"Before Christ" and "Anno Domini" signify the great line in history. Some are trying to erase that line. But God was the one who drew the line and nobody can erase it. Thank God that nobody can undo what He has done.Christmas is all about the appearance of God in human form here on earth. Consider the following passage of Scripture. Pay special attention to what it reveals about why He appeared.
1 John 3:5-8 (NIV) 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
1 John 3:5-8 (NIV) 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
The devil uses sin the keep mankind separated from God. Not only does sin drive a wedge between man and God, it also wrecks human relationships and tears the fabric of society. But God has drawn a line in the sand. He appeared. He appeared to destroy the devil's work in our lives. He appeared to take away our sins.
If you are a believer in Jesus Christ there are three things that you need to be aware of.
1. You don't have to live under the curse of sin. Our free will allows us the choice to live a new life. The new life is not bent toward sin, but away from sin. You can choose to sin or not to sin. We value our free will and our liberty in Christ. But all too often we use our free will to choose sin, thinking that we're alright because God's grace is so powerful. The whole idea of "I don't have to" can be mistaken as a life option. "I don't have to sin anymore, but I will anyway, and fortunately I can lean on God's grace."
2. You should not be sinning. The works of the devil to continuously destroy your life with sin have been destroyed. Your response should be to stop sinning. There is a subtle difference between not sinning because you are exercising your human right to choose and an obedience to the imperatives of God. You are no longer your own. You now belong to Christ. If He is truly "Lord" of your life then it's His choice, not yours, that motivates you to stop sinning.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV) 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
This passage applies to all kinds of sin, but specifically addresses the sin of sexual immorality. It fits here because in the world of the Corinthian believers sexual morality as defined by their culture was in contrast with what God commanded. In our world this whole idea of sexuality is a battle ground. People would argue that their sex life is their choice. Not if you are a Christian. You have claimed Jesus as Lord of your life. How you use your body and your life is His choice.
3. Sin is sin and righteousness is righteousness. This isn't rocket science. "Do not let anyone lead you astray." This is as current as it can get. We basically know what sin is and we basically know what righteousness is. Yet we find ways to defend our choice to sin when we know that we should be living a "righteous" life. There are many voices trying to persuade us to call our sin righteous. The world is telling us that righteous people are sinful, especially if they speak out against sin.
You can choose what you want and say what you want, but God has already drawn this line. A little baby in the manger is a symbol of a line drawn between death and life, sin and righteousness, darkness and light. At the moment He appeared as a little baby took away the devil's power to destroy our lives with sin.
John 5:24 (NIV) “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
Praise God for His appearing and for the victory we have over sin. May we appreciate what He has given us in the way we live.
On a closing note I have been hearing a lot of people responding to a call to live holy lives. I have heard them describing it as God chasing them, not letting them be at ease with their sin. I believe that this is going to be a year of repentance and a return to righteousness.
