Loving others.

Mankind is, by its fallen nature, selfish. The philosophy of life of so many is expressed in the words of the world's first murderer: "...am I my brother's keeper?" (Gen.4:9). In our contemporary situation, we may hear: "I'm alright, Jack; I do not care for you!"; "You have to put yourself first!"; "I'm looking after No.1!"

Of course, this is not the pattern for anyone who claims to be a disciple of Jesus, the Christ. As we grow in grace, we should begin to think more of others, and less of ourselves. Paul writes: "... let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; " (Rom 15:2-3).

I recently read the story of two soldiers who had just been released from a prison camp in Siberia, at the end of the Second World War. "We did our best," an officer later reported, "to repatriate the men as quickly as possible, but many were still there when the winter ice threatened to close the port."  Only a limited number could board the last small boat. Among those who were awaiting transport were two soldiers who had been mates right through the war. One of them was selected to leave, but the other was one who would have to be left behind. Because of the space limitations, the order was given that those who were leaving could bring with them only one kit-bag. 

The heart of the man who was chosen went out to his comrade-in-arms. He immediately emptied his kit-bag of its prized souvenirs and his few personal belongings, and told his companion to get into the canvas sack. Then, carefully lifting the bag on to his shoulders, he boarded the vessel with his friend. Just one kit-bag - but a very precious content! This was a man who truly loved beyond himself.

As the Christmas season rapidly approaches, many of us remember that the One Who was born in Bethlehem, some 2,000 years ago, was not an ordinary infant. He was Almighty God Incarnate (in the flesh). "Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; Hail! the incarnate Deity." He grew up; was recognised as a rabbi (teacher); spoke words of love and encouragement to many - and words of challenge and condemnation to others!; was put through mockeries of trials; declared to be guilty; crucified, and entombed. Why? that is a question on which I have preached on a number of occasions. However, one simple answer is that He went through all of that for you, and for me. He " ... bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness." (I Peter 2:24). He put you, and me, first. That should be the goal of each of us. His is the great example.

As most of us enjoy the coming celebrations, let us be careful to think of others as well as of ourselves. Let us remember that the Child in the manger, became the Christ of the cross - and let us worship and adore Him as is His right.

My favourite Christmas text - part 2

Last night, I shared that my favourite Christmas text makes no mention of shepherds, angels, magi, or even a manger. It is those equally well-known words found in John 3:16 - "... God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."

Last time I shared about the most amazing fact - that God loves you and me! But the love, even of Almighty God, if it were merely passive and uncommunicated, would be insufficient. And so, after the Fact, this well-known verse goes on to speak of the Act.

“… God so loved the world - that He gave His only Son,” And here is the love of the God Who is love, being put into action. God loved you and me so much that He gave. And He gave sacrificially – even the only-begotten; God the Son.

Christmas is, traditionally, a time for giving. And isn’t it wonderful to remember that at what we think of as the very first Christmas, the greatest and best Gift that could ever be, was given? Almighty God gave Himself in the Persona (not a typo - read the chapter on "The Trinity" in my first book - details above!) of the Son; putting His love into action; giving the very best that He had; giving all that He was and is. The most wonderful Gift the world has ever known. A Gift so incredible that even Paul could not find words that were adequate to describe it, and so spoke of God’s “inestimable Gift”; His “inexpressible Gift”; His “indescribable generosity”; His “Gift beyond words”! (II Cor.9:15).

What a lesson to us, whose giving is often weak and selfish – even at this Christmas season. And I don’t refer to our giving of presents to one another, but in our giving to the work and witness of that same Jesus Whose birth we celebrate at this time. And even those who do serve faithfully and to the fullest extent of their abilities, can only say, according to Jesus: “… we are servants and deserve no credit; we have only done our duty.” (Lk.17:10). If folk like that are still, as it were, “in debt” to Father God; if even their selfless, and sometimes sacrificial, giving does not even begin to match His; where does that leave the rest of us?!

Meet the Nativity (2)

Second instalment of this little video series. Enjoy - and think!



For the free book offer, visit http://MeetTheNativity.com

And here, the story behind this episode (to help you think!):

Love came down at Christmas.

Human beings have many different ways of indicating their love for one another and, every now and then, someone comes up with a really original idea. I recall reading, many years ago, a newspaper report that told of a young lady who, on her birthday anniversary, received the largest parcel she had ever seen. The delivery men carried it, very carefully, into the house and, with mounting excitement, she began to open it. To her utter amazement - and great delight - the parcel suddenly burst open, and out jumped her boyfriend! He had decided that the best possible gift he could give her, in order to express his love for her, was himself.

