This is how Christmas means “God is love.”
Christmas is not about a reindeer, it’s about a Redeemer.
There is a message from God in all of the FedEx, UPS, and Amazon trucks circling our neighborhoods: “I love you.”
“God is love.” (1 Jn,. 4:16)
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (Jn. 3: 16)
Santa is passing by my house on a firetruck as I write these words. How appropriate!
Don’t get confused. The world is missing the message.
“God loves you.”
These thoughts about the love of God are in my mind this Christmas:
1. God is looking for children to show them His love.
My oldest son, Joel, just had his first child at 46. His whole life has changed! He’s caught up in the sounds and smiles of a little man named “Leo.”
God gave us that desire to parent. He is a Father. His greatest desire is to have children and show them His great love.
2. God sent Jesus to give us a whole new life.
“In this, the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might LIVE THROUGH HIM…” (1 Jn. 4:9)
That baby in the manger was a “special delivery” from God the Father, saying, “I love you, and I’m sending my Son to give you a brand new life.”
3. Jesus on the cross was God saying, “I love you.”
“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us.” (1 Jn. 3:16)
When Jesus was nailed to the cross, with every gasping breath He was saying, “God loves you.”
Without the shedding of Jesus’ blood, we could not receive the forgiveness of sin.
4. God sent Jesus to destroy the works of the devil.
We all know that Satan deceived Adam and Eve and stole away their fellowship with God. He controls every human being from the moment of birth.
“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 Jn. 3:8)
Christ came to free us from Satan’s bondage. If you suffer from bondage to any habit, addiction, sickness or stronghold God’s love in Christ has set you free!
5. God wants to live inside of you.
“God is love. Those who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” (1 Jn. 4: 16)
When you walk through a valley, it helps you so much to know that God “lives in you!” He can never be separated from you when you are in Christ.
“Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8: 39)
6. God wants to remove fear from our hearts.
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” (1 Jn. 4:18)
When you know that God’s love is in you in Christ, there is NO ROOM for fear! God’s love literally CASTS IT OUT. How about some peace for Christmas?
Merry CHRIST-mas!