Bible Reading: zephaniah 1,2,3; Revelation 16
“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” – Revelation 16:15 (KJVS)
Today, we are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. He came to the world to show us the image of God the father (2 Cor. 4:4). He is the visible representation of the invisible God. This is to ensure that by knowing Jesus, we can know God the father. The Lord Jesus revealed this to us in John 8:19 (KJVS), “Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.”
God sent Jesus as a demonstration of his love for the world. (John 3:16) and to proclaim the truth to everyone such that no one will be ignorant of God’s love. It is this love that caused God to send Jesus to destroy the works of the devil so that men and women will not be deceived to end up in hell with the devil. (Hebrews 2:14-15). To further demonstrate his love, he sent Jesus to experience humanity so that he can sympathise with us in our afflictions. Thus, there is nothing you are passing through that Jesus hasn’t gone through before. This is stated succinctly in Hebrews 4:15 (KJVS), “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Thus as you celebrate the birth of Jesus, you should remember that he was able to live a life without sin inspite of the challenges of the world. The celebration of the life of Christ should make you re-examine your life to identify every area of sin and to repent of it so as to prepare for the second coming of Jesus. Proverbs 28:13 (KJVS) says, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
Celebrating the birth of Christ is worthless except you live a life acceptable to him and are prepared for his second coming. He wants us to live a life pleasing to him everyday of our lives because he will come suddenly. He stated in Revelation 16:15 (KJVS), “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” May you not walk naked in Jesus name.
Happy Christmas celebration.
Action plan:
Celebrate Christ by living a life of holiness.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero