Perspectives by Rev. Clarence Witten

November 21, 2012 Editor Opinion

 

A Christmas Challenge

So, are you ready for Christmas? That may seem like a dumb question (especially for those of us who do things last minute), but it’s pretty obvious that Christmas preparation is in full swing. 

People are out shopping (no doubt a few of you keeners are all done yours). The decorations are up. Lots of you have been wisely using these lovely fall days to put up your outdoor lights. (Thankfully I leave most of mine up all year; it’s the red neck in me).

Soon we’ll be into the thick of the Christmas parties, concerts, and other family get togethers. Christmas may be a great time, but it’s also a busy (and at times, stressful) time. It’s also, may I add, expensive. 

I read a recent survey that says that we spend on average about $600 on food, gifts, and entertainment. And it’s more like $1,200 when travel is factored in. Ouch.

Even though we’re plenty busy with all of this over the holidays, let me throw out a challenge. Whether we’re religious or not, attend church or not, I would think that most of us know that Christmas has something to do with Christ. 

So here’s the challenge. How about a little bit of going back to the roots of Christmas? Of checking out where all the fuss started. Who is this Christ? Why do we celebrate his birth?

Sure, we’ve heard things about him. He may even be part of our vocabulary. But how much do we really know about who he was and what he did?

Hence the challenge. Do you have a Bible somewhere? Pick it up and over the next month read the book of John (you’ll find it listed in the index).

Let’s see, early on you’ll discover that he never came to condemn this world, but to save it. A chapter later he tells us that he came to quench a deep thirst that we have. Then a bit later he makes this incredible statement that he came so that we’d have life, but not just life, something he calls a “full life” (or in other accounts, “abundant life). In the next chapter he promises to take care of the ‘death’ problem. “He who believes in me will live, even though he dies,” he says.

And the stories go on. There’s one about him stripping down and washing his disciples’ stinky feet. There’s these amazing stories of him doing miracles like feeding 5,000 men (plus women and children) with five loaves of bread and two fish. 

And it all ends with him dying and being raised from the dead.

Let’s see. There’s about a month left until Christmas and there are 21 chapters in this book called John. That should make reading it doable. 

Are you up to the challenge? Go for it. If you need a Bible, I’d be glad to hand deliver one to you (just write pastorccrc@ripnet.com)

Sure, I admit, I’m biased. But I think when you read the story of Jesus Christ you will be intrigued. Fascinated. 

If you already know him, you’ll love him all the more. If you don’t yet know him, you may very well be drawn to him.

Pastor Clarence Witten

Community Christian 

Reformed Church

Dixon’s Corners

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Perspectives with Rev. George Frey

November 28, 2012 Editor Opinion

Your New Life!

It is my sincere hope that you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior and the Lord of your life. The Bible teaches us in Romans chapter 10, verse 9, that “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (esv)

Your continuing belief that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead as the Bible teaches, and your continuing confession that Jesus is the Lord of your life, gives evidence of your salvation. It’s not the only evidence but it is a first evidence.

According to the bible we are responsible to be sure of our salvation. 2 Peter 1:10a says, “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election … (esv).”

Election simply means being chosen by God. Everyone that is saved has been chosen by God. But this text makes each Christian responsible to use all diligence to further confirm that he/she is actually chosen by God.

According to verses 5 thru 7, here in 2 Peter 1, we may confirm that we are chosen by God, by adding certain qualities to our initial faith. But it is not just the adding that is in view, but rather that which these additions enable the Christian to do, namely “never fall.”

Peter goes on to say in verse 10, “for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.” So it is the adding of the listed qualities that secures the believer against falling from his/her initial belief and confession of faith as stated in Romans 10:9.

Consider the eighth verse, part a, of 2 Peter 1, “if these qualities are yours and are increasing …” This phrase brings into view the idea of ownership; these are no longer just qualities listed in your bible, but they are to be your qualities; qualities possessed by you within your personal character and value system. You are to willfully add them to your character in Christian obedience to the scriptures.

Furthermore these qualities are possessions that are subject to increase while in your possession; and indeed the expectation of the text is that they are both possessed and increasing. 

Without this increasing possession the believer will not be effective and fruitful as a Christian, because it is the qualities themselves, possessed and increasing, that “keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

The phrase “keep you from” in this quote, indicates a disabling of the “ineffective or unfruitful” feature, that is sometimes found in the Christians life.

There is so much more that might be said concerning this passage, however I must commend you to a scripture meditation on 2 Peter 1:2-13.

I share in the admonition of Peter, intending “always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.” (2 Peter 1:12)

 

Rev. George T. Frey, 

Faith Christian Center, 

Morrisburg, 514-767-7720, www.faithchristiancenter.ca www.faithlifebookstore.com 

 

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