God's READY PEOPLE, by lifelong Forgiveness
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IN the first half of the Benedictus, all focused on Christ, We've got the what (visit and redeem), how (horn of David = defeat enemies of our souls, covenant mercy of Abraham's seed = possess the enemy gates), why of God visiting us (serve , without fear, in righteousness and holiness, before him all our days= )
But how does this salvation that greet our world Christmas morn; how does it get into our lives? That is the reason John the Baptist figures into this prophesy for recieving Christ. Remember
“For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.
But how does this salvation that greet our world Christmas morn; how does it get into our lives?
- God’s not going to bring His Son into this world, without a prophetic word of exlpanation - Zexchaiarh mouth opened up - 9 months - so far all speaking of Mary’s child. Never mind that this couple had a basbyin their 70s the big deal is the Christ. And you got to know it would be for lack of deep appreciation for having a baby that he didn’t speak of him, yet, No prophet for 400 years - and now his son John is to be the propeht of the Most High. He is to be the one who goes in the spiirt of Elijah - And all of israel would need this forerunner of the Christ - in order to receive properly. Do you know that you and I also needd the minsitry he represented? Listen to how Jesus later spoke of John: He said All the Prophets and Law prophesied until John. John\’s the last of OT revelation - last greater big pointeer to Jeuss and we need him.
I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
You value OT prhopehsies 33 of them, that Zechariah drew together like constellation of stars. All the sketches of who this Horn of salvation, prince from Davids house, king, Seed of Abraham - mrecy, set free to worship , Passover Lamb coming into the world. But now you need thie minstry of JOhn’s to get this Saviour in your life. You need a minsitry like John to prepare to receive the Christ!
now one greater than all the prophets before - You value OT - all the sketches of who this Horn of salvation, prince from Davids house, king, Seed of Abraham - mrecy, set free to worship , Passover Lamb coming into the world ,
People Prepared for Christmas A) Become a Made-Ready-people by John
People Prepared for Christmas become A) a Made-Ready-people by John
Do you value John - need a forerunner - why do you need one? How many of you have a door bell - visitors come in without - announced readied = let the festivities begin - if expected visitor from across the sea - might shout out THEY ARE HERE - and whole family greet! Well Christ comes into the world - and the priests don’t greet them they aren’t ready, the religious leaders of the community - Pharisees - super involved too busy, the Great political powers - not really ready are they? Can be the same with religious people this Christmas to busy to receive Christ. So God’s sends John as the door bell to the whole world.
But do you value John - need a forerunner - why do you need one? How many of you have a door bell - visitors come in without - announced readied = let the festivities begin - if expected visitor from across the sea - might shout out THEY ARE HERE - and whole family greet!
But do you value John - need a forerunner - why do you need one? How many of you have a door bell - visitors come in without - announced readied = let the festivities begin - if expected visitor from across the sea - might shout out THEY ARE HERE - and whole family greet!
Christ comes into the world - the priests dont’ greet aren’t ready, the religious leaders of the community - Pharisees - super involvedd too busy, the Great political powers - not really ready are they -
God’s sends John as the door bell to the whole world = Jesus said of him
I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
Look at the end of what Jesus says about John:
I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
Watershed in the kingdom, so if you get to Christ surpass even John. But surely must give some attention to J the Baptist. I love John’s self-description:
The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”
He is just the best-man in the wedding, not the wedding or the bridgegroom, he must increase, I must decrease; But it is His job - sound the signal and bring us the bride to Christ! Have you ever thought of John - felt his minsitry ie. Dear friend - perplexed for days about John in prison… wondered about why he baptized Jesus? Have you? The Bible was so clear -even the angel Gabriel rehearses the propehsy to Zechariah before the birth of John
Have you ever thought of John - felt his minsitry ie. Dear friend - perplexed for days about John in prison… wondered about why he baptized Jesus? Have you? The Bible was so clear -even the angel Gabriel rehearses the propehsy to Zechariah before the birth of John
and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
What does it mean to becoime this PEOPLE-PREPARED. This READIED-PEOPLE? In my devotions in read how God loves the gates of Zion, more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. Everywhere else people live kind of temporary and shabby even the kings’s palaces of this world, your tent and mine.
