These Things We Write Unto You That Your Joy May Be Full.

(I John 1:1-4)
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. (KJV)

Text:

(John 20:31) These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (KJV)

Here, in miniature, is the purpose of God's Word. It is primarily a revelation of God's plan and will through Jesus Christ. Whether in history, poetry, letter, or theological discourse, God's Word is directed to the presentation of this fundamental idea, "that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God." The whole purpose of God in the world centers in this marvelous fact. Since this is true, it becomes clear why Satan has attacked so bitterly and so persistently the essential deity of Christ as well as the validity of God's Word.

But in the last analysis, this whole matter becomes very personal. It is not to be merely an abstract theological argument. It is rather "that ye might believe . . . and that believing ye might have life." Somehow this great truth must be brought to a very simple, personal level, where I, for myself, believe in Jesus as the Christ, accepting all He claimed He was and all He came to do in forgiving sins and in cleansing from all unrighteousness. Nothing less can give the assurance of eternal life.

As we celebrate His birth today, let us not only honor Him as the Babe of Bethlehem, but more importantly, the Christ...our Redeemer! Christmas time has become a commercial holiday of selfishness and greed so much so that even our own Holiness people have fallen into the trap of substituting Santa Clause and even the "Babe in a Manger" for the Christ of Christmas, Jesus, and God's plan for joy on Earth. There can be no real joy on Earth apart from salvation of Jesus.

Please Pray With Me.

Our dear gracious Heavenly Father, we love you so; you left your place in Heaven, came to this Earth and took on the form of man forever. You lived, died and rose again so that we might have Eternal Life. Oh, what Love...We thank you for that Gift of Joy today. We ask for those today who haven't yet entered into that Joy; help them, dear Jesus, today, to make that choice as we worship you together. In your Name we pray.
Amen.