ANSWERING CHRISTMAS QUESTION

ANSWERING CHRISTMAS QUESTION

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

  Yesterday I asked “Can one have authentic Christmas without personal resurrection?”

  All responders correctly said No, you cannot.

  Christmas, Christ-mass, means Christ-worship, the worship of Lord Jesus Christ. Unless we are resurrected we can authentically worship Him acceptably. (Mt.7:13-29; Jn.3:3)

  Resurrection of and for those worshipping Christ is indeed a future physical event, but it is also a present spiritual event that should define every aspect of our present life while awaiting completion. This should always involve answering life-questions by investigating and pondering what God tell us through His Word Living and written.

  To aid you during this busy calendar I’ve provided some pertinent Bible passages. Read on. Be blessed. If need be, trust and embrace Christ’ resurrection.  EBB4

Romans 10 [NLT]

  [The Apostle Paul wrote] Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. 2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. 3 For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. 4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.

  Salvation Is for Everyone

  5 For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands.[Lev.18:5] 6 But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’ (to bring Christ down to earth). 7 And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead?’ (to bring Christ back to life again).” 8 In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.”[Deut.30:12-14]

  And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 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. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”[Isa.28:16] 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[Joel 2:32]

  14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him?

Ephesians 2 [NLT] [True Romans 12:1-3 worshippers are made alive with Christ.]

  [Paul explained] Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

  4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

  8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 5 [NLT] [True 2Corinthians 5:14-21 believers live a resurrected life.]

  [Paul exhorted] 5 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

  3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

  6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. [1Thes.5:4-5]