But the Psalm says That city on the holy mountain, God FOUDNED Zion, the psalm says, the mOst high will ESTABLISH her, new foreigners and those born in the church’s gates! It is the same word The Most High establishes, prepares, makes ready - word in the OT when used of God to mean - he founded the pillars of the earth, And this made-ready people is His new creation in the world! That’ what the Messiah is building out of you and me, and that building will last forever!
Tent we dwell in temporary and omrtal and pass away, but we have a building in the heavenlies unseen yet eternal
For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
But before the Coming One, Messiah with this salvation, - Elijah must prepare the way: Do you have an Elijah in your life - Has John's ministry been received by you? Who was Elijah? Remember him - little wild, tenderly in the wilderness outcast - sense kingdom of heaven with him in his power - power to raise the dead even; BUT remembered most for toe-to-toe confrontations - Jezebel’s priests of Baal, the whoel people of ISrael - how long waiver -
Ahab - you troubler of the peace in Israel - Yes its true I stir the pot, but it is you with your sin, twisting justice to suit your own purpose your idolatry. Do you have an Elijah that says to you - if its peace that you want not going to find it in managing your status quo . No, if you are going to be the people-prepared then you are going to need to have your heart turned to the children, going to have your disobedience turned to the wisdom of the just!
before the Coming ONe, Mesisah - this salvation - Elijah would come - do you have an Elijah in your life - Has JOhn’s ministry been received by yu? Who was Elijah - remember him - little wild, tenderly in the wilderness outcast - sense kigndom of heaven with him in his power - power to raise the dead even; BUT remembered most for toe-to-toe confrontations - Jezebel’s priests of Baal, the whoel people of ISrael - how long waiver -
Ahab - you troubleer of the peace in Israel - Yes its true I stir the pot, but it is you with your sin, twisting jsutic suit your own puprose your idolatry - bring - Have an Elijah that says to you - if its peace that you want not going to find it in - managing your status quo -
No if you are going to be the people-prepared then you are going to need to have your heart turned to the children, going to have your disobedience turned to the wisdom of the just!
See that’s the work of the forerunner - not just ring the door bell, but goes inside to the people, and help them get their house in order. That’s why JZechariaih prophesies that this John the Baptist's job is to PREPARE HIS WAYS in our lives, to bring gpsel repentance! :
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
See how Luke introduces John the Baptists ministry as a fulfillment of these familiar words from Isaiah’s prophesy:
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ” He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.” As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison. Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”
Do you have any rough places in your life? Any valleys , any crooked ways - invite the LORD to come not just inspect them, but level and straighten - so that Christ may have a path to walk upon in your life? John’s continual call was to both to REPENT and BELIEVE: Putting faith in God’s salvation was oneside of the coin, , the reflex action of faith is repentance - flips side of the coin!
So John then says, to the crowds that came out to him - why did you come out - now bear fruit in keeping with repentance - and the poeple who would be preprared for Christ, said, what shall we do - JOhn gave them specifics in their calling.
Became a people readied, for Christ, not just to come into their lives with a baptism of repentance (preparatory), but God visit them with the very Holy Spirit.
John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Not just hear the door bell rigning, but do what John says to ready yourself for Christs work. Take him through your life - relationships with your family members, your work, how you treat particular neigbhours - - say I want the wholeness the restoration the work of Jesus - ready !
John’s ministry was to get a people made-ready. Are you? John was to prepare them, another important word in OT and NT. Word used for an Oriental monarch’s visitation, the way prepared! ie. JOhn Paul III through E. Europre. Most beuaitful odl centrum can imagine in stinky old steel city no one really knows about. What about your little life and mine?
