WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS
By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
What do you want for Christmas? Another way of putting it, would be, “What do you need for Christmas?” Donna and I tell our family, “We don't need anything. We have everything we need.” Of course, we understand our family gives us things because they love us!
And that is the way it should be! Donna loves to knit, and the mitts and scarves she makes for our grands and great grands, as well as Hope Mission, Mustard Seed and Salvation Army, which helps keep them warm!
We love to unload good quality clothes we no longer need. I recently gave away my 'like new' heavy felt-lined boots I had bought in the Hudson Bay Store in Northern Ontario, forty years ago. They will keep someone's feet really warm!
GOD'S GIFT TO THE WORLD!
Christmas is a time of giving and receiving, because God gave His only begotten Son to the world more than 2,000 years ago! St. Paul gave thanks for Jesus Christ, “that Unspeakable Gift.” (2 Cor. 9: 15).
The Bible states: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have Everlasting Life. For God sent not His Son into the world to destroy the world but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16,17).
Jesus gave Himself freely as our substitute to Redeem us from our sins and to Reconcile us to His Father in Heaven! St. Paul declared: “I have been crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20)
“Christ hath REDEEMED us from the curse of the law being made a CURSE for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one who hangeth upon a tree (cross). That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive of the Spirit through faith.” (Gal.3:13,14).
Even so we, when we were children, we were in bondage after the elements. But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To REDEEM them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Gal. 3:9; 4:4-6)
SALVATION THROUGH CHRIST'S BLOOD!
St. Peter stated: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold, from your conversation (lifestyle) received by tradition from your fathers; but with the Precious BLOOD of Christ as a Lamb without blemish and without spot, who was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
“Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God, being Born Again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideh forever.” (1 Peter 1:18-21, 23)
Jesus said: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh. And that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”(John 3:3, 6,7).
What the world desperately needs is Jesus Christ, who meets every need confronting us today! The Holy Spirit of God is constantly searching for lost souls! Will you answer the call today while calls you unto Himself? Jesus invites: “Behold, I stand at the door (your heart's door) and knock: if any man will HEAR My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with Me.” (Rev. 3:20). Amen.
