During this time of year, we prepare our hearts for the Christmas season.
The Christmas story will be told all over the world thousands, if not millions of times during the month of December. The faith of Joseph, Mary, the angels, and the shepherds plus others will be recounted, as they heard about the good news of a Savior being born, the gift to all mankind. Their faith in the Lord brought about glory to God and much joy in their lives.
Faith is the first step of obedience, and without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). For example, we think of Mary and the faith she showed when the angel told her that she would give birth to the Son of God in such a miraculous way. She said, "I am the Lord's servant. May it happen to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).
We can also think of the shepherds who rushed quickly to see the newborn babe. When they heard about the good news from the angels, they believed, and their faith was evidenced immediately again after their encounter with Jesus. The Bible says that they went on their way rejoicing and telling many about what they saw and heard (Luke 2:17–20).
Certainly, the focus of the Christmas story has always been these beautiful examples of faith that God's Word has given us, but did you know that God's Word has also given us examples of quite the opposite?
What is the opposite of faith? Many would say that it is doubt, but it isn't doubt. Faith is when we acknowledge that we are helpless, and that God is totally able. Faith is choosing to rest in God's Word and power instead of seeking to be in control.
The opposite of faith is not doubt, but it is control.
When we try to control our own circumstances instead of acknowledging God, by choosing to trust in His Word, we will end up with much stress and lack of joy.
An individual in the Christmas story tried to control circumstances, and his name was Herod. God has left him in the story as a solemn example that we must learn from.
Herod did not want Jesus to be King. He refused to acknowledge that He was, in fact, subject to Lord Jesus, and that the little babe was truly King of the Jews-and yes, even the world.
The thought that another King was born was a great threat to him, and he sought to take control of the situation by ordering the death of hundreds of baby boys (Matthew 2:16–18). No joy was evidenced in his life, and He was certainly very stressed out with jealousy and anxiety concerning the thought of challenges to His authority.
When Herod died, he was probably still an enemy to the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who die rejecting Christ will face eternal judgment for their unbelief in Christ as Savior. Herod wasn't the last to reject Christ, nor was He the last to seek to destroy the Lord Jesus. To this day evil men and women take a stand against God's Word and His work all over the world.
This is where it comes down to the nitty gritty. We need to ask ourselves where we stand in relation to God's Word. Who do you say the Lord Jesus Christ is?
Do you seek to control your own life and, in essence, be your own "god," or do you acknowledge the Son of God as the one who has all authority and has power to forgive sins?
The Bible says we can only have one master, and Jesus said, "If you believe in my Father, you will also believe in me" (John 14:1).
There is no middle ground. Either we are His friend, or we are His enemy. Either we know Him as our own personal Savior, or we are rejecting the salvation that He offers us.
God's word says, "If we have the Son, we have life and we don't have the Son, we don't have life." God has given us His Word so that we can know that we have life (1 John 5:12–13). There is great joy in believing God's Word because in His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). This can only happen when we take our place as the needy, guilty ones and acknowledge Him as all-sufficient Savior.
He isn't a baby anymore lying in a bed of hay, and He isn't on the cross anymore. He is a risen Savior! The Lord Jesus paid the price for your guilt by shedding His blood and suffering the judgment for your sins on the cross. He loves you and chose to suffer death so that you could have eternal life.
Do you believe this? Who is your faith in today?
Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in Him who sent me, has eternal life and will not come into judgment, but has passed from death unto life" (John 5:24).
Becky Kew shares good news at Sandy Bay First Nation, Manitoba, Canada. BeckyKew@ outlook.com.
