We Proclaim The Birth and Resurrection – Sunday Thought For The Day

One of the most poignant and instructional scripture verses about the birth of Christ is found in the Gospel of Luke: “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” (Luke 2:20 KJV)

I’ve reflected upon this verse a lot the past couple weeks.  The shepherds shared that they had personally seen and experienced a Savior who was born that special night when God’s promise was fulfilled by His show of love in Bethlehem, which brings me to my point.

As they returned to their villages and homes the shepherds could but share that they had personally seen a Savior child born nights before.  We share not only that we have personally experienced Christ as Savior but as the Risen Lord through whom we can have salvation.  Therefore, we carry a message of immediacy, they carried one of anticipation of what was to come.  We carry the message of what is based upon the completed act of His crucifixion, death, and resurrection.  We carry the message of salvation through the shed blood of Christ.

If you are like me, many of your family members, friends and acquaintances are not saved.  Not all of them are living their lives engaging in behavior that churchianity instantly identifies as sinful.  But, that is man’s scale of righteousness, not God’s.  God’s Word is immutable; there is one way and one way only to spend eternity with Him in heaven and that is by accepting His Son Jesus Christ as our Savior.  No amount of good works, catechisms and/or acts of kindness can save a person.  Attending church, teaching Sunday school, and/or serving on a church committee is not a means to salvation.  In fact, tragically, there are many who consider themselves clergy who have not accepted Christ as their Savior.

This Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Savior let us keep in mind that if we are truly born again Christians, it isn’t enough for us to have accepted Christ.  It is imperative that we share the need for salvation with our family and friends.  Also, let us not take it upon ourselves to determine when they’ve reached a point that we decide they’re beyond salvation.

I do not want anyone in my sphere of association to face death without my having done as the shepherds did, only this time bringing the message of salvation in addition to the announcement of His birth.

READ:
Luke 2:8-18 KJV
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

This Christmas, if we are truly saved, let us commit to sharing praying for those in our sphere of association who are not.  I want those I love to know the joy of salvation through Jesus Christ that I have.  I want to be ready to share with a stranger.

It’s not enough that you and I have had our sins forgiven when we accepted Christ as our Savior; we must desire the same for those we have access to.