Without Christ, Christmas is nothing!

If there is no Christ - there is no Christmas! Which is why are Christians are so convinced that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Why you might ask, it's an excellent question.

Our belief is laid on a very solid foundation. First of all we believe in divine revelation not just human discovery. In fact to learn about something outside of our sphere of experience we all accept we need information from a trustworthy source. If you are serious about discovering the truth - check the Bible out. It is a trustworthy source. Read it, check it's sources, speak to those who believe it, look at it 's accuracy in every sphere it touches. There can only be one answer to the question of the origin of a book that was written over one thousand five hundred years by forty different authors, many of whom did not even know each other. The Bible is God's message to mankind.

6 things we cannot do without

 

Somehow this coronavirus has changed nearly everything for us - working life, family contacts, church activities, shopping patterns and much more. We are really missing some of these, but we are learning to cope and are adapting remarkably well. When things get back to (more) normal, will we still benefit from the lessons we are learning just now?

 

We are learning that there are many things we can do without, and that many other things are more important than we thought, things that perhaps we have been taking for granted. For example:

Self deception - this is an unbelievable story!

Have you heard the story of the bank robber named McArthur Wheeler in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who was told that if he rubbed lemon juice on his face, he wouldn’t need to use a mask to avoid detection, because his face would be invisible to the cameras? This is not a joke it’s true! He bought a Polaroid camera and a couple of lemons, squeezed them and applied the juice to his face. He then pointed the camera at his face and clicked, rotated the camera and clicked. What he finished up with was a photo of the ceiling but no image of his face and fully believed that the lemon juice did the trick.

Keep on reading!!

In Western culture, we almost take the ability to read for granted! Reading is such a basic requirement for life. 

The fact you understand what I am talking about in this article means that you can read! Essentially, it means that you can translate the squiggles and strokes on the page. If I am incapable of writing well or of expressing my ideas then you may read the words but have no idea what I'm trying to say. Therefore, reading with understanding is vital. 

The Secret of Contentment!

When it is cold - we complain that the weather is terrible and wonder why we do not live in a hotter climate.

When it is hot - we wonder why we ever moaned and often find that the heat is more than we can cope with.

Are we ever content, I ask you?

The problem of contentment! It is great when you meet someone who is truly content and happy. Funnily enough contented people are often the ones who do not have a lot of this world's goods. They have found peace in spite of what they have, not because of what they have. Paul, one of the early bible preachers, had learned the secret of contentment. He said 'I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content,' Philippians 4:11. Contentment was not the result of good circumstances but despite the circumstances.

How about you and I; are we content? What do you think will make you happy and content? If your contentment is dependant on wealth you could well be disappointed! If good health is on your list: it might not work out. If good family relationships are important it could all go wrong! If however you understand that you are not this planet for your own satisfaction and happiness and realise that you were created to bring God glory, you will start to see where contentment and satisfaction in living start. You might find it strange but God says in the Bible that he created all things and they were created for his pleasure, Revelation 4:11. This is why people are most satisfied when they are serving and helping others others. Serving others is a method of serving God. The old fashioned service based economy was a bible based economy where the theme of life was serving others and this was a very satisfying way of living. Jesus'  life was service based. He went about doing good... He got down and washed his disciples feet when they were all debating who should be the greatest, John 13. It is recorded in the Book of the Acts that he said - 'it is more blessed to give than to receive,' Acts 20:35. 

Please do not confuse serving others with buying your way into God's favour and heaven. Good living and good works will not guarantee salvation - This fact is made very clear in the Bible. Ephesians 2:8-10 states 'For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them'.

Grace is the undeserved favour and kindness that God shows to us.

Faith is the trust we put in God's promise to forgive our wrongs and save our souls.

If you read verse nine of Ephesians 2 carefully it is very clear that becoming a believer and getting right with God is what God does for you when you confess your sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Verse ten is teaching that people who believe are saved for the purpose of living good lives and doing good works.

Religion often puts the cart before the horse and teaches that doing good, being good, being religious and living a good life will ensure that you go to heaven. Whereas the Bible actually teaches that we have all sinned, our hearts are desperately wicked and that it took the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus to make salvation available to us. 

In closing, Jesus Christ was content! He knew that he was facing certain death (in fact, he knew before he left heaven for earth, that he would be crucified) but he talked about his 'joy' being in his disciples (John 15:11) and his wish was for his disciples 'joy' to be full. That is what he wishes for you!

The Lord Jesus came into the world 'that we might have life' and the Bible expressly states that Jesus did not come to 'condemn the world' but 'that the world through him might be saved'.

Can I ask you a question? Do you know this type of contentment and joy? If not; you can do. For the Bible states that 'whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved'.

Why not bow your head and speak to God about it now!

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.