This is the word God called, sweaty stinky, unorganized freed slaves, before showed him his gloryon Mt Sinai - bagn his work in them of dforging a kingdom of grace. Before you can enter into fellowship with me - frame your hearts and lives to prepare for it. Remember what he said to the children of Israel:
the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
Maybe you say this Christmas Christ already came, I already repented of my sin once and know whim as Saviour, I don’t need John’s ministry or repentance. No, listen, in the NT for those already saved - the whole Christian life is to be a conscious vigilant expectation of a goal - Urgency to be prepared for three things:
In the NT for those already saved - the whole Christain life is to be a conscious vigilinent expectation of a goal - Urgency to be prepared for three things:
For Good Works:
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
2. To Bear Witness to the Gospel:
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
you did that with my brother - together as we sang , people who sign praises of God - do that as gather at table, courage to share with co—worker how Christmas went - know what I believe that baby Jesus alive today - he ministered to me . Not all evangelism is individual, invite to worship together!
3. Most important way we are to be made ready - just like they had to for Christ first coming , is for when he comes again - Could be tomorrow , could be toady but Jesus is coming surely soon:
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Just like the children of Israel had to clean their clothes in readying - great symbolic action - so too God is saying, you want to fellowship with Jesus - ready that heart of your - any sin, any wroldly distraction, - hate any moral splotch - turn to God in repentance -
We are going to see it soon - that when God visits their is fear - mega fear - drawing close, but John didn’t call us to this preparation/readying, as if had to be perfect, but humble acknowledge and hate and desire deal with - level my paths Lord! Already with John, you’ve got to hear a Word of Promise that is different from jsut the Law = you are not good enough!
People Prepared for Christmas B) live by an experiential knowing of salvation
Look what Zechariah prophesies next:
But look what Zechariaih prophesies next
to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins,
The prophesy isn’t just that you are going to know about events of Jesus, and the doctrines, and then just try really hard to repent, and put practices of the religion. Zechariah prophesies that through John people would receive a donation - given something! Humbling thing - receive in need -
How the Greek mystery religions, later mixed in with Christianity talked about knowledge - it was like being zapped with new experience enables yo to see deeply into the mysteries of life the rest of the world can’t see - Gnosticism!
Well, what is the mystery that John will bring into people’s lives? It is the mystery of salvation, not difficult that a child can't understand it, but not just facts for adults to absorb, It is not just a knowing about, but a personal knowing - Something the Spirit reveals. Peter flesh and blood didn’t reveals this. Nicodemus, without the Spirit can’t even see let alone know the Kingdom of God!
John isn’t Christ, but John does give an in between step. The knowledge of salvation he gives is that people would be convinced they are sinners and need the Messiah, that they would have this experience of knowing God. in anew way. The whole world knows they are right with God. But when you come to this knowledge of salvation in the coming Messiah, you know what you really believe at the core of your being?
to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
Luke 1:77
Do you have this simple experience of knowing God will listen to your , help and deliver you, simply because he has mercy on you? This knowledge is what is promised in the New Covenant. Jeremiah’s prophesy of the New Covenant the Messiah would bring:
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
will answer their cry for mercy! What is refered to in Jeremiah’s prophesy of the New Covenant the Messiah would bring:
And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
Do you know God and his salvation like that - Why it isn’t mere knowledge of the Law, but of the promise of God! Listen to
Do you know God and his salvation like that - WHy it isn’t mere knoweldge of the Law, but of the promise of God!
Listen to
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);
Word of faith, knowledge of salvation, isn’t a bunch of opinions, Sad thing in our day of massive information glut - TS Elliot were is the wisdom -lost in mere knowledge - If you want to be prepared for Christmas, need more than a couple factoids bouncing around, need more than hope-so-hope that might be true and God might have good news for me. You need by God’s word to you that becomes this rock-solid assurance and certainty that God will favour you, that He will answer when you call to Him in your time of need. That He will delight in Christ to bestow on you and inheritance of heaven, a kingdom!
This morning as you sit here before the Christ of Christmas, do you experience the promises of John -like John unworthy to untie o his sandals. But this Christ has a promise and a will to save you - that faith extinguish all the doubts about whether I’m good enough, is my faith strong enough. No All I need to know is Jesus promise to me! Do you see it the obstacles for you and me in coming to salvation are not in Christ - drawing near and ready to save, but the obstacles are in us - and John is saying humbly acknowledge your sin in repentance, and come to this knowing of salvation by faith!
