We continue to focus our hearts and attention on Christmas and the Christmas season as we again seek to help keep our minds focused on Jesus’ birth this year. We have already considered recently the fact that Christmas is about Jesus. In fact, we highlighted and celebrated that Jesus Cares and Jesus Saves! Today, we consider the next thought about Jesus as we continue our countdown to Christmas.
FRESH HOPE – JESUS FORGIVES!
The Christmas festivities often bring us around so many people. Our calendars fill with work parties, church functions, extended family gatherings, community events, and so much more. Some of these moments present us with the worst inside us and others — sometimes it even slips out so it is on the outside as well! You know the problem — maybe a misplaced compliment, a poorly worded comment about holiday weight, a former spouse, an unwise uncle, or on and on we could go — whatever or whoever it is that provides for us the opportunity for temptation. We take the bait and choose to grumble or complain or judge or become enraged or gossip or …
The very thing we know that dishonors God, minimizes the birth we celebrate, grieves the Spirit, and frustrates the work of grace in our lives, that is what we do. Now what? We remember that the One we celebrate, our Savior Jesus Christ, also brings fresh hope — Jesus forgives!
You know the problem — maybe a misplaced compliment, a poorly worded comment about holiday weight, a former spouse, an unwise uncle, or on and on we could go — whatever or whoever it is that provides for us the opportunity for… Click To TweetForgiveness is vitally connected to joy.
In 1 John, John connects forgiveness to both fellowship and joy. We enjoy fellowship with God the Father and His son Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3). John describes us as believers who walk in the light as those who benefit from the cleansing of sin by the blood of Jesus (1:7). The purification from sin through Jesus Christ guarantees our fellowship with God. In fact, John makes it abundantly clear that forgiveness is always available. John writes, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). As forgiven people, we enjoy fellowship with God and others who have received the power of forgiveness in their own lives as well. This brings joy (1 John 1:4). This is certainly worth celebrating at Christmas.
Christmas provides us unprecedented opportunities to focus on the forgiveness we have in Christ. It is so sad though when a Christian under conviction of sin fails to enjoy the Christmas season, or even worse, allows a moment of sin to go without confession and repentance. When this takes place, John’s words provide so much help to us. God invites us to turn to Him and promises us forgiveness through Jesus’ blood for our sin. (We receive eternal forgiveness — thankfully! — but this refers to forgiveness between family members where God is our Father and we are His children.)
God desires for you to enjoy Him and other believers. Because of that, John promises two outcomes to our confession of sin. First, he promises that God is always faithful and just to forgive. God forgives the sin that hinders our fellowship with Him and others. Additionally, He promises cleansing from all unrighteousness. God removes the defilement produced by our sin. The impediment of fellowship is cleared away. Where sin and sorrow existed between God, others, and us, they are replaced with the joy of being one in Christ and experiencing the forgiveness of Christ.
Don’t Get Robbed
I have been known to watch a Hallmark Christmas movie or two — and many other Christmas movies. Do you know one of the most common sub-themes? A misspoken word, a misunderstood conversation, or outright sin hinders and destroys the relationship between two or more individuals. This leads to misery. As the audience we see how bad it is. In White Christmas, it is the housekeeper unintentionally lying about the boys who plan to help the General. The problems compound from there.
Do you know what would help us deal with all these issues and help us get through them as smoothly as possible? Understanding and then living in light of the wonderful fact that Jesus forgives. Since He does, it provides us the foundation for us to be able to forgive as well.
Today and throughout the Christmas season, we celebrate the work of Christ — Jesus forgives!
Image Credit Kevin Bidwell
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
