December 16, 2021 (Thursday)
There are times when I feel like that shady character in the
movie… The one standing in a dark alley that says “psssst,” to get your
attention then pulls open his rain coat to reveal all sorts of watches and other
items attached to the coat.
It feels like I’m selling something secretive, maybe
illegal. (Thank you American culture and politics.) The truth is I know God’s
will for you! In fact, I can confidently tell you I know the meaning of
Christmas! Care to take a peek?
Check out Hebrews 10:10, “For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice
of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.” [NLT] There it is, I said it. The secret of Christmas
is that God (the Father) had a plan. Christmas is the time when Jesus (God the
Son) entered the world. In a few short months we will be celebrating Easter
when we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus.
What is all this sneaking around about? If you are God, why show
up as a baby? Why enter the world through a virgin birth? This birth looked
like a shame and blemish on poor Mary and Joseph and questioned Jesus’ place in
society. Why die like a criminal? Certainly that’s not very convincing to a
Roman society.
On top of that, my observation is that God does not make
belief easy. Just look at all the discouraging things Jesus said that turned
people off from following Him. Well, remember this thing we call salvation is “free”
to us. Things that are free are naturally devalued. Think about it, if it’s
more expensive it’s more desirable and honorable. If it is bargain basement, we
will look and maybe even buy… but value, nope.
However, the value of our salvation is not just a “get out
of Hell” card. It is in the continually experiencing the progressive process of
being made holy. It is in the daily walk with Jesus.
If we are holy it will mean: separated from sin, consecrated
for service to God, and used by God (A.B. Simpson). Despite the fact we are, by
nature unclean selfish creatures, God still loves us. It’s not that God is
ignorant of our actions and attitudes. God sees us. God is near us. God loves
us!
Let’s emphasize the point, “For by that one offering he forever made
perfect those who are being made holy.” [Hebrews 10:14 NLT] We don’t
see it much in the English translation but there is a shift in reality between
verse 10 and 14. In verse 10, “made holy” is in the perfect passive tense. “Passive”
means the action is done to us. “Perfect” means it is completed. When we jump to verse 14, “being made holy” is
present passive. In other words, the process is still happening.
So how can something be completed and still happening? That
depends on perspective and experience. In Jesus, we have been made holy
(legally). In Jesus, we are continually experiencing the progressive process of
being made holy (experience).
“Here’s the rub,” (Shakespeare), how many Christians want
the legal status of being saved with no intention of experiencing the
sanctifying power of that salvation? It’s a bit like having Christmas without Easter.
We love baby Jesus. He’s cute and cuddly. Crucified and risen Jesus is a scary
sight. IF you think that’s bad, wait till you see returning Jesus in all His
glory.
If you were given a Christmas gift, would you refuse to open
it? Kind of like wanting to be saved without being holy.
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