3 in 3 for 12-20-24

By: Chris Johnson

An opening note from Bill Johnson, American Decency Association President:

It has been our desire throughout the year – no matter how treacherous and wicked the news – to point to Christ as the ultimate victory both now and forever.

One particular word:  If you have appreciated and benefited from something we have written or spoken in these past months, it would mean a lot to hear from you – whether in gift or in words of appreciation.  Thank you for supporting our ministry, the American Decency Association.

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One thing that’s always interested me about the writings of the Apostle John is how in spite of how close he was to Jesus during His earthly ministry – he’s known as “the one whom Jesus loved” and he’s mentioned by name in many of the apostles’ accounts of Jesus actions – when John talks about Jesus after the resurrection, there is no hint of familiarity in his writing. In fact, even more than the other gospel writers, John introduces Jesus with mystical, poetic language. 1 John calls Him, “life made manifest.” In Revelation 1, Christ is called “one like a son of man” and described with a sense of awe and wonder. There’s no hint of, “I talked to my buddy, Jesus, and here’s what He said.”

That’s something to meditate on next week, as we commemorate the coming of Jesus into our world as a poor and humble baby boy. If we are tempted to take this marvelous occurrence lightly, think of how the apostle who’s been called Jesus’ best friend described His birth in John 1: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory.”

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Thank You, Lord, for Christmas!

Next week, we will celebrate the coming of the Savior of the world.

Puritan Thomas Watson wrote: “He was poor that He might make us rich. He was born of a virgin that we might be born of God. He took our flesh that He might give us His Spirit… He came down from Heaven that He might bring us to Heaven…that the Ancient of days should be born, – that He who thunders in the heavens should cry in the cradle… that the human nature should not be God, yet one with God.”

As you spend time with friends and family this year, remember what it is you’re celebrating. Our God took on flesh so that He could die for us.

How loving, how merciful, how good is our God?

It is the sacrifice of the Baby in the manger that brings us “peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinner reconciled.”

Thank You, LORD, for Christmas!

 

A Grand Example

It’s with loving fondness that I recall my father-in-law, in his elderly years, read to us the poem Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Each Christmas, it was read so touchingly that I’m still moved as I think about it. Now, my wife, Jan, stands in her father’s stead, reading and reminding us that, regardless of how bad things get here, we are assured that the Lord will come again to make all things right. Be blessed by these last two stanzas, a solemn reminder of what’s to come.

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

Dispelling the Darkness of the Human Heart

Next week we will celebrate the coming of the Prince of Peace, who came to defeat sin and death!

However, until that final victory, we live in a world impacted by the sin reigning in human hearts.

Recently, we’ve seen the horrific consequences of those who war against the authority of Jesus and reject His law.  This week, an angry teenage girl, in rebellion against God’s good design, murdered a teacher and a student in the Christian school she attended.  In another shocking example, after the cold-blooded assassination of a healthcare CEO, a poll found that 41 percent of young people aged 18-29 find the murder acceptable.

The strife around us reveals the great need for Christians to spread the Good News of the Gospel in our nation. The only way to dispel the darkness of the human heart is found in the Light of the World.

 

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