Where would we be without the Lord Jesus Christ?
Don’t know about you, but I would be incredibly insecure!
Both you and I know that Jesus Christ is the most important person ever to walk the earth and the halls of heaven. But, have you ever stopped to consider what life would be without Him or even if life would still BE? Been on a kick to watch Christmas movies lately, but then a few days ago I started viewing WWII documentaries on YouTube. What a contrast!
In my mind are images of a manger, animals in a stable, poor parents of the Son of God who are probably not fully aware of what of the meaning of what is happening. I see shepherds, wise men, cruel kings and the slaughter of innocents in Bethlehem. Then I consider the WWII videos of the carnage of war, but it is so distant from me that I can watch some of it without flinching, without weeping. But much of it staggers my thoughts and breaks my heart.
How much do we need Jesus? How important was/is His coming to earth? He is absolutely vital to the survival of the human race. We would not have made it this long, come this far, survived the centuries had He not come, lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sin, risen from the dead, and brought salvation and forgiveness to millions.
Consider the brutality of war, the death of millions, most of whom were civilians. I am one who believes that it must have been fought because of the advance of evil and totalitarianism on several continents. Studying the contrast of the way godless dictators set policies to eliminate Jews, Christians, homosexuals, the infirm, blacks, gypsies, and prisoners of war makes you wonder where such evil could have originated. Though perpetrated by men, the origin was in the heart of Satan himself who was both a liar and murderer from the beginning. His evil, God-hating, lying influence was seen clearly in war.
Men who are lost and bound in trespasses and sins and without the controlling power of the Spirit of God within can and will do just about anything if they believe they can control the outcome and not suffer for their sin. Just look around and see what is happening in our own world today. Persecution of Christians, trafficking in human beings for sex or slavery, drug smuggling and abuse, families degenerating into tangled repositories of loneliness, Immorality displayed and celebrated, and cultures characterized by what Jesus said in Matthew 24:12 – “Because of the increase in wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.”
But because Jesus came as an infant, lived a sinless life, died on the cross as a substitute for sinful mankind, we have hope and power to live loved and give love freely…starting in our own homes. Jesus Christ has not stopped wars on earth..yet. But He promises He will. When the fullness of time comes and He returns, we who are alive and remain will be caught up with Him to ever be with the Lord. (I Thessalonians 4:17) I don’t know when, and apparently neither does anyone else…know the exact date or time, but here is what I do know. He is coming back!
Until that time, you and I are very important in His plan to prepare for His coming. We are so important that God has saved you by grace through faith in order that we (you and I) can be His men – His women to stand for Jesus, to love others even our enemies, to train up our children to love and serve Jesus, and to mentor others who may have no other help to thrive rather than just survive in the world – until He comes.
Are we walking and living in the power of God’s Holy Spirit? Do you know how incredibly vital your life is in its potential impact for God and for good in this world? None of us is an vital to the world as Jesus is, but our living powerfully in the freedom Christ offers is so very important to those whose lives we touch. Yes? Yes!