Skip to main content

Believe to Receive

Santa Claus traverses the globe to give good children everywhere toys and gifts on Christmas Eve.  The rest of the year he and his merry elves plan and prepare. They have much to do to spread so much joy in one evening.  

Santa and his elves' sole focus is giving. They are driven by generosity. In exchange, they expect nothing but maybe get some cookies, a glass of milk, and a carrot for the reindeer at the homes they stop.  It's simple- be a good kid and get the present.  

It seems simple. Do something and get something. It's a classic reward cycle. 

But wait there's a catch. As the saying goes, *You must believe to receive." Only those who believe in Santa will get the gifts the elves worked so hard to build.  It seems simply being a good kid isn't enough.  

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”- Acts 16:31 NIV

Belief is the starting point for both Santa and Jesus.  However, with Jesus that's it.  You don't have to be a good boy or girl to get His gift,like you do to get a gift from Santa. The only way to receive the gift of salvation is by believing in Jesus. That's it.  That's all that is required.  

We confess our faith in Jesus and receive the gift of salvation He provides to us.  He's already paid the price.  As disciples we then try to live in a way that honors Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. We don't do it because we need to to earn a gift like the children trying to avoid Santa's naughty list. Our gift was given before we ever breathed the air of this world. Our gift is received by faith. Our works bring glory to the giver of this incredible gift.  

In just a few days we will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and the gift our God gave to us. It is one that many of us may feel we don't deserve.  It's a gift that some of us may think requires us to improve ourselves before we accept it. We think we need to clean up our act before we are worthy.

STOP IT!  

As we celebrate the helpless savior infant entering this world, understand you are just as powerless as a newborn baby.  Just as that baby needed Mary and Joseph to take care of Him so He could survive and grow, we need our Heavenly Father.  On our own we can't get better.  We are unable to wash ourselves clean of the effects of our sin.  Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse us and restore us as children of God. He deems us worthy and all He asks for is us to believe to receive. 

One silent night, hope and joy were born in a place fit for beasts. Believe as the shepherds and wise men believed.  The gift of salvation and restoration await. Only through Jesus can we be transformed from sin-filled beasts to fully forgiven Children of God. 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.- Isaiah 9:6 NIV

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Matt





Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bold Like Stephen

I've always admired people who aren't afraid to be bold in their convictions.  It is the kind of boldness that allows them to stand out in the crowd. There is just something different about how these people view and engage the world around them.  The movie “Hacksaw Ridge” portrays a man that exemplifies what I mean by bold.  He was drafted to serve in World War II but refused to bear arms because of religious reasons. Yet, he still managed to receive the Congressional Medal of honor. Without a weapon in his hand, he saved 75 men in the Battle of Okinawa. Despite his objection to violence, he still served his country. Despite his objection to war he found a way to love his neighbor. He was bold.  When I think of bold in the Bible, I think of Stephen. Acts 6:8 says, "Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people." Stephen faced opposition to his teachings. Those that opposed his teachings couldn't ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Do the Work

Sometimes I sit down to write and it just seems like I am trying to write with a pen without ink. There is simply nothing productive coming from the activity. Other times, God just pours it out on me. The ideas flow and the message comes together with ease. More often than not it's the former rather than the latter. It seems God likes to make us work for it. The ones I have to work a bit harder on become the ones I like the most. I think we appreciate the things we have to work for more than the things that come easy. Our LifeGroup recently read about the Miraculous Catch of Fish. You know the story where Peter and his buddies have been out fishing all night and came back to shore completely empty handed. That next morning, Jesus asks them to take him out in the boat. Once out on the water, He has them put the nets back down and they bring in loads and loads of fish. So many fish that two boats almost sank.  I guess Jesus could have just made the fish jump into th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Welcome Children

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to Him, and placed the child among them. And He said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." - Matthew 18:1‭-‬5 NIV This past Sunday was simply life-giving at Westside Christian Church. The energy and excitement were palatable. My daughter couldn't wait to get to church. She was excited to worship with her friends and have fun together afterwards.   With the VBS takeover, the church was packed! Sure there were a few seats open, but there was a line of people standing in the back. It is safe to say it was "standing room only". Fitting with the story of Zacchaeus that Pastor Russ shared.   Jes...
Post a Comment
Read more