Take It Personally

It may not be a popular thought at Christmast-time, but the very fact that Jesus came assumes something about us as individuals. It assumes we ares sinners in need of him coming. It assumes we are sinners in need of a Savior.

And that need never ends. We don’t pray a prayer one day in church and then have that need met once and for all. Yes, we are forgiven from our sins, but God’s love doesn’t leave as just forgiven. His love then goes to work on our hearts, saving us from the power that sin has over us, shaping and transforming us into the image of Christ.

So Christmas is a celebration of Christ’s Rescue Mission, and it is also a sobering indictment of our continual and constant and desperate need for his grace. We need Jesus every day to save us from our self-centered, self-exalting, self-glorifying flesh.

And so my encouragement is to take some time today to confess the areas of your life that are still in need of his saving work, ways that your pride and selfishness & doubt still manifest. Maybe it's bitterness toward a spouse? Or self-righteousness toward a co-worker? Or shame from a recent mistake? Or the need to control a situation that is not yours to control? 

Jesus invites us to trust him every day as our Savior. It's good news every day. 

The question is - are you taking his offer personally? 

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6).

Listen to this song: Broken.