This mornign as you sit here before the Christ of Chrirstmas, do you expereice teh promises of JOhn - Saviour who is God HImself coing into the world, and JOhn let alone you or me, not worthy to even untie the thongs of his sandals, and yet This Christ has a promise and a will to save you - that faith extinguigh all thedoubts about whether Im good neough, abou what is truth about how shall I live, - I live by promise - real knowing of salvation. Do you see it the obstacles for you and me in cominog to salvation are not in Christ - drawing near and ready to save, but the obstacles are in us - and John is saying hubmly akcnoeldge your sin in repentance, and come to this knowing of salvation by faith!
Interesting - after the Protestant Reformation, great bishop in RCC said you know what the greatest heresy of PR is - not justification by grace alone, through alone. But assurance of faith. RC says no can’t know - promises can’t be trusted salvation not known like that - faith is extinguished by wrack your conscience over whether contributed enough in religious duties, whether good works, whether kept pure enough.
But that brings us to the most hopeful way you must be prepared for Christmas. And this is the most wonderful news! What is the heart of this Knowing God? What are you to be finding in this Christ-child most of all?
People Prepared for Christmas become C) find in Christ LIFELONG Remission of Their Sin
This experiential knowledge of salvation has at it’s heart the forgiveness of sins. Is that so in your heart and mind and life and experience - that the biggest most central truth and reality you know is forgiveness - it’s the radux, the root from which everything else grows in your life? This how salvation is applied by John the Baptist pointing us to Jesus Christ! That was the big thing John got people to live by - jesus there He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world? Has he for you?
It is so interesting that this gospel of Luke, he has the entrance of the Son of God becoming incarnate to save the world with the baby lowly wrapped in what? Actually just one word in Greek -swaddling/bound!
And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
And yo get to the end of the gospel, and again you have the Son of God lowly his body wrapped again. His death is foreshadowed in his birth. Do you understand what Luke is saying: this baby is born to die. Born to be the sacrificial lamb - some how takes away your sin and mine! He is the donation from God - to grant us forgiveness - whole point of the gospel!
But you and I have become so used to the word forgiveness - so used to it in a religious sense that we start to think of it as something God owes to people who at some point -tip their hat and give him some kin of acknowledgement -OK maybe wont’ be so severe, Maybe now at the time of conversion - canceled my debts - once and only one time get on with my living.
Even with other people, we are so used to the idea that we should be a forgiving people that we think it is just an attitude that we’ll be sorry and nice to each other again. But deep down if you have ever had to forgive someone of a big thing, you know it isn’t just a one time deal - now and again Have to ask yourself will I hold this against him or her still. Or do I chose to remember it but not in a way that I hold it against them. Will I hold them as having to pay it back, or absorb the cost outstanding and live reconciled! Even with family members maybe especially with them it is like that!
This is why have chosen to use that word we use for cancer. Such good news when I cancer is put into remission. It is literally sent away. Other words for forgiveness - result of overlooking sin, so he can look indulgently favourably, there is to pay for sin, make appeasement, grant a pardon, all good words. But the main NT word in the blue here - is aphiemi - literally to send away, to So, great exchange happens when you trust Christ:
So, great exchange happens when you trust Christ:
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Took it all away - past, present, sin , sinful nature - and granted to us his righteousness. But do you understand that God sending Jesus to be the sacrifice for sin not just your past and present sin, not just sin in general. But your future sins. Do you understand that the forgiveness of sins does not just apply to your sins, bad things done, hurt others offended God and he sends that away; Forgiveness of sins also applies to the doer of the sins - God personally forgives you in Christ. Not just when you become a Christian, but your sins while no longer able to damn you and bring punishment upon you, they do bring you into a distance with God, a discipline; and that is why forgiveness something you and I must continually seek and find, and rejoice and live in the Christ child!
Does the forgiveness Christ came to bring for you, is it active daily in your new relationship with God the Father - is it working in you today? Yes in conversion. But what about now? Do you realize why we would rather keep Christmas in the past - Christ’s coming back, then, or even in the future, I will see the Christ in heaven when I die, or the return of Christ. But this message from John is a message especially for Jesus’ people now, for those who embracing Jesus, are worried that their life of service back to Him won’t be good enough and therefore they feel they can’t really live in fellowship with God.
