Scripture Text: Romans 16:25-27 NLT
25 Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret (A Mystery) from the beginning of time. 26 But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. 27 All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.
There are two critical words here: (1) believe (2) Obey. It is Believe and Obey in conjunction with each other. Its not one or the other. No, its Believe and Obey together.
I’ve had people tell me that they don't have to prove anything to me. And you know - they’re right. But if they prove to God that they Believe and that they Obey him I will be able to see it in them.
This is the Christmas Season. We celebrated the Birth of this one Person that seeks us out (prevenient Grace) and walks with us and talks with us until we can Believe and Obey Him. Maybe at first in baby steps. God through the Gift of Jesus will accept us where we are in our Believing and Obeying him.
One of the first steps in Believing that leads to Obeying God is this one fact. He came to earth as a man, a human being, to walk a journey for us. This Journey started in:
Luke 2:
1At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (They had to go to Bethlehem to register)
6And while they were there, the time came for her (Marys) baby to be born. 7She gave birth to her firstborn son (and Gods only begotten Son). She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
8That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Our Scriptures tells us the significance of this Baby called Jesus:
Acts 10:43, NLT
43He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”
Romans 3:23, NLT
23For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
Ephesians 2:8-9, NLT
8God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
--Salvation is a free gift from God to us through this Baby Jesus we are celebrating today.
James 2:18, NLT
18Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
All of this together says one thing plainly:
Matthew 5:16. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The greatest compliment you can give to God is to believe Him and obey Him. God likes to make a spectacle of obedient people because He knows that they desire His favor above the favor of men.
Baby Jesus is the God of CHRISTMAS and our Salvation. Believe and obey Him!
--Tell His story to all that will hear.
