How many days are left until Christmas 2016

As I write there are 68 days left until Christmas 2016 - Oh no!!!

It could be the onset of years but Christmas seems to come around quicker every year. It is probably the early appearance of adverts and the Christmas commercial juggernaut appearing on the horizon which gives the impression that Christmas is coming.

For a Christian, the event which is celebrated at Christmas is not confined to December or even November. It is not even restricted to being about the Saviour’s infancy; it is actually about more about His deity and that is a truth which bears consideration all year round.

I don’t suppose anyone can ever fathom what it means for God to be born in a manger. How does one explain the Almighty stooping to become a tiny infant? It was the greatest condescension the world has ever known or will ever know. Our minds cannot begin to understand what was involved in God becoming a man. We will never comprehend why He who was infinitely rich would become poor, assume a human nature, and enter into a world He knew would reject Him and kill Him.

Nor can anyone explain how God could become a baby. Yet He did. Without forsaking His divine nature or diminishing His deity in any sense, He was born into our world as a tiny infant. How can both things be true?

Humanity and Deity

For nearly two thousand years, debate has been raging about who Jesus really is. Some say He is one of many gods, a created being, a high angel, a good teacher, a prophet, and so on. The common thread of all such theories is that they make Jesus less than God.

But let the Bible speak for itself. John’s gospel begins with a clear statement that Jesus is God: “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 nothing was made that was made” (John 1:1-3). Who is “the Word” spoken of in these verses? John 1:14 removes any doubt: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth”.

The biblical evidence is overwhelming that this child in the manger was the incarnation of God. For one thing, He was omniscient (knew all things). John 2:24-25 says that, “But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.” Nathanael was shocked to discover that Jesus knew all about him before they ever met. It was enough to persuade him that Jesus was the Messiah (John 1:48-50). John 4 describes Jesus’ meeting with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. He knew everything about her (John 4:17-19, 29).

Jesus also did the works of God, saying, “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves” (John 14:11). Jesus’ works are convincing proof that He is God. He began His miraculous ministry with a simple act—He created wine at a wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11). Only God can create. Moreover, He healed people who were hopelessly ill. He gave a blind man eyes. He opened ears that had never heard. He restored withered limbs. He created enough fish and bread to feed thousands. He raised the dead simply by a command.

This child was God

Why would God become a man and be born in such a lowly manner and let men treat Him the way they did?

“It was the Father’s good pleasure . . . through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:19-20).

He did it to make peace between God and humanity. All of us have sinned, and we sin repeatedly: “There is none righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 2:23). God hates sin and must respond with His wrath. He is a righteous judge who “is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11). Humanity reacts with more hatred, rebellion, or indifference toward God: “There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:18). The only possible response of a holy God to our sin is more than we can bear, for “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

Only Jesus, because He alone is both God and man, could ever resolve the conflict.

He takes the hand of a repentant, yielding sinner and the outstretched hand of a holy yet loving God, and He joins the two. He can forgive our sins, reconcile us to God, and thus make “peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:20). And God is not reluctant for that to occur; rather it is the very reason He sent Christ into the world.

God is justifiably angry with our sin. Yet He loves us enough that He gave His own Son to live on earth, die on a cross, suffering the full weight of God’s wrath, which should have been our lot. He paid the penalty for sin and can bring peace between us and God. It could not have been done any other way.

Will you hear the voice of God in His word, the Bible and trust His Son, Jesus, for salvation. Our prayer is that you will.

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

This site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

Written for STT by a guest blogger

What Britons believe about God!

What Britons believe about God!

A recent survey concluded that Britons are more likely to believe in ghosts and karma than a Creator. It’s probably important to note, however, that ‘Christian’ is a cultural identification for many. Last year, YouGov found that only 55 per cent of self-identified Christians believe a God exists.

In fact it would seem that in British society a trend of ‘christianaphobia’ is rising. Christianity is accused of some amazing things. A couple of years ago, in a large circulation Regional Newspaper in England, Christianity was accused of being the source of the 'tide of disrespect engulfing us'. Is this really an honest assessment?

The impact of Christianity on the world is indisputable! Following the principles Jesus taught produced social reform, improved education, the development of science and medicine and influenced literature and philosophy!

The consequences of failing to follow the teachings of Jesus will be catastrophic both for society and the individual! The Bible teaches that Jesus will return to earth one day to judge the world righteously, Acts 17:31. All wrong will be judged; sadly unbelief in God, and his Son Jesus, is one of those wrongs that will qualify. 

This may seem harsh but essentially unbelief is the worst crime of all because of what it leads to. 

God is light therefore unbelief leaves you in moral darkness. 

God is truth therefore unbelief leaves you with all that is false. 

God is life therefore unbelief leaves you with death. 

God is holy therefore unbelief leaves you with sins unforgiven.

Ultimately unbelief leads to all the depravity that we readily accept is wrong and harmful. Thankfully today we all have the opportunity to 'believe in the Lord Jesus Christ'. In that day it will be too late.

