Let the love and peace of Jesus rule in your hearts. Get to know your Lord God and Saviour "through the tender mercy of our God, which by the dawn from on high has visited us." (Luke 1:78) Through His tender mercy is the free grace and abundant mercy of our Lord God and Saviour available to each and every one of us who asks Jesus into our hearts. And personally accepts the gift of salvation through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
For it was mercy that moved God to enter into a covenant that included the most high God becoming flesh as one of us and shedding His blood on a cross for the remission of our sins. His abundant and eternal love in which forgiveness of sin is promised. It was the mercy of God -- His love -- for us that led the one who created us in the beginning to become a lamb for a sacrifice. (I Peter 4:1-10)
This is why as believers in Jesus we continue in the faith -- grounded and settled -- in His love. It is also why we choose not to move away from the hope of the gospel that is Jesus Christ. Even the mystery which hath been hid from the ages and from generations until now -- this appointed time --- and now made manifest to believers in Jesus. His saints "to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of the mystery among the Gentiles" - you and I - which is Christ in you -- the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:23-26)
This same Jesus - which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fades not away -- reserved in heaven for you and I.
This same Jesus - whom the apostles preached to every man and woman that they met, teaching the same wisdom so that we may present every one of these perfect in Christ Jesus.
James 5:19-20 states, " if any err from the truth and one converts him, let him know that he which converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death and hide a multitude of sins." Note that the scriptures state that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Indeed, not one of us could make it on our own.
This is why the birth of Jesus -- God in the flesh -- was necessary. So that we -- having not seen the King of kings in the flesh could still have a personal relationship with Him -- believing and rejoicing with "joy unspeakable and full of glory" -- even the salvation of our souls because of His ultimate gift of love -- the suffering of His only begotten -- Jesus on the cross.
Therefore, be filled in your hearts with His joy. Set your affection on things above, not on the things of earth. Put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him. Rejoice inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings that when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy. The exceeding joy of Jesus - the "happy are ye" that is spoken of in I Peter chapter four.
Put on too -- as the elect of our Lord God and Saviour -- holy and beloved -- the deep depth of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness and long suffering. And above all these things put on charity which is the bond of perfectness. This Christmas season, let the love and peace of Jesus rule in your hearts. Grace unto you and peace be multiplied. Stand in the offering plate.
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