Sacrificial Love

Christmas: a time when; retailers hope to ring in great sales, non-profits hope gain donations, kids hope to receive all the toys they want, adults hope to receive the things (or thing) they want, and now, a time when many Christians are calling for the restoration of Christ to Christmas. Of course, what they mean by restoration is different for each person. An now we have the Christmas wars; secularists and atheists attempting to remove all displays of Christmas from public view, the changing of Christmas to the Holiday Season, and Christians fighting back to keep the holiday intact. Peace and goodwill to all men? In addition to the public arguments, people are fighting in stores for toys and screaming at others in the parking lot because they took their parking space. What a disaster Christmas has become! Hmmm, perhaps that is exactly what the Enemy wants.

God gave His Son that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. Jesus came into the world lived as a man, and died on a cross that mankind might be reconciled with God. We cannot comprehend the sacrificial love of Christ; if we even attempted, we would be celebrating Christ’s great love for us, not deciding how we are going to pay for all the stuff we have to buy as Christmas presents. Folks, it is not about getting Christ back into Christmas, it is about getting Christ back into our lives! The Bible points out clearly that our lives are not to be about possessions, but about love; love for God and love for others. The Word of God goes as far to suggest that anyone who does not love his brother is a child of devil! (1John 3:10) We know love is by what Jesus Christ has done; that he laid down His life for us. Again, from 1 John 3; “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” (verse 17) People will know us as Christ’s disciples if we have love for one another (John 13:35). As Christians we are to live out Christ’s sacrificial love.

What are we to do in this Christmas season? We are live out the Christianity that should be evident every day of our lives; living in peace with one another (Romans 12:18), giving generously (1 Corinthians 9:6-7), loving our neighbor (Matthew 22:39), proclaiming the birth of the Savior (Luke 2:11) and making disciples (Matthew 28:19). Where should this begin? In our own homes, then in our churches, our communities; the nation will change when we, as God’s people, humble ourselves, pray and seek God’s face. We need to celebrate Christmas every day of the year – Christ has come and given the ultimate gift, the gift of life as He sacrificed Himself for us. This is the good news of the Gospel. In God’s power, we can live out the Gospel and make a difference in this world.