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Scripture for the day: James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
Thought for the day: Well, we have just 25 days until we pause, if only for a few hours, to celebrate the birth of the Savior. I know, there are billions who hold no such tradition and others who give little but a quick nod to the real reason for the season, but that shouldn’t stop us from focusing once again on the events surrounding His first advent.
So, let’s talk about sin. Wait! What? Why should we focus on something so hurtful, negative and discouraging as sin when we can look at the manger and see that precious Christ-child lying there so serene, bringing nothing but hope for all who will believe? If we are to grasp the reality of Christmas, we are forced to remember that sin is the reason for the season. I know that sounds terrible but think about it for a few seconds and you’ll realize the truth of that statement. Look at what John tells us, “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
Webster’s dictionary defines sin as: “an action that is, or is felt to be, morally reprehensible.” That’s true, but sin is much more. Webster also defines sin as “an often serious shortcoming.” Still, sin is much more than a shortcoming. I fear we tend to minimize the truly awful nature of sin in our lives. I’ve heard well-meaning folks talk about sin being a mistake but that doesn’t even approach the real definition. Others have spoken of sin as a defect in the nature or mankind. Let’s be honest; sin is no defect; sin is open defiance to the known will of God. And if it were not for that defiance, there would have been no need for the Advent.
As we make our way toward the manger where we can kneel in humility with the shepherds as we celebrate the coming of the Savior, let’s try to keep in mind the truly momentous scene we have the privilege of viewing from our perch some 2,000 years later. There lies Jesus, the Savior, the Lamb of God. Joseph and Mary have called His name Jesus, “for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). In Him we see the hope of all the world, wrapped up in a tiny child. In His is love demonstrated the fact that “what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh.”
Yes, we see hope; we see love demonstrated; we see peace proclaimed and provided. We also see, if we’re willing to look a bit more deeply, a battle joined. His birth brought the combatants to the field of battle. His death on the cross routed the enemy called sin and His resurrection sealed the fate of the greatest adversary mankind has ever known. Wrapped up in that little baby is the assurance that sin need “no longer have dominion over you” (Romans 6:14). “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).
Let’s let the world rush headlong into the new year if that’s their desire. We can pause for a bit and allow the peace, love and joy of the Advent wash over our souls as we gaze once again upon the Christ child. But let us never forget the real reason for His coming; to destroy the hold sin has had over humanity ever since Satan convinced Adam and Eve that rebellion against God wasn’t such a big deal.
Now go take on your world. - Bill