There is a sad realization that I have come to this last year. So many claim Christ’s name, Christian, but in reality, they hate Him. They rebuke and disdain those who celebrate these things at any mention of Christmas, the Gospel, or even Jesus’ birth. What they love is their religion and not the Prince of Peace. They love their own ways, not the King of kings and Lord of lords. It quickly becomes clear they do not have a heart that loves.
The actual reality of it all is that they love religion and not “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Please take a day of personal reflection to evaluate yourself to make sure you do not love the man-made model of the church rather than Jesus, who is the head of the Church. Then turn from your sins, repent, and do not be the people Jesus is talking about below.
Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:21-23
It is always a good idea to test yourself to see if you are without love, compassion, and peace because of this day called Christmas. Do feelings of anger, offense, or even embarrassment surface when people mention Jesus’ birth, Christmas, or the saying “God bless you”? Or when the mention of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, sin, hell, or judgment comes into the conversation.
Whether Jesus was born on December 25th, historically, or if Christmas was about Him from the beginning. It is all about what your heart makes of it. Just as what your heart does with the Savior of the world any other day of the year. Do you worship Him and obey His Law, or do you turn to do your own thing?
Perhaps it is time to search your heart to see if what flows from it is good or bad. Let it be called a day of personal reflection when you look at your own heart and ways in the light of His truth, just as the Word of God instructs us.
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect Law, the Law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1:19-25
Everyone fails and falls to sin; this is an indisputable fact. Therefore, everyone needs daily repentance and to come to the feet of Jesus in humility because of the Laws of God they have broken. I advise you to be a wise person and evaluate yourself rightly. Turn from idolatry that includes listening to any man without testing them by God’s Word. Many deceivers in these last days desire to lead many more astray. Remember, we will all be judged according to God’s righteousness.
“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:43-45
Turn to Jesus so He may forgive, lift you from the depths of religion, heal you, and change your heart. He will make you fruitful to produce good fruit instead of bad. So that mercy, grace, and joy flow to others instead of contention and strife.
Every second of the day, you choose to do what is good or evil and follow God or the Devil. That sounds harsh, but it is the hard truth. Either you do life God’s way or the Devil’s. There are only two paths to walk in this life. It is your choice, the path to Heaven or Hell.
Choose God’s way, Heaven, and reward. Choose life, light, and love. Not everyone will believe what you do, but we will all be responsible for ourselves. No man will give an account for anyone else to Jesus. God knows who is His and who is not. But I say to you, seek the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and you will not be ashamed when you stand before Him in judgment.
Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:10-12
The Soul Sower 