“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 NIV
It’s Christmas time again. During that last minute rush to get everyone a present, the last minute packing for your vacation, the last minute preparations for that bar barque you are planning, have you even asked yourself “Why on earth did Jesus come?” As the retail sector is cashing in by commercialising this important holiday, spare a moment to think about the real meaning of Christmas.
Well the opening scripture spells it out clearly. Yes, Jesus came to give us life. Remember that after the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden, man was condemned to death. The Bible says that we have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. (Ref: Romans 3:23) However that is not the end of the story for us because the angel who spoke to Joseph in a dream (Matthew1:20-21) made it clear that Jesus came to save his people of their sins. Hence by our believing in Him we no longer perish but have eternal life. (Ref John 3:16)
As you celebrate Christmas this year, have the Saviour in mind. Merry Christmas and Stay Blessed.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NIV
As I watched a documentary about youth and drug abuse yesterday, I realised that all the young men who were interviewed had a similar story to tell. Due to their addiction to hard drugs, they stole from their families and ran away from home. With nowhere to go, they sleep under bridges or in alleys. They have resorted to begging at the street corners to survive but for most, all the money they earn is spent on rock (cocaine), heroin and marijuana. I noticed however, that these young men are not proud of themselves. They feel trapped in this lifestyle, but do not know how to leave. Many would rather go back home, but they fear that they have done too much to hurt their families and will never be accepted.
Ok, so you are probably thinking, “what a sad story but what does that have to do with anything?”
So many people are in the same situation as these young men. No, I'm not talking about drug addiction. I am referring to a situation where you think you have ventured off a little too far from God, a situation where you feel you have sinned way too much to be forgiven, a situation where you feel God will never accept you.
I have news for you. At the peak of your sin rampage, God sent His only Son to die in your place so that as long as you believe in Him, you will not perish but have life. (Ref Rom 5:8, John 3:16 and 1John 4:10) He has accepted you. He has forgiven you. He gave His only son to die in your place. What a ransom, a huge sacrifice. Just to show how much you mean to Him. God loves you! Never doubt that.
I heard a story about a certain man who spent his life savings on a Boat Cruise Ticket. During meal times the man would go in a corner and eat cheese and crackers while everyone else went to the restaurant. On the last day, a fellow passenger asked him why they never saw him during meal times and the man admitted (a bit embarrassed) that he could not afford the meals as he had spent his life savings on the ticket alone and did not have much money left over. The fellow passenger was shocked but the man was shocked even more to find out that the meals were part of the cruise package! So all along this man was starving himself while his meals had already been paid for!
The Bible says “Ye are bought with a price…” 1Corinthians7:23. The price for us has been paid in full! John3:16 says “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” By virtue of our believing, everlasting life has been credited to our “account”! The word life in the Greek is zoe {dzo-ay'} which means the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God(see
http://www.thewordsofeternallife.com/eternal_life.html for more about everlasting life). This means we are supposed to have fullness of life!
Are you struggling in one area or the other in your life! Always remember everlasting life, fullness of life- health, wealth, peace –the total package is yours! Embrace it!
Stay Blessed!
