"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the holy spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”)."(Matthew 1:20.23)
As I think about the baby Jesus and celebrate of His birth I cannot help but remember what John said about Him...
"Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
We are all sinners in Adam by birth and condemned to death...
"...through one human sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all humanity...through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all..." (Romans 5:12)
Yet by the Grace of God we become saints through the one act of righteousness of this baby boy - Jesus Christ our Lord!
Yet by the Grace of God we become saints through the one act of righteousness of this baby boy - Jesus Christ our Lord!
"...even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all humanity....so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.." (Romans 5:12-21)
"For the GRACE of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all humanity...and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..." (Titus 2:11; 1 Timothy 1:14-15)
The baby grew up, saved sinners in His blood shed for us, returned to heaven - and He is coming back again - soon I hope!
Merry Christmas Humanity - Sinners by Birth, Saints by Grace!