For so many, the Christmas season has been wrapped up with ever-increasing commercialisation; with food, and fun, and festivities. However, if we remove the wrapping, we discover that is is, basically, Almighty God - the Creator and Sustainer of all that is - giving Himself in order to show His love for mankind. The angel's message to Joseph was that the Child to Whom Mary would give birth, would be called "Immanuel" - "God with us" (Mt.1:23); while my personal favourite "Christmas text" is found, not in the familiar birth narratives, but in that best-known of New Covenant verses, Jn.3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."  And that "eternal life, by the way, is not some "pie in the sky when you die", but something you receive here and now!

"God is Love", John assures us in one of his letters (I Jn.4:16) and, in the Incarnation, He expressed Himself in Jesus, "His indescribable Gift" (II Cor.9:15). Christmas is the beginning of a love story that goes on to Resurrection Day, when the Babe in the manger becomes the Christ on the Cross, suffering and dying for our salvation - and rising from the dead, victorious over death, and hell, and the grave!

Most of those who read this blog will receive a number of gifts tomorrow, each of them an indication of the love of the giver. Be sure that, if you have never received it before, you accept the greatest Gift of all - Jesus, and the salvation He offers.

... and a Christmas thought: Wise men sought Jesus; they still do!

Christmas Eve

"Twas the night before Christmas"   So starts the popular poem that, as far as I know, provided the modern picture of "Santa Claus" - a corruption of Saint Nicholas.   The poem was written at the end of the 18th, or the beginning of the 19th, century and is now a part of traditional folklore.  Of course, it is pure, unadulterated, fiction - the one lie that even the majority of Christian parents happily pass on to their children!

Some 1900 years earlier, a different story was enacted - and this one is fact, not fiction.  In the unimportant town of Bethlehem in the Roman province of Judea, a child was born.  There was, as far as the record goes, nothing special about the birth.  The expression "virgin birth" is a wee bit misleading - it was a virginal conception but, after that, everything seems to nave gone as it would with any successful pregnancy.   What was really special about this Child was that, while he was borne by a young girl (Mary was, in the contemporary culture, probably only about 14 years of age), the husband of that girl, the carpenter Joseph, was not the Child's father.  Indeed, we are assured, this Child had no human father.  His conception was miraculous because it was Almighty God Who caused the egg in Mary to be fertilised, without a male sperm!  This Child was, truly, both human and divine.

And that begs the question: "Why?"   Why could He not have been a 'normal' Child Who was then, as some have suggested, 'adopted' by Almighty God at His baptism?   Why could He not have been a 'normal' Child endued with miraculous powers?   Why did He have to be so digfferent from any other person ever to be born?

The answer is really very simple, and has to do with the reason for His birth.  This was not a child who merely gave great joy to his biological parents.  This was the Child with a special mission - "... to destroy the works of the devil." (I John 3:8).  

One of the songs that, traditionally, is sung at this time of the year, is "Christians, awake, salute the happy morn,"   Unlike many of the favourite carols, it takes us beyond the Christmas story.  In the fifth verse we sing:
          Like Mary, let us ponder in our mind
          God's wondrous love in saving lost mankind;
          Trace we the Babe, Who has retrieved our loss,
          From His poor manger to His bitter cross.

That was how He achieved His purpose.  In Hebrews 2:14-15 we read, "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death He might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage."   You see, because Jesus rose from the dead, He showed that He was, and is, more powerful than it.  This, in turn, shows Him to be more powerful than the devil - the one who, currently, has the power of death!

I have already commented on the tragic incident in Glasgow, and do not wish to repeat what I said there.  However, we know that, prior to the Rapture of the true Church, each one of us will experience physical death.  This, for many, is something that they try to avoid - even to deny.  But for those who are "in Christ Jesus" (see Eph.2:13, inter al), there is no fear of death.  We are one with the One Who has conquered it!

This Christmas-time, permit me to encourage you to look beyond the tinsel, and the turkey, and the trimmings; beyond the presents, and the parties, and the Perignan.  Look to the One Who truly is the reason for the season - to Him Who loves you, and gave Himself for you.  Look to Jesus - to the One Who alone can save you from your sinfulness.  Kneel, not at the manger, but at the foot of the cross, and own Him as Your Saviour and Lord.

It will be to His eternal glory - and for your eternal good.

A very Happy Christmas to one and all.