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Imperfect Christmas Perfect Gift.

Sin: Why Christmas Is for Everyone

By Danny Saavedra

“We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.”—Romans 3:22–24 (NLT)

Every year we celebrate Christmas. It’s a beautiful time of joy and good tidings. We decorate a tree, string up lights, sing beautiful carols, and give wonderful gifts. And every year we Christians like to remind everyone that “Jesus is the reason for the season.” But how often do we truly sit and reflect on why He is the reason for the season. Why is there a season at all? Why did Jesus leave heaven to come to Earth? 

The short answer? Our sin. That’s right, the story of God’s perfect gift to us was set into motion by the very first act of imperfection. You see, the Lord loves us so much. He made us in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:27). We were the crowning jewel of God’s creation, made to glorify Him and enjoy a perfect relationship in His presence forever as His beloved children. This was our destiny, what we were made to experience. It’s what Adam and Eve experienced. They walked with God, talked with God, and enjoyed His presence. They got to live their calling and enjoy the fruits of the Garden (Genesis 2:15–16). But then it all went wrong . . . when the fall happened.  

Adam and Eve allowed their pride and selfish impulses—their desire to be “like God”—to cloud their judgment. And because they allowed themselves to be deceived by the serpent, they, and all of us, fell from grace. In that moment, the apostle Paul tells us, “sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12 NIV). The worst part is that the very thing they were seeking, to be like God, they already had. They bore His image and likeness and His imprint was on their hearts and souls. 

In Sin and Redemption, John Garnier states that, “Sin, thus produces alienation and enmity towards God, or, in other words, a moral separation between the sinner and God, which is spiritual death; and the contrary to this is to be quickened, or given life, i.e., to be reconciled to God.” The sin of Adam and Eve infected all of their children, every single person in human history. It caused a rift, a separation between us and a holy and perfect God. Every child born since then has been born spiritually dead, separated from God—except for One. Thus, if we are born spiritually dead, once physical death has occurred, it becomes a permanent death with no chance for reconciliation. 

In Romans 6:23 (NIV), Paul says, “For the wages of sin is death.” The sin in the Garden of Eden brought immediate spiritual death upon all humanity, and the final debt for one’s sin is the complete death that occurs upon physical death. Thus, in order to cover the debt of sin (which is death), something (or someone) else needed to die in place of the sinner. For this reason, the act of sacrifice became necessary in order to pay for the debt of sin. Why? Because the cost of our sin is death “and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22 NIV). 

The first instance of this is seen directly after the fall. In Genesis 3:21 (NLT), it says, “And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.” You see, in order for God to clothe Adam and Eve and take away their shame, He had to kill an animal, to shed its blood. But here’s the thing, “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4 NIV). It simply wasn’t enough. Only a perfect sacrifice from a perfect, eternal God would do. And this is what makes the Christmas story so powerful!

It’s the moment God’s glorious plan became reality. How? “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV, emphasis added). He paid the wages of our sins, once and for all, in order to give us the gift of God, which is “eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NLT). Because of Jesus, we can glorify and enjoy God even more intimately than Adam and Eve ever could. We not only get to walk with God, but also we have the Spirit of God within us!

When Christmas Comes 7 Day Devotional. Day 7:

O COME, O COME EMMANUEL

I chose this song, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”, because of the times that we live in. Currently, there is a lot happening in Israel. It is important for us as Christians to remember what the Bible says about Israel, in particular in Psalm 122:6-8. God has a great love and a great plan for Israel and we are to love them and pray for their peace. It’s not enough for us to just be in the world and not care about what is happening in it.

During this busy holiday season, remember to gather with friends and family and pray for peace. Pray for the protection of Israel. Pray for those who are hurting, being martyred for their faith, for the orphan, and for the widow. Don’t forget that Jesus handed the keys to you and has made you a steward of this earth. We have a responsibility to be the light, shining in the darkness and release the power of Jesus Christ in all the earth.

To listen to all of Kim Walker Smith’s music on The Overflow please visit http://oflow.it/00ne/pfrqkvZffw

Today’s Devotional Verse

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4‭-‬6 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.53.4-6.KJV

When Christmas Comes 7 Day Devotional. Day 6:

O HOLY NIGHT

Jesus did not just come into this world just to save us from our sins. He came to conquer death, destruction, disease, and any other foul thing the enemy would try to defeat us with. My favorite line of “O Holy Night” is “And in His name, all oppression shall cease.” There is power in the name of Jesus. As Jesus was dying on the cross, the wrath of God was poured out upon him. He became sin itself. When He arose and our enemy was defeated, Jesus gave us life abundantly. This means we don’t have to live a life overwhelmed by depression! This means there is healing from all disease in Christ Jesus! This means we are set free from any chains that would try to hold us down! If you need breakthrough in your life, call on the Name above every other name. Take hold of the promises Jesus has given you. Let the power of the cross wash over you and Jesus’ blood to cover you, setting you completely free.