternal life. Due to your conversion you had and maybe now having, some sort of persecution, people speak ill of you, or as in some countries, a Christian faces death, loss of income, or the ability to provide for family because of their faith. Then as the first paragraph eludes too is: "ye became companions of them" and to keep in mind that you as well as your brothers and sisters in Christ have in heaven a better and enduring substance. Do you want a sign of your conversion? Love your brothers and sisters and live a moral life that is based upon the truth of Scripture and you will experience a persecution due to your adherence to your faith. If there is no heckling, or backbiting, or having people speak ill of you, maybe, just maybe they do not see Jesus Christ in you.
The Hebrew writer states: "Cast not away your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that , after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come and will not tarry" (Hebrews 10:35-37). What does it mean: "the will of God?" It is easy to say follow His commands. It is easy to say that but another thing to do it. It is easy to say that "I am a Christian." It is another thing to live as an Authentic Christian. A question: Do you want to be identified with the death of Jesus? To be identified with the death of Jesus that you life will be killed in Him, out of all interest of and in sin, in worldliness, in self, to be so identified with Jesus that you are spoiled to everything else but Him? Remember, the purpose of God, of Jesus Christ is to get us to the place where we may realize all that identification with Jesus Christ means. If your life is hid in Christ, in God, the imperturbable peace of Jesus Christ is imparted to you.
When to begin? Now! Not tomorrow, now! Allow this Christmas to be a day so different from the past and include all who need to have association with their brothers and sisters, with family members, some who need to see the Gospel in action. If you step outside of yourself and those supposed needs you will find a blessing that cannot be described in words, a blessing for you and for others, all because you acted as an Authentic Christian and allowed Authentic Christian Faith to guide.
Have a great Christmas Day and no matter all that happens your Lord is on the throne, that Baby grew to be a man to die for your sins. Praise God, and thank those who have set aside this day of remembrance and celebration.
That he who blesseth himself in the earth
shall bless himself in the God of truth;
and he that sweareth in the earth shall
swear by the God of truth; because the
former troubles are forgotten, and because
they are hid from Mine eyes. For, behold,
I create new heavens and a new earth; and
the former shall not be remembered,
nor come into mind.
Isaiah 63:16-17
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Richard L. Crumb
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