This article first appeared in John 6 Ministries’ Newsletter, “Food For Thought”. It was in the Christmas Edition 2018.
As we endeavor to prepare for Christmas, the question, “Are you ready for Christmas” is a popular one in everyone’s conversations these days.
Yet, there is a question that is much more significant for us to consider, at this time of year and always. That question is, “Are you ready to meet Jesus?”
Some people believe that we are living in the last days, and that Jesus Christ’s return for His Bride is about to happen any moment. There are some people who believe that Jesus will in fact return, but likely not for decades, centuries, or even millenniums. And, there are some who don’t believe in Jesus Christ at all – and therefore, don’t expect Him to return at any time.
As we look at recent world events, such as, Wildfires in California, Earthquakes in Alaska, Tornadoes in Ottawa, just to name a few, a common question regardless of one’s spiritual beliefs is, “Why are all these things happening so much lately?”
Matthew 24: 4- 8 says, “Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. [Emphasis mine]Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.”
Regardless of the varying opinions on ‘when’ Jesus will return, the thing that we need to know and be certain about, is that Jesus WILL return, and we need to be ready.
John 3:36 gives us this assurance of our eternal Salvation, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”
Jesus came into this world to give eternal life to any who would believe in Him. Through His Death and Resurrection, He paid the full price for humanity’s sins, and made reconciliation between God the Father and us possible. Because of Jesus, we do have a choice. It’s entirely our decision. God has given us free will to either accept or reject Jesus. Neither His Death nor His Resurrection would have been possible, if His Birth had never happened.
Luke 2:8-11 says, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Before long, we will be ringing in the New Year of 2019. For many it will be a time of great celebration and anticipation, but for some, it will bring some more negative feelings, maybe even regrets.
Scripture tells us in Isaiah 43:18 to, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” We cannot go back and change the past, but we can proceed into the future with a clean slate.
Repentance makes all things new!
God’s forgiveness toward us gives us freedom. When we forgive others, ourselves, or God for things of the past, we can fully walk in that God-given freedom, in anticipation for the good things to come.
As we consider our “New Year’s Resolutions” for the upcoming year, may we all be challenged and inspired by Jesus’ words in ‘The Great Commission.’
Matthew 28: 16-20, says, “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