In closing I want to pass on a ‘Global Warning,’ (excuse the pun)! This is not about the effect of the mismanagement of our planet and its resources, important though that is, but about an issue which has a longer lasting effect. This planet will come to the end of it's life cycle one day, see 2 Peter 3. However our souls will never die! The warning is that if we do not actively get back to God then we will find that we are, on death, forever at a distance from God and all that God is i.e. love, justice, peace etc. 

How can we come to God? The answer is in seeking the Lord while he may be found, repenting of our sin (turning away from it) and placing our personal trust in Jesus Christ.

The scripture teaches - 'Christ died for our sins....and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day,' 1 Corinthians 15.3,4.

The solution is to 'repent and believe the gospel,' Mark 1.15.

May you come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour as a result of considering these thoughts from the Bible. 

To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

This site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

Uncertainty v Certainty

Uncertainty v Certainty

English Football

The dismal performance of England’s footballers against Iceland, at the European Championship Competition in France, resulting in their exit from the tournament caused uncertainty for the players and the national coach. Immediately, speculation regarding the future selection of some of the players was called into question, and similarly the coach resigned and caused speculation as to who would be the next England manager. It is evident that the millions of TV pounds that are swilling around in the Premier League are not producing players that can perform like a national team should do.

The Brexit Vote The Brexit vote in the UK’s Referendum has caused a lot of uncertainty, politically, economically and socially. Prime Minister, David Cameron announced his resignation which opened up further speculation as to who the next Tory leader/P.M. would be. Some thought that the Brexit frontrunner, Boris Johnson would automatically step into Cameron’s shoes, but not so! It soon became known that he didn't have the backing of fellow Brexit MP’s and he withdrew interest in running for the top job in British politics. The UK now has a woman Prime Minister, Theresa May. The Labour Party is passing through equally uncertain times with a bitter struggle as to who will be their leader.

The UK Economy
 Pound sterling has dropped in value on the money markets causing the Governor of the Bank of England to put in place contingency plans to avoid the economy going into recession as previously experienced.

The Housing Market has wobbled into an uncertain period, investors are playing the waiting game to see which way the economy moves.

Some major investors such as Richard Branson have said publicly that they are putting projects on hold which would possibly employ thousands of workers. Other industrialists who wanted to leave the EU see bigger international markets open to them. There is a lot of uncertainty in many quarters, businessmen not knowing what the future holds.

Social Unrest In the U.S.A.  there is uncertainty in some States over Law Enforcement, following the killing of two black people by the police, and later, a revenge killing of six policemen by an ex-military sniper. President Obama has personally intervened to try to quell the racial unrest and violence. Violence still persists in the Middle East causing great concern and uncertainty in the area to thousands of people fleeing their country to try to find a place where a more secure future is assured. Turkey has imploded with a failed military coupe and the arrest of over 50,000 people who are a potential threat to the current government. 

The answer from the Bible Someone has said that there is only one certainty in life and that is death, which is partly correct but not wholly so. Death is a certainty, the Bible says in Heb 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” 

Paul added this thought when he wrote to Timothy in 1st Timothy 6:7 “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” This relates to the physical aspect of birth and death. People generally do not like to think that they are accountable to God for the life that they have lived. But the Day of Judgment is certain and no one will survive it by trying to balance the good they have done against the bad. It does not work like that; the only certain way of safety is to have the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour when you meet your Maker.

The Apostle John was absolutely certain that Jesus is God and that all things were made by Him, he tells us that in the first few verses of his Gospel. Some of you reading this probably do not believe what John believed as you have swallowed the lie of evolution. Other truths that John wrote about were the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. John also tells us in chapter 14 that after the cross Jesus would go back to Heaven. Jesus made the promise, “I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”  Every believer on the Lord Jesus Christ has a certain hope of the imminent return of the Lord to take His Church to Heaven. Christendom is full of confusion and uncertainty because of erroneous doctrine, but the Bible presents truth concerning the future. When Christ returns to the air He will call all believers that have died out of their graves and simultaneously change the body of all living Christians to prepare them for Heaven.

When the Church has gone to Heaven, God will take up His dealings again with Israel He will fulfill all the covenants that He made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David concerning the Land of Israel and the Throne in Jerusalem, where He will rule the world for a thousand years. Unbelievers will not see that Kingdom, Jesus said to Nicodemas, in John ch.3, “Except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” One thing is absolutely certain, only believers will enjoy the answer to the prayer, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”

All the promises of God are yea and amen in Christ Jesus, we have an anchor within the veil both sure and steadfast that will never fail, salvation is secured by the cross of Christ, His death and resurrection.

1 Corinthians chapter 15 says that “He must reign” and He will reign universally. In that day the earth will be released from the curse which started when Adam sinned against God. When Jesus comes again the earth will yield bountifully and eliminate starvation, there will be no third world nations, and Christ’s rule will be equitable. Nations that are presently jockeying for world supremacy will find themselves subjugated to the rule of Christ. Israel will be born again in one day. 

It is time to choose Christ, to trust Him for salvation and be certain of a wonderful future.

Written by a Guest Blogger

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To access podcasts and videos explaining the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ visit www.seekthetruth.org.uk

This site will give you access to Bible Teaching Audio's and Video's as well.

All posts have the aim of pointing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour or to aid Christian growth and development.