Write From My Heart / December 25, 2020 / Audits & Resolutions – Day 25
Question: Do I acknowledge Christ as the “Reason for the Season” or the reason for life?
John 3:16-18 (NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 6:40 (NIV) For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 20:31 (NIV) But these are written
that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by
believing you may have life in his name.
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
1 John 5:11-12 (NIV) And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
When I set about writing this 31-day series of devotionals focused upon periodically checking our hearts and our lives, to take inventory of how we are progressing spiritually, and to identify those areas where change may be indicated—I did so with the thought that perhaps it would be more than preparation for the coming New Year. I thought perhaps it would be a tool useful for any month of the year. That being said, if you are reading this in a month other than December keep in mind today’s devotion was originally written on Christmas Day, December 25th.
In preparation for this devotion, I tried hard to find the first authorship of the phrase, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” or any similar phrase. The earliest references came from 2015 and 2017, although no clear credit was given. I can tell you this, the phrase is as common today as water. It’s printed on cards, t-shirts, ornaments, decorations, and spoken by millions. Yet it falls so inadequately short of the intent for Christ’s coming in human form. Seasons come and seasons go and perhaps this is most convenient for many Christians. We can boldly spout “Jesus is the Reason” because we know that the season will eventually go and we can get back to our normal routines—fishing and sports on Sundays and going to church when we have nothing better to do. That may be a little harsh, but it is sadly reality for many.
Christ is the reason for LIFE—eternal life!
God desires to build an eternal Kingdom of people who voluntarily choose to follow him. The pathway to the Kingdom of God is through salvation by faith, believing in Jesus Christ who sacrificed himself to pay for the sins of the world. This is the way—the ONLY way to eternal life. Life in Christ is not a seasonal option. Life in Christ is the reason for life. It is a daily commitment and not an optional routine of convenience.
Acts 16:31 (NIV) Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…
Romans 10:9-10, 13 (NIV) If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. … Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Resolution: Believe in Jesus Christ
as Lord and Savior—all year.
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Forgive our tendency to get so caught up in the decorations and joy of the holidays that we miss the whole purpose. You sent your Only Begotten Son to be our Savior, to be the means whereby we might obtain eternal life. Oh that we might be as zealous to follow you in the heat of the summer as we are today! We offer our most humble gratitude for your love and mercy.
In the name of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, Amen.
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