Please watch the video introduction to my message here:
This Christmas, as we remember Christ’s birth, let’s dive deep into all the benefits His Life and Death brought for us. The baby in the manger is wonderful and beautiful, truly a beyond-words story; its effects go on into Eternity.
The benefits of Christ’s life and obedience to the Father are without count. If you are a believer and live for Him, you understand that. This is not an exaggeration. It is also not an exaggeration to say we once lived in darkness, unaware of His love and presence. If we are growing in our faith, His peace and joy and His Life keep getting brighter in us.
The older I get, the more meaningful His birth becomes to me. I enjoy rereading it every year and would suggest the same for you. If your response is, “I’ve heard it a thousand times can we talk about something else,” as I did in my younger years, you have some work to do? Pride is the problem, and humility is the answer. I saw pride in myself and prayed for humility. That was the quickest answer to a prayer I have ever had. So be warned!
Now back to the topic. The benefits of Christmas started before His birth as both the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. They knew the plan they would have to take to save “fallen” man. Here in Psalm 103 (and other Psalms as well) is the foreshadowing of the Cross.
Psalms 103:3- 13
Who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases (not possible without the Cross) who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.
The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed (oppression only exists because of sin). He made known his ways to Moses (Moses sought a more intimate walk with God “show me your face Lord” Ex. 33:21 to the end. An amazing exchange between Moses and God) and his acts to the people of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
(Old Testament law, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth Ex.21:23)
as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father shows compassion to his children, the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. Because of the Cross, Jesus turned the law upside down, and everything changed. Yet, at the same time, we as believers hold to a higher “law.” Because of His enormous sacrifice, we seek to live holy lives far beyond the law. The law only regulated man’s outward behavior. The new law of the Spirit changes man’s heart, preparing and causing him to be an actual temple for His God. AMAZING
Sin had to be punished because He is a Holy God and Holiness demands it. On the Cross, with The Perfect Lamb, judgment, and justice was fully satisfied against sin. Now He can “show compassion to his children, as the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.”
This was His heart’s desire from the beginning and could now be realized by those who seek Him. As I write this, I am becoming aware that His Grace is beyond measure. As He reveals more wonder to me, I get the impression that I am still just at the surface of His Grace and Love. His Ocean is without measure, without limit, without end. As the universe does not end, so His Grace and Love do not end. How much love does it take to sacrifice your only Son for rebellious, stubborn, hateful humanity?
Psalm 103 could not be valid if the Cross were not factored into the equation of God dealing with man. His birth must precede it. Man could never come before a Holy God without sacrifice; atonement had to be made. So much was done “behind the scenes” before the scene became public.
God does “satisfy us with good,” but it’s His good, not ours. Wealth will not satisfy our souls. Our souls crave His peace and love. Only He can renew us and make us feel young. If we put our trust in wealth, the opposite happens, and our youth is taken from us.
How did we do these past two years? Did we deepen our walk with Christ, or did we let the uncertainty of COVID and the future control us? With all the promises of God Proverbs 3, Psalms 37, Joshua 1, (and more), there is no need to shrink back in a crisis. It is our opportunity to advance spiritually and see God work on our behalf. If not now, then when? These last two years are as bad as my generation has seen it. Sin paraded before us unashamed. I guess the other option is to listen to the voice of fear, but what a wreck we would be. I prefer to take Joshua’s stance.
Joshua 24:13-15
And I have given you a land for which ye did not labor, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and olive yards which ye planted not do ye eat (the benefits of serving the Lord).
Now, therefore, fear (revere) the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt, and serve ye the LORD.
And if it seems evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve — the LORD.
When God says all things are possible for those who trust in God (Matt. 19:26), He means it. He is just waiting on us to believe and desire the things He desires. These promises are meant to go deeper than just a surface understanding. They’re to go to our inner man and woman. Our inner being sustains us in trials, difficulties, and in the face of loss. If we struggle with trusting God, we need to spend more time in the scriptures to build a concrete bridge of faith.
Especially helpful are the great stories in the Old Testament. Put yourself in any of these fantastic stories and believe what you read. They are not just bedtime stories. They are history. Sustained strength comes from faith. Faith comes from believing the scriptures and holding the scriptures in our hearts and mind. This brings us into a deepening relationship with our Father. A love relationship is what He seeks, no less. NO OTHER FAITH TEACHES WHAT CHRISTIANITY TEACHES. IT IS SOLELY FOUND IN GOD, IN CHRIST, AND VIA HIS GRACE TOWARDS US.
Psalm 23 describes this relationship; we as His sheep and He as our Shepherd.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness.
For his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil;
My cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
In contrast to these past years, it feels good to have such a qualified and loving Shepherd. Do you know that the cares of the sheep are the concerns of the Shepherd? He is all-knowing, very capable of guiding and directing your life. Come to Him. Start right here with these two Psalms. Meditate upon them until they find a place in your soul. It would be the best Christmas gift you could give yourself.
The scriptures point us to Christ. If you feel you can do life on your own, I will challenge you. Do you have peace, joy, a sense of being loved, and the ability to forgive and love others? If you are honest with yourself, you will come up short. These are just a few benefits of walking with Christ.
The point I am trying to make is we were never meant to walk and live in this life without Him. We have a void in our soul as proof, and we try to fill it with everything and anything that we think will complete us. It works for a time, and then just as a car running out of gas, we need to be refilled (again). This Christmas, instead of going through the motions, do one thing for yourself, take me up on my challenge, get real with God.
John 3:16-17
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Whatever thoughts you have of God, whether you think He’s good or indifferent, or He’s out to get you, these verses show the true God we have. He proved His love for us when He gave His life for you and me on the Cross. He did all He could do to save us and to bring us into a relationship with Him. If we want Him in our lives, we need to ask Him.
Revelation 3:20-21
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Open the door of your heart and receive Him in.
Dear Father,
Thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ, for being born as a babe and live among us until such time and predetermined by You, He surrendered His life to the Cross in which You placed upon Him the sins of us all, and as the spotless Lamb, He died with our sins. His death becomes our Life as He rose from the dead and gives us that same Eternal Life when we confess our faith in Him and receive forgiveness for our sins. The Greatest exchange ever made in the history of man. Our sins, mistakes, shortfalls in exchange for His truth, forgiveness, and love. There is not a better deal on planet earth.
I wish you a Merry Christmas! If you would like to contact me I can be reached at Arthur@Vida4U.com as well as our blog Vida4U.com with many devotional studies that are meant to strengthen and equip you for your life in Christ.
Thank you for listening and reading, and may you celebrate Christmas with newfound peace and joy as you commit yourself to Christ or recommit your life to Him. Amen
Consider buying my book, an edited collection of these Vida4U messages, which is sure to soothe the soul.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092FRD6NQ/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_W5GTKYNK42X2WNBVH2M0Arthur Navarrette