Advent: December 23rd
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5
The Godhead has always existed; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. God is happy and complete in and of Himself. His desire to create the universe, man, and the angels comes from His very nature and not some need He has in and of Himself. In other words, God did not make us for something to do, or because He was lonely, He made us because it is in His nature to create and give life. Jesus-The Word-was with God in the beginning and all things were made through him. Jesus is the Son of God.
We all have a heart problem. We have all sinned. We have fallen short of God’s good and perfect standards. This separates us from Him just as it did Adam and Eve in the garden. We cannot earn salvation. So God sent His only son, Jesus, to earth as a man. He lived a perfect life, always doing exactly what he should and never what he shouldn’t.
He came to be with us, to take on the form of mankind, and show us who the Father is. Jesus has made God the Father known to us. He is our mediator through the Holy Spirit. How amazing it is that God would come down to His creation, and restore the broken relationship between us and Him.
John 1:9-15: The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)
Jesus paid the penalty for my sin. He died on a cross not for sins of his own but for mine and yours. The good news of the gospel is that God has made a way for us to have a relationship with Him again. If we will confess our sins, and trust in Jesus, he will save us. Jesus said on the cross that, “It is finished.” He has provided all we need to come to him. Jesus rose from the grave three days after his crucifixion. He appeared to many people before ascending into heaven where he sits at the right hand of the Father. Jesus is in heaven now, but he will one day return. In the meantime, he has sent the Holy Spirit to those who are being saved to convict and change their hearts, redeem their desires, and teach them what it means to be a Christ follower.
John 1:16-18 “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.
When Jesus returns again he will make things right and purify this world. He is the one of which the scriptures say,
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7
If you do not know God there is still time. Confess your sins and ask Him for forgiveness; He alone can save.
Isn't it wonderful that He is willing?
