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"Oh, Come Let Us Ignore Him"
by Robert Driskell The Christmas season is here once again. It is a time when Christians turn their hearts and minds to the celebration of the birth of their Savior. Meanwhile, others turn their hearts and minds to everything BUT Jesus, some publicly voicing their opposition to any mention of Jesus' name. It is amazing to realize that so many people thumb their noses at the one and only Answer to the world's problems. These people would rather indulge in their own pursuits and build their own personal kingdoms than submit to the lordship of the Creator of the universe. However, when man chooses his own way instead of God's way, the consequences are grave: There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25 ESV) When humanity is left to decide on its own what is right or wrong, what is good or bad, or what is just or unjust, it is a case of the blind leading the blind. Mankind without God is motivated by pure selfishness. Even unbelievers agree (intentionally or unintentionally) with this premise when they state that man evolved through "survival of the fittest". The very idea of "survival of the fittest" rules out selflessness. If it were not for the superintendence of God's Holy Spirit at work in the heart of every man (John 1:9; 16:7-11), we would all be at each other's throats trying to take what we want by force. The Bible says that everyone knows that God exists. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:19-20 ESV) The only reason not everyone believes in God is that they willfully suppress what they know to be true: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. (Romans 1:18 ESV) Unbelievers choose to live according to their own selfish lusts and desires. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. (Romans 1:21-23 ESV) God loves humanity enough to send His Son to die on a cross in order to pay for our sins. He offers us forgiveness, freedom, and the promise of an eternal existence with Him if we will simply surrender our selfishness and worship Him with the worship that is rightly His. The reason we give gifts at Christmas is to commemorate the Gift that God gave us in His Son. It is my prayer, this Christmas season, that everyone would accept the gift of salvation that God offers to every person. There is no better gift one could ever hope to receive. God offers it freely to all. We should be adoring Jesus instead of ignoring Him. That is how God meant for us to live. Seeking to introduce people to Jesus Christ and to help them become "transformed by the renewing of their mind." Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |