By SCOTT ADAMS
Lake Mead Baptist Church
This Advent season we have looked at various reasons that Jesus came to earth in the Gospel of John.
In John 12:44-48, we see that Jesus came to save the world. This is the gift of Christmas, the ultimate gift from God: Salvation! While this gift is available to mankind, it is not automatic. Just like gifts you get on Christmas day, you must receive and open the gift to truly enjoy the gift.
In John 12:44-48 there are few things we need to understand about this ultimate gift.
First, salvation only comes through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Salvation is not something you can gain on your own or work to achieve; it is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:4-9). Jesus tells us that those who believe or see Him have also believed and have seen the Father. The reason that He says this is that He is the Emmanuel, which means God with us. In John 10:30, He declares that He and the Father are one. In various places throughout the New Testament Jesus declares Himself God. Therefore, to not believe in Jesus is to reject God and salvation. In John 8:24, Jesus tells the religious leaders that they will die in their sins because they do not believe that “I am He.” It is faith in Jesus Christ that brings us salvation (John 3:16) and to reject Jesus is to reject God (Luke 10:16). Salvation has been bought for us through the death of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1 and 5:8-9) and it is received by placing our faith in what He did on the cross.
Second, Jesus shines His light into our life. The light of Jesus is like a double-edged sword. It shines light into our life to guide us, but it also reveals the sin in our life. We see in John 3:19-21 that our reaction to the light tells us to whom we belong. The light of Jesus clearly reveals our evil deeds. When our evil deeds are revealed, either we will see our need of a Savior and turn to Christ, or we will run from the light because we don’t want our evil deeds revealed. As a Christian, His light will guide you throughout your life and continue to reveal the depths of your sin. This continually drives us to remember that Jesus paid for our sins on the cross and He gives us the righteousness that we need to enter heaven (Matt 5:17; Rom 5:17-19; Phil 3:9). This light is there to make sure that we are in a constant state of celebration and praise to the Lord, knowing that we can’t save ourselves, but in His mercy and grace He freely gives us salvation. As you open and read the Bible, do you allow the light to shine in your life, or do you run from the light?
Third, Jesus tells us that He did not come to judge the world but to save the world. Although Jesus is judge (John 5:22), His coming on the Christmas morning was not to judge but to offer the free gift of salvation. The question that we all must ask ourselves is will we accept the gift that He offers? Will we run from His light or toward His light? Salvation is free but it is not automatic. You must place your faith in Jesus Christ. You must trust that what Jesus did on the cross was all you need for salvation.
It is the prayer of Lake Mead Baptist Church, that you will realize Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, that you will let the light of Jesus Christ shine upon your life, and that you will turn toward Him and accept His free gift of salvation this Christmas day. May the Lord pour His grace and mercy upon you all this Christmas.
