The Christmas festival has begun and whilst people will be getting drunk, opening presents, partying, there are the people of God who will be celebrating Christmas similar to the secular world (without drunkenness) but we will be putting the whole reason we celebrate Christmas at the centre of it. His name is a man you call Prophet Jesus. To a Christian he is our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the great I AM who came into this world to die for our sins and bring us into a relationship with God.
The whole reason I am writing this letter is we both believe in Jesus in similar ways like the virgin birth, his miracles, messiah, prophet etc. But we also have differences such as we believe he was crucified, rose again, was the divine Son of God (God).
Christmas makes me think of Islam; you may think I am crazy for thinking this, but on a secular basis without Christ being at the centre it really does. The worrying part of Christmas is children believe if they are good they will get a reward (presents) from Santa, but if they are bad; then they will not get a reward. This is very similar to Islam, because if you are a good Muslim you will reach Jannah (heaven), but if you are a bad Muslim then you shall not be rewarded Jannah.
Good and bad deeds is how the world goes round, it is the world view on how life should be, but is it justice? A court case is justified by a wrong doing not a good deed, you could of done many good deeds, but stealing that £5000 from a bank is going to cost you.
This same framework is similar to the God of the Bible. If you do nothing wrong then yes you can go free and heaven is it at your feet, but if you do just one thing wrong you are under the wrath of God and he is the judge who will being justice.
Jesus tells us a parable of a young rich man who wanted know how to get eternal life if heaven.
Luke 18
Jesus is teaching us that to get into heaven we have to be perfect under the law of God, but we are not perfect, as Romans 3 teaches
Therefore we are all under the wrath of God. Justice is not about good and bad deeds, as it is not fair. Some people may have more opportunities to do good than others, meaning more chance of them having more good deeds than bad deeds to reach heaven. With the change is subjective moral values in different cultures over time, good deeds change on a human basis, but that does not mean its good to God, so how do we know what is good and bad? unless we just use what the law of God teaches period.
Sin has to be punished, like a person being justified in a court room, pleading for justice, they have to be justified for their wrong doing. What they have done good, does not come into play. The God of the bible does not just sweep sin under the carpet , it is very serious.
So what do we do if we have all fallen short and punishment is at are doorstep? JESUS CHRIST are redeemer paid the price for us. The divine Son of God entered his own creation, taking on the form of a man, being in the very nature man and God (philipians 2) to die for our sins ( bad deeds), so that we could go to heaven.
Jesus voluntary gave up his life (philipians 2), he was not forced by the father and the father did not kill him. Justice of Sin has now been vindicated through the blood of Christ for past, present and future sins, so that when God judges us for who ever believes in him he will see Jesus and what he did for you and me.
Romans 3
All to the glory of God, Amen
The whole reason I am writing this letter is we both believe in Jesus in similar ways like the virgin birth, his miracles, messiah, prophet etc. But we also have differences such as we believe he was crucified, rose again, was the divine Son of God (God).
Christmas makes me think of Islam; you may think I am crazy for thinking this, but on a secular basis without Christ being at the centre it really does. The worrying part of Christmas is children believe if they are good they will get a reward (presents) from Santa, but if they are bad; then they will not get a reward. This is very similar to Islam, because if you are a good Muslim you will reach Jannah (heaven), but if you are a bad Muslim then you shall not be rewarded Jannah.
Good and bad deeds is how the world goes round, it is the world view on how life should be, but is it justice? A court case is justified by a wrong doing not a good deed, you could of done many good deeds, but stealing that £5000 from a bank is going to cost you.
This same framework is similar to the God of the Bible. If you do nothing wrong then yes you can go free and heaven is it at your feet, but if you do just one thing wrong you are under the wrath of God and he is the judge who will being justice.
Jesus tells us a parable of a young rich man who wanted know how to get eternal life if heaven.
Luke 18
18 uAnd a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to vinherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: w‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’” 21 And he said, x“All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him,“One thing you still lack. ySell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have ztreasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 23 aBut when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, b“How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus is teaching us that to get into heaven we have to be perfect under the law of God, but we are not perfect, as Romans 3 teaches
Therefore we are all under the wrath of God. Justice is not about good and bad deeds, as it is not fair. Some people may have more opportunities to do good than others, meaning more chance of them having more good deeds than bad deeds to reach heaven. With the change is subjective moral values in different cultures over time, good deeds change on a human basis, but that does not mean its good to God, so how do we know what is good and bad? unless we just use what the law of God teaches period.
Sin has to be punished, like a person being justified in a court room, pleading for justice, they have to be justified for their wrong doing. What they have done good, does not come into play. The God of the bible does not just sweep sin under the carpet , it is very serious.
So what do we do if we have all fallen short and punishment is at are doorstep? JESUS CHRIST are redeemer paid the price for us. The divine Son of God entered his own creation, taking on the form of a man, being in the very nature man and God (philipians 2) to die for our sins ( bad deeds), so that we could go to heaven.
Jesus voluntary gave up his life (philipians 2), he was not forced by the father and the father did not kill him. Justice of Sin has now been vindicated through the blood of Christ for past, present and future sins, so that when God judges us for who ever believes in him he will see Jesus and what he did for you and me.
Romans 3
For there is no distinction: 23 for fall have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 gand are justified hby his grace as a gift, hrough the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God jput forward aska propitiation lby his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in mhis divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Christmas is about celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour who has shown grace, truth and most important his love for us, it is the greatest gift gift you could have for Christmas and it is free.
Romans 10 v 9
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
All to the glory of God, Amen
