CHRISTMAS CONFESSION

CHRISTMAS CONFESSION

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Luke [ESV] 9:26 [Jesus explained] For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

Romans [ESV] 1:16-19 [Paul exclaimed] For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith." For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.

Isaiah [ESV] 52:7-8 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the LORD to Zion.

  Arguing for Merry Christmas and against Happy Holidays is one thing, confessing Christmas (i.e. Christ-worship) is quite another.

  God’s Word tells us that characteristic mark of a believer (i.e. Christian) is verbal public confession: "The Word is near you, even in your mouth and in your heart"; that is, the Word of Faith which we proclaim; Because if you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Everyone believing on Him shall not be put to shame." For there is no difference both of Jew and of Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call on Him. For everyone, "whoever shall call on the name of the Lord will be saved." How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without preaching? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?" Then faith is of hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Rom.10:8-17)

  How easy it is to speak His name in Sunday School, Bible study group, church congregation, Christmas carols, and in writing devotional thought.

  Ah, but what of place outside of religious settings?

  Apart from pious comfort zones . . . will we speak of baby or adult Jesus on even so much as the day celebrated as His birthday?

  Let us say “Merry Christmas” … good, but to what end?

  Believing in our heart, let us stand on beautiful feet (Rom.10:15) saying “Jesus is Lord” … someone just may believe our report and receive Jehovah God’s Christmas gift.  EBB4