But listen to John Calvin’s observation about your need and my need to go to this Christ of Christmas continually: “From Scripture it is clear that forgiveness does not come once and once only, but that the knowledge of salvation lies in LIFELONG FORGIVENESS OF SINS.” John Calvin
“From Scripture it is clear that forgiveness does not come once and once only, but that the knowledge of salvation lies in LIFELONG FORGIVENESS OF SINS.” John Calvin
Oh, you who are depressed as another Christmas rolls around, you who feel how shallow your walk with the LORD has become, you who are so serious about serving the LORD you have no joy in just being with him. You are working so hard you are weary! God knows you, and in Christ, I can say he loves you - not for what you will be or do, but just as you are - and he has a life of blessedness for you but it is based on daily being in Christ, resting in the acceptance of this Christ-child.
You know this about the gospel, no sin too great Christ can’t forgive it. You know that he will forgive us from all our sin; but do you know that this Child of Christmas was also born to cleanse you daily from all your sin. You who are trying so hard to stand on your own merit, receive God’s donation to you in Christ - His blood still speaks today, it continually cleanse us as we turn to him. And do you know why we need that?
Because the only sacrfice left for us to give to God, Christ has fulfilled al the other ones - is not a dying sacrfice, but a living one!
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Do you understand that your good works (prepared in advance for you in Christ), that they are so important. That they are what God is pleased in as you live for Him. But do you understand that even your best works still tinged with sin, our motives never 100% love yet. Some of our good works look perfect to ourselves and even to others, but God looks deeper. And he knows our failings. But if you are in Christ, and you turn to him all your life for forgiveness, know that God purges the blemishes off your good works. Know that free act of remission - he doesn’t hold you accountable for what remains sinful, and he is pleased in Christ with you and the good though imperfect works you offer in service to him.
But if you are in Christ, and you turn to him all your life for forgiveness, know that God purges the blemishes off your good works. Know that free act of remission - he doesn’t hold you accoutnable for what remains sinful, and he is pleased in Christ with you and the good though impoerfect works you offer in service to hijm.
Once when
I once worked a job where one day I felt a complete failure. I was tempted to blame my foreman. After a summer of doing lot of concrete grunt work, occasionally operate Tamper, he sent me down into the water tank dark, damp, with a quick cut - big loud concrete saw. Never operated anything close to that in my life . He had a blow out down there, big and ugly, wanted me to cut it out - so id didn’t look like it. I messed up, he wasn’t happy… I though - here I am married man, trying to can’t even do this - felt so rotten and felt rotten towards him too. But you know what he was a Christian maybe not the best leader, maybe teaching me - but he forgave me - he went down fixed my mistake - and you know what he still liked me, still cared for me, - and you know what I could still work for him!
Do you understand you need that even if you are already saved, you need this ongoing-forgiveness from jesus - to keep living in that acceptance and that empowering relationship with God. God must continually be gracious and overlook our failings and sins. Do you understand that in Christ he does just that for us, so that all of our good works and service in Him all our virtue depends on his grace and forgiveness.
When you have this kind of ongoing-lifelong-forgiveness from Christ in our life - God the Father gives you the mark of adoption, he gives you seal on our hearts of the Holy Spirit we are his children, we can keep pressing on through our doubts, through our failures. No suffering is going to crush us, because God has sent us His Son , and how will he not also along with him -give us everything we need. And it is this acceptance, that embolden us to really give our service, flawed as it is, not to earn but to know that God is pleased, and God uses it for the furtherance of His grace and glory in this world!
You understand that this is the most important way a people is made-ready, is founded by God in this world - know that they are loved by him and live not as orphans or as workers in fear of losing their job and lively hood . See the work the suffering, & the service ahead and know that the Son the Christ is with us!
We must become be this kind of prepared people who have forgiveness at the core of our being, who dig in deep to the knowledge of salvation, who heeding John are a repenting people. But Christmas morning the conclusion of this prophesy, we will see the results of the Son of God visiting us like a day sprig, sunrise in our souls and making the way of peace in our lives! but tonight is first the joy of Jesus’ coming!