2 Corinthians 5:14-18 “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”
The week between the holidays of Christmas and New Year’s Day are days that many businesses shut down and others go on vacation. Not much is usually going on as the family gatherings, Yuletide celebrations and festivities have completed, decorations are being taken down and packed away for another year, public schools are closed for Christmas vacation, and it is a time of peace before a new year begins. It is time between the world receiving their Savior that bought reconciliation with God to all of mankind (Christ provided the way to salvation, adoption into the family of god, citizenship in heaven and abundant righteous life on earth, and a landmark date based upon that birth of Jesus Christ. The terms anno Domini (AD) and before Christ (BC) are used to label or number years in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. The term anno Domini is Latin and means 'in the year of the Lord'. A new beginning in Christ and a year begin 'in the year of the Lord'.
In John 3:14-20, 34-36 God’s plan of salvation is proclaimed “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
They Lord Jesus explained that faith in God, repentance of sin and belief in Jesus as the Savior – gift of God by His grace was a decision that each person makes personally. The prophet Isaiah declared in Isaiah 9:2, “The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.” The Apostle Paul confirmed in Romans 10:9, that “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Jesus said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” This is the joy of Christmas and the promise of a new beginning each year.
Those in darkness of sin and unbelief choose to reject and deny God, so they attack the gospel light of truth. Do not allow those dead in their love of inequity with God, trespasses against God’s authority and sins against their Maker restrict or hide your light in Christ or steal you’re your joy of new beginnings. Have a blessed new year!
In Christ, Brian
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