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The Real Gift of Christmas – Week 52 – December 24th
“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence
Of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I
have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as
rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not
having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but
that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness
which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the
power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering,
being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain
to the resurrection of the dead.”
Philippians 3:8-11
God sent Jesus into the world that, by His atoning work on the cross, we could be bought back from sin, reconciled to Him, sanctified, declared righteous, made righteous and destined for a new home called heaven. This is salvation, it is why we have a Christmas story worth celebrating and it is the calling placed before all those who embrace Jesus by faith. Paul recognizes that there is nothing on earth that can compete with the glory and joy of this calling. Paul, having seen things unspeakable and full of glory, knew what awaited those who were faithful to Jesus and who consequently made knowing Him the chief joy of their lives. We need to read, hear and meditate on these words of his to the Church at Philippi more than we do. It’s quite possible that the challenges and attractions of this life can turn our gaze away from Christ and thereby distract us from being all that God in Christ wants us to be. To be honest there are far too many of God’s children who are ensnared in this way. They do not particularly sin but they do load up upon their lives encumbrances that retard their ability to be what Jesus wants them to be. We must abandon these!
So, as we celebrate Christmas afresh let’s take stock of our lives and really make sure that we “measure up” to the intention of the wondrous events that took place on that first holy night. For Paul this means:
1. Counting all things as loss. (V8a)
Jesus was the prize that he was constantly setting his gaze upon. All the things of this world paled into insignificance as he compared them to Christ. If we do not have this attitude as well it is because we have not really seen who Jesus is. For some the good things of this life seem more splendid and precious than Christ. Those in this unhappy position are thus guilty of idolatry. Sadly, very often they do not even know it.
2. Counting the knowledge of Jesus as everything. (V8b)
The Christmas story is not about religion but about a relationship with Jesus that is vital, real and true. Paul desired fellowship with Jesus more than anything else in life. Jesus is alive and He can be encountered by faith brought to us by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:3-4). It is no secret what God can do and He does everything by His glorious Son; who longs to have fellowship with each and every one of us. This is why He came into the world and celebrating Christmas without this component is to devalue the glorious Feast. Be sure then to worship and honour Jesus as you enjoy the celebration with your family, friends and loved ones. Read the story of the first Christmas, put yourself in the place of those first observers and feel again the awe of God becoming flesh!
3. Counting the righteousness of Christ special. (V9-10)
Jesus came to atone for all our sins; past, present and future. Upon repentance and faith in His substitutionary work on the cross, God His Father imputes righteousness to us as a gift (Romans 5:1). It is given to our credit even though we do not deserve it; it is God’s grace and only God’s grace that does this. We are thus absolved from His wrath (Romans 5:9) and He deals with us just as if we have never sinned! However, by the life of Jesus in us, we are to embrace God’s righteousness imparted to us (Romans 5:10). Paul longed for this and he knew that his relationship with Jesus by faith could bring this to his heart and life. If we belong to Jesus then we all should have a longing to be clothed with His perfection. This is why He came and indeed those who follow Him should thirst for this righteousness (Matthew 5:6).
For Paul nothing brings one closer to go and to His righteousness than suffering. Many Christians draw away from God in times of trial but for Paul suffering constituted an opportunity to know Christ better (James 1:2-40. He saw suffering as a means to have greater fellowship with Jesus. This is a challenge and we must think carefully about this as well.
In the end Paul knows that being a true Christian will prepare one for the greatest event in human history, the resurrection of the dead! We will all be resurrected one day even the ungodly but their resurrection will secure them a place in hell (Revelation 20:11-15)! Our resurrection will take place when Jesus comes again and then our bodies will finally catch up with our souls and spirits and be clothed with perfection (1Thessalonians 4:13-18). What a day that will be and it is this day that God had in mind when He sent Jesus into the world.
Merry Christmas,
Malcolm Hedding.
©Malcolm Hedding Ministries
2014Devotional