WHAT THE BIRTH OF CHRIST TELLS US
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (NKJV)
The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ into the world tells us about three very important truths. Knowing this truths and appropriately responding to them will assure us of eternal life. Let us carefully look at each of these truths to enable us to better understand the depth of the Christmas message.
I. THE BIRTH OF CHRIST TELLS US ABOUT THE WORLD First, we must understand the difference between the world and the earth. World (often translated “this age”) refers to the social order and system whereas earth refers to the planet we live on. Paul, quoting David, wrote: “For the earth is the Lord’s, and all it fullness.”
On the other hand, the world hates the things of God. Jesus said "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” John 15:18 (NKJV). Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
II. THE BIRTH OF CHRIST TELLS US ABOUT OURSELVES It tells us that mankind was lost and hopelessly separated from God… “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 Furthermore, it tells us that we were “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1) and there was nothing we, in and of ourselves, could do to alter our condition.
Consider Titus 3:3-7: ”For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
III.THE BIRTH OF CHRIST TELLS US ABOUT GOD “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10 (NKJV)
The Greek word "hilasmos" is translated “propitiation” (“atone, or to cover”), and rightly so, but it also carries the thought of “expiation” (to extinguish the guilt). For God to treat our sins, as despicable as they are, as though they had never been committed, speak volumes concerning His amazing grace!
