By PASTOR MICHAEL T. GJEFLE
Faith Independent Baptist Church, Ontario
This is the Christmas season. It is about the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Son of God was bornof a virgin in Bethlehem some 2,000 years ago. Do you know why? Galatians 4:4 — “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
Jesus Christ came to redeem or buy back mankind, who were sinners, lost and perishing. Oh, have you grasped the reality of your sin and its consequences and understood God’s provision for our sin in His Son Jesus Christ?
In Jesus Christ and the forgiveness found only in Him, we can receive the adoption as His children. John 1:12 — “But to as many as received Him to them gave He power to be called the sons of God.”
Have you received Him? We do so not by some religious exercise, but by opening our heart in faith as a sinner and believing He died for our sins, and then trusting in Him alone for God’s forgiveness. He is God’s gift to mankind, but must be received or accepted on our part.
What a joy that in Christ we are God’s child for all eternity; in Him, we have everlasting life. It is good to celebrate Christmas, but may each of us understand why He was born: to redeem us from our own sin. Has He done that for you?