As you well-know, one week from Sunday is Christmas Eve 2006—one Christmas Eve closer to the coming of Jesus for His Bride. You might be thinking, “It took a rocket scientist to figure that out!”; however, in my mind, it is very pertinent. You see, we celebrate Christmas for a reason—a good reason—and it might not be what most think. To be sure, when we celebrate Christmas, we are celebrating the birth of Jesus, BUT we do so with an incredible, anticipatory celebration of the future, namely, His return for the church—an anticipation that pales not only His birth, but also His death, burial, and resurrection! The fact of the matter is this: without His expected return for His Bride, the rest would not really mean very much. Unless there is eternal life in Jesus, we are of all people most to be pitied! So, celebrate Christmas but remember to keep in mind the reason for the celebration—His return for the Church!
Now, having said that, I know that many get more-than-somewhat-anxious when His return is mentioned because of their unfounded fear of the JUDGMENT SEAT OF GOD, you know, the “wide screen show” that everyone will see; consequently, they are most content keeping the focus of the season on the birthday party and want no mention of His return.
If you are one of these, I have a wonderful gift for you (part 4 of my present series) and it is this: Facing God at the Great White Throne Judgment and having Him reveal to everyone the secrets of your life need no longer be a concern for you because He has chosen not to give you what you deserve, but to set you free from all judgment and condemnation, as is evidenced by this: There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2; emphasis, added). Not to mention that He chose never to remember your sins again, as is evidenced by this: And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more (Hebrews 10:17; emphasis, added).
In other words, God chose to provide a scapegoat for you and for your sins in the person of Jesus; He gave Jesus what you deserved and gave you what Jesus deserved. Amazingly, Jesus took your record (your certificate of debt) upon Himself, and, even more amazingly, He gave you His record—His spotless, blemish-less, perfect, righteous record. Go figure! I do not understand it, either.
Anyway, as a result, God, being the just God that He is, has already judged Jesus guilty for your sins AND (again, being the just God that He is) He has judged you “righteous!” In my mind, this is GRACE LAVISHED! What an incredible gift!
What does this mean for you when you stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgment? It means that the only record that will be revealed is Jesus’ record! Yours is separated from Him as far as the East is from the West—never to be remembered again! His word to you will be—WELCOME HOME, NO CONTINGENCIES!
So, go ahead and celebrate Jesus’ birth and do it gusto, BUT remember why you are doing so—HE IS COMING AGAIN and THAT is what THIS is about! There is much more to this than merely swapping materialistic presents, placing colored lights in windows and upon trees, playing Santa Clause, and feeding the hungry at the soup kitchen! Folks, JESUS IS COMING AGAIN—SOON—AND YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE AFRAID; well, you do not if you belong to Him, and I, certainly, hope you do!
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